People from all walks of life enjoy the cigar lifestyle. So, it’s no surprise that you’ll also find many political heavyweights who have joined the ranks of brothers and sisters of the leaf. Over the years, many heads of state and other political figures have shown that they, too, live the cigar life. Some of them you’ve probably heard about. A few you may not know yet. So, we created a list of eleven major political players who enjoy good cigars.
Al Sharpton Loves Good Cigars
The Reverend Al Sharpton has been enjoying smoking for over 45 years. It’s a lifetime for many, but not nearly as long as he’s been preaching, battling for civil rights and other causes he believes in. He’s also a member of the Grand Havana Room in New York City. Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Trump, owns the same place.
While never holding office, this cigar lover plays the political game. He also smokes with celebrities and politicos alike. Yet, he is often alone in the Grand Havana Room, simply enjoying a good stick.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Long before he became the Governator of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted some of the best cigar parties in Hollywood. When he wasn’t building biceps as Mr. Universe or starring in the latest action film, Arnold enjoyed one to two cigars a day. He often convinced his fellow co-stars to smoke as well. Today, he still enjoys his favorite Cohiba Cigars whenever he’s not saving the world.
Bill Clinton
The forty-second president, William Jefferson Clinton, enjoys a good stick. He often chewed on one while on the golf course. However, his wife, Hillary, had a hard and fast rule of no smoking inside the White House. Outside though, he smoked them whenever he had leisure time. So you could often find him sporting a Gurkha His Majesty Reserve as often as he could.
In American history, some of the most famous “alleged” use of unlit cigars involves President Clinton and former White House Intern Monica Lewinski while they met in the Oval Office. Rumor holds that Miss Lewinski kept some sticks, among other items, as souvenirs from her private visits to the Oval Office.
Che Guevara Loved Good Cigars
Che Guevara was less known than the man he served during the Cuban Revolution, Cuban leader Fidel Castro. He was Castro’s, right-hand man. Good tobacco was rare during the time. Since Guevara loved nothing more than a good cigar, he went so far as to request cigars as payment for his service. He then handed them out to his men to help them relax. Talk about a man who shares his love of smoking.
Fidel Castro
Not only was he famous as a Cuban dictator, but he was also, by all rights, the only reason the famed Cohiba brand of cigars even exists today. The brand was created specifically for the revolutionary leader in 1966 and was only available to visiting dignitaries as gifts from Castro until 1982.
Fiorello Laguardia
The former New York mayor who battled organized crime in the 1930s and 1940s is iconic for smoking at his desk while handling city business. The notoriously tough-on-crime mayor smoked his sticks with the band still on them. We’re guessing it’s because it made him seem tougher.
General George S. Patton Loved Good Cigars
You can’t talk about powerful and influential men without mentioning the general himself. Patton was such a fan of smokes that he carried them wherever he went, including while leading allied forces to victory across Europe during World War II. There are many tales of Patton puffing away on good cigars while issuing orders to his troops. Rumors suggest that he had a specific troop to carry his humidor wherever he went.
John F. Kennedy Loved Good Cigars
The thirty-fifth President of the United States, JFK, holds fame for two main things regarding cigars. First, he was a big fan of smoking them. He also signed into law the Cuban trade embargo that has made authentic Cuban cigars some of the world’s most sought-after and prized possessions of cigar enthusiasts. They are still illegal to purchase or sell in the United States.
Rush Limbaugh
The outspoken radio show host was an avid cigar fan for much of his life. Although, he supposedly quit smoking altogether in the 1980s. Limbaugh would reportedly light up nicely into his later years. Even after his cancer diagnosis, he was an avid supporter of cigars. He even stated that they were one of the few things he enjoyed. Limbaugh was as outspoken about his happiness with smoking sticks as he was in his political beliefs.
Rudy Giuliani Loves Good Cigars
This former New York mayor, attorney, and outspoken politician is as wild about smokes as ever. He often endorses cigar brands and smokes one whenever he has free time. In addition, Rudy smokes cigars to relax and frequents many cigar bars. You could even spot smoking during his dealings with the forty-fifth president of the United States, Donald Trump.
Ulysses S. Grant
The Civil War general and eighteenth president of the United States is probably the most avid cigar smoker on our list. He reportedly smoked up to 20 sticks a day during the height of the Civil War. As a result of his penchant for fine smokes, he was given beloved brands of cigars as gifts from across the world. Despite his numerous daily smokes, Grant collected so many that he started to give them away as gifts to friends and visitors, according to rumors.
Smokers of the Highest Order
We could go on for days listing politicians and political figures who enjoy cigars. The ones listed above represent some of the most important, impactful, and outspoken cigar lovers the world has ever seen. Many helped shape the landscape of cigars in the United States and elsewhere.
Photo credit: “Al Gore and Newt Gingrich applaud to US President Clinton waves during the State of the Union address in 1997,” by White House Official Site, Uploaded by Kmccoy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
