10. Marie Antoinette’s Charity Work Was Viewed as a Means of Self-Aggrandizement
The story goes that Marie Antoinette, in an effort to identify herself with the underprivileged, lower classes of France, dressed as a milkmaid and went on to milk goats who had been heavily perfumed to hide their “goaty” smell. While that story makes her look even more pampered and out of touch, the fact is that she contributed heavily to alleviating the suffering of the needy, especially children. She helped fund education for poor children and taught her children to care for those less fortunate. However, many people viewed her charity work as nothing but a front to make her look better in the eyes of the public while only caring about herself and personal ambitions.
Hillary Clinton has seen similar troubles, as she was accused of using her charity, The Clinton Foundation, to launder money. The charity focused on efforts that improved child development, especially among children in poverty, as well as healthcare, particularly among those dealing with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones. However, none of the Clintons have received salaries from The Clinton Foundation, and the organization gets better watchdog ratings than the American Red Cross. Still, rumors persist, just as they did for Marie Antoinette.