From Pope John Paul II to Bob Marley: 10 Famous celebrities who survived gunshots

Fame comes with applause, glitz, and sometimes, unwanted danger. For many celebrities, life in the spotlight has meant dodging more than just paparazzi , some have literally dodged bullets. Whether it was gang feuds, jealous rivals, political attacks, or sheer bad luck, these stars stared death in the face and lived to tell their stories.

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Let’s take a look at some famous faces who’ve survived gun violence , and the shocking stories behind each close call.

1.50 Cent

The Rapper Who Took Nine Bullets and Walked Away Back in May 2000, just days before releasing his debut album, 50 Cent was shot nine times outside his grandmother’s home. Federal investigators linked the attack to associates of the rap label Murder Inc., possibly as retaliation for his song “Ghetto Koran,” which exposed the crimes of drug lord Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.

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The album never saw daylight, but 50 Cent survived, healed, and went on to become one of hip-hop’s biggest icons.

2.Bob Marley

In December 1976, reggae legend Bob Marley planned the Smile Jamaica concert to promote peace amid rising political tensions. But just two days before the show, gunmen stormed his home, shooting him, his wife Rita, and two others.

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Miraculously, they all survived. Despite his injuries, Marley still performed at the concert, saying, “The people who are trying to make this world worse aren’t taking a day off. How can I?”

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3.Fabolous

Rapper Fabolous was shot in the thigh in October 2007 after leaving Sean “Diddy” Combs’ restaurant, Justin’s, in Manhattan. His friends tried to rush him to hospital but were stopped by police — who ended up arresting them for unlicensed firearms. Fortunately, Fabolous made a full recovery and later turned the incident into motivation for his music career.

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3.Lil Wayne

Before the fame, Lil Wayne had a heartbreaking brush with death at just 12 years old. After his mother demanded he quit rapping, a distraught Wayne shot himself in the chest with her gun. Police officers saved his life by driving him to hospital instead of waiting for an ambulance. He later credited that officer, known as “Uncle Bob,” for saving his life and giving him a second chance.

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4.Megan Thee Stallion

In July 2020, a car argument after a party in the Hollywood Hills turned violent when Megan Thee Stallion was shot in both feet. She later alleged that rapper Tory Lanez pulled the trigger. Initially, Megan kept quiet out of fear of police violence, saying, “I didn’t tell them who shot me because I was scared.”

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The case has since gone through lengthy legal proceedings, and Megan has emerged as a powerful voice for survivors of violence.

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5.Tupac Shakur

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Before the 1996 attack that ended his life, Tupac Shakur was first shot five times in 1994 during a robbery at QUAD Recording Studios in New York. The gunmen were never caught. Tupac accused fellow rapper Biggie Smalls of knowing about the attack, which sparked one of hip-hop’s most infamous rivalries.

6.Pope John Paul II

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On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. He spent three weeks in the hospital recovering from wounds to his abdomen and left hand. He offered to forgive his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca, while still in the hospital.

7.Angela Okorie

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Nollywood actress Angela Okorie in July of this year recalled her close brush with death that occurred in 2019 when she got shot by alleged assassins. 

About 10years ago when I was still living in Nigeria, I went to visit a friend of mine. Reaching his House I saw a sick girl out side on the floor helpless. I asked what’s wrong they said she is sick but no money to take her to the hospital. I went inside the room but couldn’t stay knowing that child reminds me of me being kept outside for my body to heal itself because we had no money for hospital. So I came out gave them money and ask them to take the Child to the hospital immediately!!! . They called me that evening that the child has been admitted in the hospital as soon as they reached. They thanked me and off the phone..... 3days latter while I was coming back from the club, I was attacked by gun men who shot at my car and a bullet hit me. The bullet went through my nose and stayed right where you can see on the scan pictures I just posted. And a big piece of glass went into my neck too as u can see on the scan pictures.. we went to 2 hospitals that night only the 3rd accept me.. they were scared I will die on them. I was bleeding like hell... I was coughing out glasses and blood which made me ask the nurses if I will make ? I’m a strong woman but for the first time in my life I asked someone if I will survive!!!!! But I did anyway???????? the next day the little girl I helped called me from her own hospital bed to tell me she prayed for me that her brother told them immediately I was shot to pray for me and she did.. that I shouldn’t worry nothing will happen to me!!! We both recovered and here I am today telling the story... so now if I say thank God for life, you will feel me better .. I am 35 years today thank God for life???? and don’t forget to be good to people, you might just be saving your own life/future!!!!

8. 2Baba (Innocent Idibia)

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Nigerian icon 2Baba is the last celebrity on our list. The talented singer was shot a whooping 22 times and miraculously survived all 22 bullets. The incident happened on Thursday, October 4, 2007 when 2Baba along with his brother, Ifeanyi Odogwu, and friends including singer Faze where attacked by gunmen in their car.

10.David Ortiz

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While at a nightclub in Santo Domingo with his friend Sixto David Fernandez, Dominican-born former Red Sox player David Ortiz was shot in the back by a man who’d jumped off of a motorcycle. He sustained damage to multiple organs but underwent numerous surgeries and recovered. Multiple suspects were arrested for the shooting, which Dominican authorities believe was a paid hit that was meant to take out Fernandez, not Ortiz.

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Each of these celebrities has turned personal tragedy into resilience, using their experiences to inspire others. Their stories serve as reminders that even in the face of danger, survival is possible , and sometimes, strength is born from the darkest moments.