Do you feel lucky punk? 10 extraordinarily lucky people

While there is no definitive answer to this question, both factors play a role in determining an individual's level of luck.

On one hand, there are many instances where individuals seem to have simply been lucky through circumstances beyond their control. For example, someone who survives a natural disaster or accident may be considered lucky simply because they happened to be in the right place at the right time. In these cases, it can be difficult to argue that the individual had any control over their luck.

On the other hand, there are also many examples of individuals who have created their own luck through their actions and attitudes. For example, someone who consistently works hard and takes risks may be more likely to experience good fortune in their personal and professional lives. Additionally, those who maintain a positive mindset and are open to new opportunities may also be more likely to encounter lucky breaks.

Overall, while fate and chance certainly play a role in determining an individual's level of luck, there are also many factors that can be controlled through one's actions and attitudes. Whether someone creates their own luck or simply experiences good fortune through fate, luck can have a significant impact on an individual's life and opportunities.

The concept of luck is subjective and can vary greatly from person to person. However, here are 10 individuals who have been considered among the luckiest people to have ever lived:

1. Frane Selak - Widely regarded as one of the luckiest people in history due to a series of remarkable escapes from death and a subsequent lottery win. Selak's lucky streak began in 1962 when he was on a train that derailed and plunged into a river, killing 17 passengers. Selak managed to escape the wreckage and swim to shore, suffering only minor injuries. The following year, he was aboard a plane that crashed and burst into flames, killing 19 passengers. Selak was able to survive by jumping out of the plane before it crashed and landing in a haystack.

Selak's incredible luck continued throughout the next several decades. He survived a bus crash, a car crash, and an explosion in his own home, among other accidents. However, Selak's luck took a dramatic turn in 2003 when he won the Croatian national lottery, earning him a prize of 1 million euros. Selak later remarked that he was happy to have won the lottery, as it allowed him to finally live a comfortable life after years of near-death experiences.

2.  Tsutomu Yamaguchi – He is another individual who is considered among the luckiest people in history due to his incredible survival of both atomic bombings during World War II. Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima on a business trip when the first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. He survived the initial blast and was able to escape the city but suffered severe burns and injuries. Yamaguchi returned to his hometown of Nagasaki, where he arrived on August 9, just in time for the second atomic bomb to be dropped. Despite being just 3 kilometers from the blast epicenter, Yamaguchi once again survived.

Yamaguchi's incredible survival of both atomic bombings is considered one of the most remarkable stories of luck in history. Despite the horrific injuries he suffered as a result of the bombings, Yamaguchi went on to live a long and productive life, working as a translator and sharing his story with others. His story serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of war, as well as the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Overall, Tsutomu Yamaguchi's story is a testament to the unpredictable and often surreal nature of luck. While some may argue that his survival was simply a matter of chance, others see it as an example of the power of the human spirit to endure even the most unimaginable circumstances. Regardless of the explanation, Yamaguchi's story remains a powerful symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

3.  Violet Jessop – She is often referred to as one of the luckiest people in history due to her incredible survival of three major ocean liner disasters. Jessop worked as a stewardess on board the RMS Titanic, which famously sank after hitting an iceberg in 1912. Jessop was able to survive by boarding a lifeboat, despite being warned by a crew member that she was "lucky to be alive" given that she had also been on board the RMS Olympic when it collided with another ship.

Jessop's luck continued several years later when she survived the sinking of the RMS Britannic during World War I. Jessop once again boarded a lifeboat and was able to escape the sinking ship, which had hit a mine in the Aegean Sea. Despite suffering injuries and trauma from her experiences, Jessop went on to work as a nurse during World War II, where she continued to demonstrate her resilience and strength.

4.  Juliane Koepcke – Her survival of a plane crash in the Peruvian Amazon is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable stories of luck and survival in history. In 1971, Koepcke was traveling with her mother on a commercial flight when the plane was struck by lightning and disintegrated mid-air. Despite being strapped into her seat, Koepcke was able to survive the initial impact and free herself from the wreckage, suffering only a broken collarbone and several other injuries.

Koepcke's incredible luck continued as she managed to survive in the jungle for 11 days before being rescued by local loggers. Despite the challenges of navigating the dense jungle and dealing with her injuries, Koepcke was able to stay alive by drinking water from streams and foraging for food. Her remarkable survival has inspired many, with some attributing her luck to her positive attitude and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.

5.  Roy Sullivan – His remarkable survival of multiple lightning strikes has earned him the nickname "Human Lightning Rod" and a place in the Guinness World Records. Sullivan worked as a park ranger in Virginia, where he was struck by lightning a total of seven times between 1942 and 1977. Despite suffering serious injuries, including burns, hearing loss, and other medical complications, Sullivan was able to survive each strike and continue with his life.

Sullivan's incredible luck has been attributed to a combination of factors, including his height, which may have made him more likely to be struck, and his job as a park ranger, which placed him in close proximity to lightning-prone areas. However, some also believe that Sullivan's positive attitude and resilience in the face of adversity played a role in his incredible survival. Despite suffering from a fear of thunderstorms later in life, Sullivan continued to work as a park ranger and remained an inspiration to many.

6.  Baby Jessica - Also known as Jessica McClure, became one of the most famous survivors of a well incident in history. In 1987, Jessica was just 18 months old when she fell down a narrow well in her aunt's backyard in Texas, becoming stuck at a depth of 22 feet. A rescue operation that lasted 58 hours was launched to try and free her, which involved drilling a parallel hole and then tunnelling horizontally to reach her. After a tense and complex operation, Jessica was finally freed and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Jessica's miraculous survival and rescue captured the attention of the world, and she quickly became a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite suffering from physical injuries and trauma as a result of the incident, Jessica went on to live a relatively normal life, attending school and eventually getting married and starting a family of her own.

7.  Harrison Okene – His survival of a shipwreck off the coast of Nigeria is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable stories of luck and survival in recent history. In 2013, Okene was working as a cook on board a supply vessel when it capsized and sank, trapping him in an air pocket 100 feet below the surface of the ocean. Despite being stranded in complete darkness and isolation for three days, Okene was able to survive by drinking Coca-Cola and eating a few packets of dry goods.

Okene's remarkable luck continued when he was finally discovered by a team of divers who had been sent to recover the bodies of the other crew members. Despite suffering from hypothermia and dehydration, Okene was able to survive his ordeal and eventually returned home to his family, where he received a hero's welcome.

8.  Mauro Prosperi – His survival of a marathon in the Sahara Desert is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable stories of luck and survival in history. In 1994, Prosperi was participating in the Marathon des Sables when he became lost in a sandstorm and was separated from the other runners. Prosperi wandered aimlessly for several days, drinking his own urine and eating bats and snakes to survive.

Prosperi's incredible luck continued when he stumbled across an abandoned Muslim shrine, where he was able to take shelter and conserve his energy. After nine days of wandering in the desert, Prosperi was finally discovered by a nomadic family who took him in and provided him with food and water. Despite suffering from dehydration and hallucinations, Prosperi was eventually rescued by a search and rescue team.

9.  Adam Rainer – His life was marked by a remarkable stroke of luck, albeit in a rather unconventional way. Born in Austria in 1899, Rainer was diagnosed with dwarfism at a young age, which caused him to grow to a height of just 4 feet 6 inches. However, in his early twenties, Rainer experienced a sudden and inexplicable growth spurt that caused him to shoot up to a height of over 7 feet 8 inches, making him one of the tallest people in the world at the time.

Rainer's remarkable change in height earned him a place in the Guinness World Records and made him a celebrity of sorts. However, his incredible luck was not without its drawbacks, as he suffered from a number of medical complications as a result of his abnormal growth. Despite undergoing a number of surgeries and medical procedures, Rainer eventually succumbed to his health problems and passed away in 1950.

10.  Kevin Hines – He is widely regarded as one of the luckiest people in the world, having survived a suicide attempt by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. In 2000, Hines, who was suffering from bipolar disorder, impulsively jumped from the bridge, falling over 200 feet into the cold waters below. Despite suffering from serious injuries, including a shattered spine and pelvis, Hines was able to stay afloat until he was rescued by a passing boat.

Hines' remarkable luck in surviving his suicide attempt has inspired many, and he has since become a prominent advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Through his speeches, books, and other advocacy work, Hines has helped to raise awareness about the importance of seeking help and support for those struggling with mental health issues. Overall, Hines' story is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Overall, these individuals have all experienced incredible strokes of luck that have allowed them to survive against all odds. While luck can be fleeting and unpredictable, their stories serve as a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit.