ProverbHuman NatureAmerican origin1946

Behind every great man is a great woman

Meaning: Significant male achievement typically depends on crucial female support, often unrecognized or uncredited.

Origin: The first known printing is in a Texas newspaper in 1946, where a football quarterback said, "They say behind every great man there's a woman," suggesting it was already familiar. It credits wives and partners with an unseen share in men's success, and has been debated since for keeping women behind rather than beside.

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Browse all tongue twisters →

Keep exploring

Explore all proverbs →