“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” — Lord Acton

Previously on This Series: Infidelity as the #1 Cause of Divorce

In our last article, we uncovered how infidelity tops the list of marital breakdown factors—driven by emotional disconnect, temptation, and opportunity. With 40% of divorces citing cheating as a primary cause, it’s clear that affairs don’t just “happen”—they build slowly, fueled by emotional needs and unmet expectations.

In this continuation, we explore a potent mix: power, fame, and infidelity—and why high-status individuals are often the most vulnerable to marital failure.

Why Powerful People Are More Prone to Cheat

Powerful and wealthy individuals are more likely to cheat. A 2022 study from the University of Texas found that high-status individuals experience greater temptation due to increased opportunities and entitlement. Public figures like Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton, and Jeff Bezos have all been caught in high-profile infidelity scandals.

Most of us are drawn like moths to the flame of power, mesmerized by the glow of intelligence, charm, and authority. They orbit these leaders, soaking in their aura, whispering praises, hoping to bask in the reflected light. A photograph with such a man isn’t just a memory—it’s a trophy, a silent declaration of proximity to greatness.

The Hidden Vulnerability of Powerful People

When a leader’s ego is stroked by admiration and applause, it swells. They begin to believe their own myth—that they are invincible, untouchable, larger than life. The constant flattery lulls them into complacency. They let their guard slip.

It starts subtly. A lingering gaze. A drink after a long meeting. A client who laughs just a little too warmly. A supplier who offers more than just business proposals. Before they realize it, they are entangled in a web of charm, temptation, and whispered invitations. Deals are sealed not just in boardrooms, but over candlelit dinners. Some come with an unspoken price—loyalty, influence, or even something more intimate.

The Illusion of Invincibility

Powerful men often believe they can have it all—the career, the admiration, the perfect home. But while they conquer corporate battles, their personal kingdoms crumble.

Business trips stretch longer. Dinners at home grow shorter. Conversations with a spouse become transactional—logistics, schedules, bills. And in the spaces they leave vacant, others step in. Laughter is shared elsewhere. Secrets whispered into the ears of someone who listens—not out of duty, but out of desire.

What starts as harmless companionship morphs into something deeper. Acquaintance turns into attraction. Attraction warms into friendship. Friendship burns into romance. And romance? It often crosses that final, irreversible line.

The Emotional Toll of Power

With great power comes great exhaustion. The never-ending demands, the relentless pressure to perform, the suffocating expectations—all of it drains even the strongest. And when a person is drained, their judgment falters.

Fatigue leads to mistakes. Stress clouds boundaries. And when someone offers a listening ear, a comforting word, a moment of understanding—it feels like an oasis in a desert. A weary soul finds solace in unexpected arms. And from solace, the fall is swift.

I once asked my wife, Alison, what she thought about all this. She shrugged and said, “All men are the same. It’s just that powerful ones make the headlines.”

Maybe she’s right. Maybe power doesn’t corrupt—maybe it just magnifies what was already there.

Story: The Politician’s Secret

Xu Maiyong, the former vice-mayor of the capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, was executed for bribery and embezzlement worth more than US$30 million. Nicknaming him “Plenty Xu”, the Chinese press reported that he kept dozens of mistresses

In another bizarre case, “an official in Hubei province was detained on suspicion of strangling his mistress — then pregnant with twins —and dumping her body in a river after she demanded he marry her or pay her US$300,000.”

Key Takeaways: Protecting Relationships Amid Power and Success

No one is immune to temptation, but awareness is the first step toward prevention.

How to stay grounded in the face of power:

✅ Stay accountable through strong friendships and mentors
✅ Cultivate emotional intimacy with your spouse
✅ Recognize warning signs of ego inflation or isolation
✅ Set boundaries with colleagues, clients, and admirers