Robert Ripley remains one of the most fascinating and bizarre characters of the 20th century, having launched a media empire and museum network still thriving today, per PBS. Not surprisingly, Ripley's life proved just as colorful and unbelievable as the brand he forged. According to "A Curious Man: The Strange and Brilliant Life of Robert 'Believe It Or Not' Ripley" by Neal Thompson, the man who based his renown on getting to the ultimate truth behind strange facts nonetheless carefully guarded the details of his own personal life. 

Take, for example, the facts surrounding his birth. Born LeRoy Robert Ripley, throughout his life, he repeatedly claimed to have arrived on the scene on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Moreover, the journalist and world traveler's passport applications (there were many) and other documents corroborate this birthday. Yet he listed various different birth years, ranging from 1891 to 1894. As a result, his authentic birthday and year remain a frustrating mystery.

Why the obfuscation? Because a scandal permeated Ripley's birth, one that required date-rigging. Ripley's parents, Isaac Davis Ripley and Lillie Belle Yocka, married on October 3, 1889. Five months later, the new Mrs. Ripley delivered their firstborn son, LeRoy Robert Ripley. The 19th century didn't look favorably on premarital pregnancy. To avoid getting swept up in a scandal, Robert Ripley adjusted the month, day, and year of his nativity, opting for an unforgettable birthday fit for a one-of-a-kind celeb.

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