As with other comprehensive school pupils, low in confidence and difficult to draw her out of herself despite being able to manifestly think on her feet.

BBC: You are in: Education

If my daughter enjoyed herself it was despite me, not with me.

FORBES: The Brutal Results of 72 Hours of Uninterrupted Motherhood

Despite her exploits in print, Hung now finds herself at the vanguard of the new media revolution in China.

CNN: China's fashionably outspoken media mogul

Ms Ratra said her mother "kept herself away from the glamour of the industry despite being one of the top singers of her era as she did not like limelight".

BBC: India singing legend Shamshad Begum dies

After Palin framed herself and McCain as mavericks who do what is right despite taking shots from members of their own party, Biden focused on McCain.

CNN: Biden puts McCain, not Palin, in cross hairs

Despite her growing influence within the opposition, she refused to think of herself as a political leader.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | TIME 100: Corazon Aquino

Despite acknowledging the joint ownership of the situation, McKenna takes responsibility only for herself, singing the line "I think I've got a drinkin' problem" like it's an admission of her own defeat and nobody else's.

NPR: In 'Drinkin' Problem,' an Enabler Finds Clarity

During her job search, she found herself losing out on job opportunities because she lacked the proper experience, despite her education.

CNN: When a degree isn't enough to get a job

Perhaps, despite her strong will and intelligence, Barbara Cartland's human weakness was to see herself as eternally young.

ECONOMIST: Barbara Cartland