Sorry, World: Famous Apologies by High-Profile Figures

Angela Merkel

Ms. Merkel, Germany’s first female chancellor, who led the country from 2006 until last month, was known for her deft stewardship of Europe’s most powerful economy, support for Western democracies and a science-based approach to combating the pandemic. Last March, she made a rare admission to error by rescinding a plan to extend an unpopular lockdown during Easter. Although well intended, she said, “the idea of the extended Easter break was a mistake.”

Tiger Woods

Mr. Woods, the world’s most famous golfer, admitted in 2009 to having committed unspecified errors of judgment after reports emerged that he had engaged in multiple extramarital affairs. “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart,” Mr. Woods wrote on his website. “I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves.” His apology and plea for privacy were received positively, including from corporate sponsors.

Martha Stewart

Ms. Stewart was a celebrity homemaker and media personality. In 2004, she was convicted of lying to investigators about a stock-sale. She was sentenced to five years in prison. While she sought to play down the conviction as a “small personal matter” and vowed to rebound from it (which she did), Ms. Stewart was also contrite about the effects. “Today is a shameful day,” she said. “It’s shameful for me, and for my family, and for my beloved company, and for all of its employees and partners.”

Mark Sanford

In June 2009, Mr. Sanford, then the governor of South Carolina and a rising star in the Republican Party, disappeared for six days without explanation — not even his wife knew. Later, his spokesman stated that he had been hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Local journalists, acting on a tip, discovered that he was with his mistress from Argentina and confronted him at his return to the airport. The scandal destroyed his marriage, and “Appalachian Trail” became a euphemism for infidelity. In a speech, Mr. Sanford apologized and evoked biblical stories of redemption. “I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching on that front and what I find interesting is the story of David and the way in which he fell mightily, he fell in very, very significant ways. But then picked up the pieces and built from there.”

Mel Gibson

Gibson, the film star and director was arrested in July 2006 on suspicion of drunken driving. Gibson attempted to make amends through a statement from his publicist. “I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said, and I apologize to anyone I may have offended.”