- Poverty: Houdini was born into poverty in Budapest, Hungary, and had to work from a young age to support himself and his family.
- Lack of formal education: Houdini never received a formal education and had to learn magic and escape artistry through self-study and practice.
- Discrimination: As a Jewish immigrant, Houdini faced discrimination and prejudice throughout his career, particularly in the early days when he was trying to establish himself as a performer.
Challenges during his career
- Dangerous stunts: Houdini's escape acts often involved great risk and required him to overcome extreme physical and mental challenges, such as being submerged underwater for extended periods of time, escaping from handcuffs and straitjackets while hanging upside down, and performing daring escapes from prison cells and burning buildings.
- Competition: Houdini faced fierce competition from other magicians and escape artists, and had to constantly innovate and come up with new and exciting acts to stay ahead of the curve.
- Scepticism and criticism: Houdini was often met with scepticism and criticism from some members of the public and the media, who accused him of using trickery and deception in his escapes. He had to work hard to maintain his reputation as a legitimate escape artist and convince people that his feats were genuine.
Health problems
- Physical injuries: Houdini suffered numerous injuries during his career, including broken bones, cuts, and burns.
- Illness: Houdini's health also suffered due to the stress and physical demands of his performances, and he eventually died at the age of 52 from complications related to a ruptured appendix.