Who is the "greatest" person you've known up close? Did some kind of suffering contribute to his or her greatness?

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
    Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
    triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

~Zechariah 9:9