- Among his favorite movies were: Friday the 13th (1980), Freddy vs. Jason (2003), First Blood (1982), The Godfather (1972), Gone with the Wind (1939) and Amistad (1997).
- Was portrayed as a villainous marionette in the comedy film Team America: World Police (2004). The creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone sent a gift reel to Kim.
- His favorite actor was Sean Connery. His favorite actress was Elizabeth Taylor.
- National leader of North Korea (officially styled "Supreme Leader of North Korea") from 1994 until his death in 2011.
- Propaganda claims that Kim was born one year later, in 1942 on Mount Baekdu, with a double rainbow and a bright star in the sky heralding his arrival. A halo was supposedly seen over the mountain and a swallow foretold his birth.
- Was often described as the 'Dear Leader' of North Korea. The title of 'Eternal President' was bestowed to his father, Il-Sung Kim on his death in 1994. Kim Jong-il's title was Chairman of the National Commission of Defence, which is North Korea's most important governmental position.
- Married Hong Il-chon in 1966 and divorced in 1969, and remarried to Kim Young-sook in 1974 but separated in the 1980s. He had six known children: Kim Hye-gyong (daughter, b. 1968) with first wife Hong Il-chon, Kim Jong-nam (son, b. 1970) with mistress Song Hye-rim, Kim Sul-song (daughter, b. 1974) with second wife Kim Young-sook, Kim Jong-chul (son, b. 1981), Jong-Un Kim (son, b. 1984), and Kim Yo-jong (daughter, b. 1987) with mistress Ko Young-hee.
- Was taught the "juche" philosophy of self-reliance by Jang-Yop Hwang. Hwang defected to South Korea in 1997.
- Grandfather of Han-Sol Kim.
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