Sacrifice ...is it a must plz ??

Have been observing and wondering why is it that great men /women ,geniuses be it in the corporate world who are visionaries, or be it doctors who are so committed to their patients and healing or legends like a Mahatma Gandhi who gave India a vision and will to get it’s freedom …all these great people while are committed to their lives purposes or rather passions they choose but when it comes to their personal and family lives just seem to be sacrificer's ( that was being polite the word I have in mind is ‘Losers’). Their families and specially their children pay a heavy price in the name of their parents hypocritical Value systems/ beliefs or just sheer lack of time since they are out build a better world for people out there walking over their children’s dreams and aspirations.

Is it really impossible to balance life. Is it a must to sacrifice one for the cause of the other. Or is it a choice these people or that matter all of us make? I am still seeking answers to this …anyone and suggestions ?