From Congress to the red carpet! These celebrities are related to political figures
Some of the following stars are directly related to some world leaders while others are just distant cousins. Whatever the case these celebrities are not only known for their on-screen or on-stage talents, but also for their connection to political figures. Find out who they are here!
First and tenth cousins!
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Some of the following stars are directly related to some world leaders while others are just distant cousins. Whatever the case these celebrities are not only known for their on-screen or on-stage talents, but also for their connection to political figures. Find out who they are here!
Marilyn Monroe
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The iconic Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe was romantically linked to the former US President John F. Kennedy, but she was connected to two other Presidents family-wise. According to CBS, Monroe is a ninth cousin, once removed, from George H. W. Bush, as well as ninth cousin, twice removed, from his son George W. Bush.
Hugh Hefner
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Genealogy experts from Millisecond Publishing revealed in 2004 that the Playboy founder is distant cousin to former US President George W. Bush. In an interview with CBS, Hefner joked: "I would be delighted to invite both President Bush and Senator Kerry for a family reunion."
Madonna
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The Queen of Pop is also connected to political figures as family, as she is the tenth cousin of the former First Lady and Secretary of State of the United States, Hillary Clinton. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Clinton herself confirmed that the pair were distant relatives, saying “it’s true.”
James Dean
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According to Ancestry.com, the tragic but iconic film star is related to the late former US President Richard Nixon. The pair were seventh cousins, once removed, and shared New England ancestry.
Tom Hanks
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The ‘Forrest Gump’ actor told The Daily Mail newspaper in 2012 that he is related to the family of former President Abraham Lincoln. He explained: "His mother was called Nancy Hanks, and the members of my branch of the family are either cousins or in-laws or poor relations. So, when I was at school, guess which president I was always doing essays on."
Richard Gere
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According to Ancestry.com, the ‘Pretty Woman’ actor is a distant relative to the former President of the United States James A. Garfield. They are linked through a man named John Billington who sailed to the United States on the Mayflower ship. The duo are sixth cousins, four times removed.
Amy Schumer
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The comedian is a distant relative of New York Senator Chuck Schumer. She has been supportive of relative - who is the first person of Jewish descend to hold the political position.
Warren Buffett
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Businessman Warren Buffett is a distant cousin of former US President Barack Obama and campaigned for him to reach the White House. According to Ancestry.com, they are related through a French man named Mareen Duvall, who moved to Maryland in 1650. The website reports that the man is Buffett’s sixth great-grandfather and Obama’s ninth great-grandfather.
Ben Affleck
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The New England Historic Genealogical Society revealed that the ‘Last Duel’ actor and the former President of the United States Barack Obama are 11th cousins. Ben Affleck has showed his support for his distant relative several times. In 2012 he told The Associated Press: “I voted for Obama last time.”
Brad Pitt
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‘Bullet Train’ star Brad Pitt is another A-lister related to Obama. The pair are connected through an ancestor named Edwin Hickman, who passed away in 1769 in Virginia. In an interview on ‘The View’, Obama joked: “I think he got the better-looking side of the gene pool.”
Originally published on celebretainment.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
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