Illuminating Lineages: 15 Celebrities Linked to Historic Figures
Families can be as intriguing as they are complex, not just in their personal dynamics but in the fascinating paths of their bloodlines. Today, advancements in genetic research enable us to trace ancestry back through generations, revealing connections to historical figures that even celebrities may find surprising.
1. Beyoncé Knowles: Royalty in the Blood
Beyoncé Knowles, renowned as music royalty, boasts a regal lineage herself. She is the 25th cousin, once removed, of Queen Elizabeth II, both descending from King Henry II.
2. Angelina Jolie: Ancestral Ties to French Royalty
Angelina Jolie, known for her diverse acting roles, can trace her ancestry directly to King Philip II of France, a monarch renowned for stabilizing his kingdom’s finances.
3. Brad Pitt: Descendant of English Royalty
Brad Pitt’s lineage leads back to King Henry II of England through his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine, making him a distant cousin to Queen Elizabeth II.
4. Anna Chancellor: A Connection to Jane Austen
Anna Chancellor, celebrated for her role in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, is not only an actress but also the eighth great-niece of the revered author Jane Austen.
5. Helena Bonham Carter: From Prime Ministers to the Screen
Helena Bonham Carter, known for her distinctive film roles, is the great-granddaughter of Herbert Henry Asquith, a former UK Prime Minister.
6. Harry Lloyd: Descendant of Charles Dickens
Harry Lloyd, acclaimed for his role in Game of Thrones, is the great-great-great-grandson of the esteemed author Charles Dickens.
7. Benedict Cumberbatch: Ancestral Bond with King Richard III
Benedict Cumberbatch, famed for his portrayal in Doctor Strange, shares a familial link as the 16th cousin of King Richard III of England.
8. Sigourney Weaver: Royal Connections Through History
Sigourney Weaver, famed for her role in Alien, is a descendant of King Henry I of England and a distant cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
9. Jake Gyllenhaal: Ancestral Roots in English Royalty
Jake Gyllenhaal, recognized for his versatile acting career, traces his ancestry back to King Edward III of England.
10. Meghan Markle: A Royal Connection with Shakespeare
Meghan Markle, known for her role in the British Royal Family, is a fifth cousin, 12 times removed, of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare.
11. Ozzy Osbourne: Musical Royalty with Historical Ties
Ozzy Osbourne, a legendary figure in music, can claim ancestry that includes Tsar Nicholas II of Russia among his distant relatives.
12. Cary Elwes: From Film to Family History
Cary Elwes, recognized for his roles in various films, is a descendant of John Elwes, who inspired Charles Dickens’s character Ebenezer Scrooge.
13. Zooey and Emily Deschanel: Hollywood Royalty with French Roots
Both Zooey and Emily Deschanel, known for their acting careers, are descendants of King Louis IV of France.
14. Anderson Cooper: News Anchor with Industrialist Roots
Anderson Cooper, a prominent news anchor, is the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a notable figure in American business history.
15. Robert Pattinson: From Vampires to Historical Ancestry
Robert Pattinson, famed for his role in Twilight, is a descendant of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
These connections highlight the interwoven lives of celebrities with historical figures, showcasing surprising links across centuries and continents.
