You’ve probably seen the photos. Two men, decades apart, both flashing that same confident, toothy grin under a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. One was a Rough Rider who charged up San Juan Hill; the other was the architect of the New Deal who led America through a World War from a wheelchair. It’s natural to wonder, are FDR and Teddy Roosevelt related, or is the shared last name just a massive historical coincidence?
The short answer? Yes. They were cousins.
But it’s a lot more complicated—and way more interesting—than just sharing a family tree. It’s a story of two different branches of a wealthy New York dynasty, a high-stakes political rivalry, and a wedding that practically redefined the term "keeping it in the family."
The Family Tree: Hyde Park vs. Oyster Bay
To understand how these two titans were connected, you have to look at the Roosevelt family as a divided kingdom. By the mid-1800s, the clan had split into two distinct geographic and social circles.
First, there were the Oyster Bay Roosevelts. This was Teddy’s side. They were Republicans, based on Long Island, and known for being a bit more boisterous and "new money" in spirit, even though they were plenty old. Then you had the Hyde Park Roosevelts, Franklin’s branch. They lived in a sprawling estate along the Hudson River, were staunch Democrats, and carried themselves with a slightly more aristocratic, old-school Dutch reserve.
How close were they? Physically, not very. Genetically? They were fifth cousins.
In genealogical terms, a fifth cousin is someone you might not even invite to a wedding if you weren't famous. They shared a common set of great-great-great-great-grandparents, Nicholas Roosevelt and Heyltje Kunst. Nicholas, who lived in the early 1700s, had two sons who started the separate lines. Johannes headed the Oyster Bay branch (Teddy), and Jacobus headed the Hyde Park branch (Franklin).
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The Wedding That Blurred the Lines
If they were just fifth cousins, the connection might have faded into a footnote. But history took a turn when Franklin fell in love with a tall, shy woman named Eleanor.
Here is where it gets "kinda" confusing. Eleanor Roosevelt was Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite niece. She was the daughter of Teddy’s younger brother, Elliott. This means that when Franklin married Eleanor in 1905, he wasn't just marrying a distant relative; he was marrying the niece of the sitting President of the United States.
Teddy actually gave the bride away at the wedding.
Why? Because Eleanor’s father had passed away years earlier. Teddy, ever the scene-stealer, reportedly told Franklin, "Well, Franklin, there's nothing like keeping the name in the family." He wasn't kidding. Eleanor didn't even have to change her last name when she got married.
So, to recap: Franklin and Teddy were fifth cousins. But Teddy was also Franklin’s uncle-in-law.
A Relationship Built on Hero Worship and Rivalry
Franklin D. Roosevelt grew up idolizing TR. Even though they belonged to different political parties, FDR modeled his entire early career after his older cousin. It’s almost eerie when you look at the timeline. Teddy was in the New York State Assembly; so was Franklin. Teddy was Assistant Secretary of the Navy; Franklin took the exact same job years later. Teddy was Governor of New York; Franklin followed suit.
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But don't think for a second it was all hugs and family reunions.
The Oyster Bay Roosevelts—Teddy’s kids and widow—largely despised Franklin’s political rise. They viewed him as a "maverick" or, worse, a traitor to his class for his Democratic policies. Teddy’s daughter, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, was notoriously sharp-tongued about her cousin Franklin. She once famously described him as "one-third mush and two-thirds Eleanor." She spent a good portion of her life campaigning against him, despite the family bond.
Did They Actually Like Each Other?
Teddy was roughly 24 years older than Franklin. By the time FDR was entering the political arena, Teddy was already a legend.
Young Franklin spent time at Sagamore Hill (Teddy's home), and Teddy generally encouraged the young man’s ambitions. He saw Franklin as a "bright" young fellow, though he probably never imagined Franklin would eventually surpass his own record of four terms in the White House.
However, as Franklin began to champion the "New Deal" and shift the country toward a more centralized government, the Republican branch of the family grew cold. To the Oyster Bay Roosevelts, the Hyde Park Roosevelts were "the other ones." There was a palpable sense of competition. Who was the real Roosevelt? Who represented the true legacy of the name?
The Shared Legacy of the Roosevelt Name
Despite the bickering, both men used their shared heritage to project a specific image of American strength. They both believed in the "strenuous life." They both loved the outdoors, conservation, and the Navy.
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When people ask are FDR and Teddy Roosevelt related, they are often sensing the echoes of Teddy's voice in Franklin's speeches. FDR leaned into the Roosevelt brand. He knew that the name stood for courage and leadership. During the Great Depression, that name was a lifeline for millions of Americans who remembered the vigor of the first President Roosevelt.
Interestingly, Eleanor acted as the bridge. She carried the "Oyster Bay" fire and activist spirit into the "Hyde Park" political machine. She was arguably more like her Uncle Teddy than Franklin ever was—restless, vocal, and utterly unafraid of a fight.
Key Facts About the Roosevelt Connection
- Common Ancestor: Nicholas Roosevelt (1658–1742).
- Relationship: Fifth cousins, once removed (and uncle/nephew-in-law).
- Political Divide: Teddy was a Republican (and later a Progressive/Bull Moose); Franklin was a Democrat.
- The Marriage: Franklin married Teddy’s niece, Eleanor Roosevelt, on St. Patrick’s Day in 1905.
- Shared Titles: Both served as Governor of New York and Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Why the Connection Matters Today
Understanding that these two were related helps peel back the curtain on how American power worked in the early 20th century. It wasn't just about merit; it was about dynastic influence. The Roosevelts were essentially American royalty.
But it also shows that "family" doesn't mean "same." You had two men with the same bloodline taking completely different approaches to the role of government. Teddy wanted to "bust the trusts" and regulate corporations to save capitalism from itself. Franklin wanted to create a social safety net to save the people from the failures of capitalism.
They were two sides of the same coin.
If you want to dive deeper into this family drama, your best bet is to visit their respective homes. Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay gives you a glimpse into Teddy’s chaotic, trophy-filled life. Springwood in Hyde Park shows you the more manicured, regal world of Franklin. Seeing the two houses makes the "fifth cousin" distance feel very real.
To truly wrap your head around the Roosevelt dynasty, start by reading "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History" by Geoffrey C. Ward. It’s the definitive look at how these two branches interacted, fought, and ultimately shaped the modern world. You can also visit the National Park Service websites for both Sagamore Hill and the FDR Presidential Library to see digitized letters between the two families.
Next time you see a Roosevelt on a coin or a monument, remember it wasn't just one man—it was a sprawling, competitive, and brilliant family affair.