You’ve probably seen the old photos. One man is a boisterous, rough-riding outdoorsman with a thick mustache and wire-rimmed glasses. The other is a poised, smooth-talking leader sitting in a wheelchair, guiding a nation through a world war. They share the same last name. They both occupied the White House. But honestly, is FDR related to Teddy?
Yes. They were cousins.
Specifically, they were fifth cousins. If you’re trying to map that out in your head, it basically means they shared great-great-great-great-grandparents. In the world of high-society New York families, that’s close enough to share a Thanksgiving table but distant enough that their branches of the family tree lived in completely different worlds.
The Roosevelt family was an absolute powerhouse in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It wasn't just about politics; it was about prestige, land, and old Dutch money. But despite the shared bloodline, the two men represented different "clans" within the family. Franklin came from the Hyde Park Roosevelts, who were mostly Democrats. Theodore was a Oyster Bay Roosevelt, and they were staunch Republicans.
The Oyster Bay vs. Hyde Park Rivalry
The family split wasn't just a matter of geography. It was a lifestyle choice.
The Oyster Bay crew, led by Teddy, were seen as the more "active" and aggressive bunch. They were the ones jumping into freezing water and chasing down outlaws. The Hyde Park Roosevelts, where Franklin grew up, were considered more refined, perhaps a bit more "leisured."
It’s kind of funny when you think about it. FDR actually idolized Teddy. Even though they belonged to different political parties later on, Franklin modeled much of his early career after his older cousin. He went to Harvard. He served in the New York State Senate. He became Assistant Secretary of the Navy. It was a play-by-play copy of Teddy’s resume.
But the Oyster Bay Roosevelts didn't always appreciate the imitation.
Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Teddy’s daughter and a legendary Washington wit, famously mocked Franklin. She once said he was "one-third mush and two-thirds Eleanor." That’s a stinging jab coming from a cousin. The Oyster Bay side often felt that Franklin was using the Roosevelt name to advance a "radical" Democratic agenda that Teddy would have hated.
The Eleanor Connection (The Plot Thickens)
If the fifth-cousin thing feels a bit distant, wait until you hear about Eleanor.
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Eleanor Roosevelt was Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite niece. She was the daughter of Teddy's brother, Elliott. This means that when Franklin married Eleanor, he wasn't just marrying a random woman with the same last name. He was marrying his fifth cousin once removed.
At the wedding in 1905, Teddy Roosevelt actually gave the bride away.
Imagine that scene for a second. The sitting President of the United States, the most famous man in the world, walks his niece down the aisle to marry her cousin. Teddy reportedly stole the show, because Teddy always stole the show. He told Franklin, "Well, Franklin, there's nothing like keeping the name in the family."
You have to wonder if Franklin felt a bit overshadowed. Most people would.
Why the Roosevelt Lineage Actually Matters
So, why are we still talking about this? Is it just gossip for history buffs? Not really. The family connection shaped American history in a way few other dynasties ever have.
When people ask "is FDR related to Teddy," they are usually trying to understand how two men from the same family could dominate the American presidency for nearly 30 years combined. The answer lies in the Roosevelt brand.
Teddy was the progressive "Trust Buster." He believed the government should be a referee in the game of capitalism. Franklin took that idea and put it on steroids with the New Deal. While their methods differed—Teddy was a "Square Deal" guy and FDR was a "New Deal" guy—the underlying philosophy was strikingly similar. They both believed the President should be the center of American life.
The Genetic Toll and Resilience
One thing people rarely mention is the health history of the family.
Teddy was a sickly child with debilitating asthma. He basically "built" his body through sheer force of will, leading to his "Strenuous Life" philosophy. Franklin, of course, was struck by polio at age 39. While the diseases were different, that Roosevelt trait of stubborn resilience was present in both.
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They both refused to be victims.
Teddy’s son, Teddy Jr., also carried this torch. He was a brigadier general who landed at Normandy on D-Day, walking with a cane due to arthritis and old war wounds. He died of a heart attack shortly after. The family was built on this weird mix of extreme privilege and an almost insane drive to serve, or perhaps to lead.
Myths About the Roosevelt Relationship
Let's clear some things up.
People often think they were uncle and nephew. They weren't.
Others think they were brothers. Definitely not.
There is also a common misconception that they were best friends. In reality, their relationship was professional and respectful, but strained by politics. When Franklin ran for Vice President in 1920 on the Democratic ticket, the Oyster Bay Roosevelts were livid. They saw him as a "maverick" in the worst way possible—someone betraying the family's Republican roots for a shot at power.
Then there’s the money.
Both were wealthy, but Franklin’s wealth was more "secure" land-based wealth in the Hudson Valley. Teddy’s side of the family had their ups and downs. Teddy actually had to work quite hard for his income through writing, especially after his ranching ventures in the Dakotas failed.
The Public Perception
To the average American in the 1930s, the name Roosevelt meant something specific. It meant a "man of the people" who happened to be an aristocrat.
Franklin leaned into this heavily. During his campaigns, he didn't shy away from the association with Teddy. He used the name to project strength and stability during the Great Depression. Even if his cousins in Oyster Bay were grumbling behind closed doors, the public saw a continuation of a legacy.
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How to Trace the Lineage Yourself
If you're a genealogy nerd, you can trace both men back to Claes Maartenszen van Rosenvelt.
He arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York City) around 1649. He was a simple farmer. It took a few generations for the family to split into the two famous branches:
- Johannes Roosevelt (The Oyster Bay branch - Teddy’s line)
- Jacobus Roosevelt (The Hyde Park branch - FDR’s line)
For over a century, these two lines lived parallel lives. They both became successful in real estate and banking. They both stayed within the social circles of the "Knickerbockers," the old-guard New Yorkers. But it wasn't until Teddy’s meteoric rise that the family became a household name globally.
A Quick Summary of the Connection
- Relation: Fifth Cousins.
- Common Ancestor: Nicholas Roosevelt (1658–1742).
- The Marriage: FDR married Teddy’s niece, Eleanor.
- Political Divide: Teddy (Republican) vs. FDR (Democrat).
- Geography: Oyster Bay (Long Island) vs. Hyde Park (Upstate NY).
The Legacy of Two Roosevelts
It’s hard to imagine the 20th century without either man.
Teddy gave us the National Parks, the Panama Canal, and the idea of America as a global police power. Franklin gave us Social Security, the minimum wage, and the leadership to survive World War II.
The fact that they were related isn't just a fun trivia fact. It’s a testament to how a single family culture—one rooted in duty, ego, and a certain "noblesse oblige"—can change the world. They were rivals in spirit, cousins in blood, and titans in history.
Honestly, the Roosevelt story is the ultimate American epic. It’s got everything: wealth, betrayal, physical disability, war, and two men who simply refused to be told "no."
Actionable Steps for History Buffs
If you want to dive deeper into this family drama, don't just read a Wikipedia page. Go to the sources.
- Visit Sagamore Hill: This was Teddy’s home in Oyster Bay. You can see how he lived—surrounded by animal heads and books. It feels like a hunting lodge for a genius.
- Visit Springwood: This is FDR’s estate in Hyde Park. It’s totally different. It’s elegant, sprawling, and overlooks the Hudson River. The contrast between the two homes tells you everything you need to know about their personalities.
- Read "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History": This book (and the Ken Burns documentary) is the gold standard. It spends a lot of time on the tension between the two family branches.
- Check out Eleanor’s columns: She wrote a daily column called "My Day." It gives you a sense of her voice, which was arguably the bridge between the two men.
Understanding the Roosevelt connection isn't just about a family tree. It’s about understanding the DNA of modern America. Next time someone asks if they were related, you can tell them it’s complicated—but it’s the best kind of complicated.
Look into the letters between the family members during the 1912 election. You’ll find some of the most polite, yet devastating, insults ever written in the English language. It’s a masterclass in passive-aggressive family dynamics.