One was Hollywood’s most unforgettable blonde bombshell of the 1950s. The other is among the most recognizable actresses of her generation. Decades separate Marilyn Monroe and Sydney Sweeney, yet a surprising genealogical claim suggests their similarities may go beyond their blonde hair, glamorous appearances, and successful acting careers.
According to a widely circulated claim, Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are ninth cousins, connected through a distant family ancestor.
The possibility has fascinated fans, particularly because both actresses have become associated with Hollywood glamour. But is there really a family connection, and what would being ninth cousins actually mean?
The answer requires separating a potentially interesting genealogical discovery from the sensational headlines surrounding it.
9
Two Hollywood Stars Born Generations Apart
Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California.
Her childhood was marked by instability, foster homes, and periods of uncertainty. Yet she eventually became one of the most photographed women in the world.
Her breakthrough came during the early 1950s, when films such as Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and How to Marry a Millionaire established her as a major star.
With her platinum-blonde curls, expressive eyes, and distinctive voice, Marilyn developed an image that became synonymous with Hollywood glamour.
Sydney Sweeney’s story began more than seven decades later.
Born on September 12, 1997, in Spokane, Washington, Sweeney pursued acting from a young age and gradually built her career through television and film.
Her performances in Euphoria and The White Lotus brought widespread recognition, while subsequent roles helped establish her as a leading actress.
Despite their very different backgrounds, both women experienced the intense scrutiny that accompanies fame.
The Genealogy Discovery That Surprised Hollywood
On October 7, 2026, genealogy company MyHeritage released findings that gave the long-running comparisons between Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe an unexpected twist.
According to the company’s research, the actresses are ninth cousins once removed.
Their connection reportedly traces back to a shared ancestor who lived in Massachusetts during the seventeenth century.
The ancestor was Ezra Perry, an early settler of Sandwich, Massachusetts, who lived from approximately 1625 to 1689.
The discovery was reported by Entertainment Weekly, E! News, and several other entertainment outlets.
EW.com
+2
5
The Family Connection Goes Through Their Fathers
The most fascinating detail is how researchers traced the relationship.
Sydney’s family connection runs through her father, Steven Sweeney.
Marilyn’s lineage runs through her biological father, Charles Stanley Gifford.
According to MyHeritage, both paternal family trees lead back to Ezra Perry and his family in colonial Massachusetts.
This means the actresses share distant ancestry, despite being born more than 70 years apart.
The relationship is not a close family connection. Ninth cousins are separated by many generations, and the term once removed indicates a one-generation difference between the two branches of their family trees.
Importantly, the finding came from genealogical research into historical records and family trees, rather than a newly announced DNA comparison between the actresses.
Just Jared
+2
Why Researchers Decided to Investigate
For years, entertainment commentators and fans have compared Sydney Sweeney’s appearance and style to Marilyn Monroe’s.
Both actresses became famous for their blonde Hollywood glamour, and Sydney has occasionally worn outfits that pay tribute to the legendary star.
According to MyHeritage’s director of research, Roi Mandel, these comparisons inspired the company’s investigation.
Researchers began examining the actresses’ family histories to determine whether there might be an actual genealogical connection.
The resulting discovery was a distant family link dating back several centuries.
It was an unexpected coincidence that added a new dimension to the comparisons between the two performers.
InStyle
RARE PHOTOS: Sydney Sweeney’s Marilyn Monroe-Inspired Looks
1952 — Marilyn’s Iconic Magazine Cover
Marilyn appeared in a memorable white dress, creating an image that would inspire fashion tributes decades later.
2026 — Sydney Recreates Old Hollywood Glamour
Sydney wore a vintage Ceil Chapman gown reminiscent of Marilyn’s famous 1952 look.
1955 — The Legendary White Dress
Marilyn’s unforgettable appearance in The Seven Year Itch became one of cinema’s most recognizable fashion moments.
2025 — A Modern Tribute
Sydney appeared in a white halter-style gown that drew comparisons to Marilyn’s celebrated movie costume.
Two Actresses Who Experienced Fame Differently
Although the family discovery has encouraged comparisons, Marilyn and Sydney’s lives unfolded in very different eras.
Marilyn worked during a period when major Hollywood studios exerted considerable control over actors’ public images and careers.
She fought to be taken seriously as a performer while struggling against the limitations imposed by her glamorous public persona.
In 1955, she established Marilyn Monroe Productions, taking an important step toward greater professional independence.
Sydney entered the entertainment industry in a very different environment.
Social media, streaming television, and modern celebrity culture have created opportunities that were unavailable during Marilyn’s lifetime.
Sydney has also taken on producing responsibilities, including work associated with Anyone But You and Immaculate.
Both actresses have faced intense public discussion about their appearance, but their individual careers reflect the opportunities and pressures of their respective generations.
6
The Unexpected Hollywood Family Tree
The discovery also highlights how distant genealogical connections can exist between people who have never met.
After many generations, a single ancestral couple may have thousands of descendants living in different regions and pursuing entirely unrelated careers.
This makes distant cousin relationships more common than many people realize.
MyHeritage has previously publicized unexpected genealogical connections involving other celebrities.
In this case, however, the discovery attracted particular attention because Marilyn and Sydney had already been compared so frequently.
The fact that both actresses achieved Hollywood fame generations apart makes the family link especially intriguing.
Still, distant ancestry does not establish that their physical similarities, acting abilities, or career choices were inherited from the same ancestor.
What Sydney Has Said About Marilyn
Sydney has demonstrated an appreciation for classic Hollywood fashion through several public appearances.
Her vintage-inspired dresses and glamorous hairstyles have encouraged comparisons with Marilyn.
But the actresses have distinct artistic identities.
Marilyn became famous for a combination of comedy, musical performances, and dramatic roles.
Sydney has built her reputation through television drama, romantic comedy, psychological thrillers, and independent productions.
As of the initial reporting on the genealogical findings, there was no widely documented public response from Sydney directly addressing the newly reported cousin relationship.
Gazettely
+1
A Hollywood Coincidence Almost 400 Years in the Making
Marilyn Monroe died on August 4, 1962, at the age of 36.
Sydney Sweeney was born 35 years later and would eventually become one of the most recognizable young actresses in Hollywood.
The two women never had the opportunity to meet.
Yet according to MyHeritage’s research, their family histories converge in seventeenth-century Massachusetts.
What began as a comparison of their glamorous appearances has now become a story about ancestry, migration, and the unexpected ways families can connect across centuries.
Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are not simply two blonde Hollywood stars whose styles invite comparison. According to newly released genealogical research, they are distant cousins — connected by a family history stretching back nearly 400 years.
And perhaps the most surprising part is that the discovery came only after years of people remarking on how much the modern actress reminded them of the Hollywood legend.
Sources
- ew.com
- instyle.com
- eonline.com
- foxnews.com
- usatoday.com
- myheritage.com
Published October 9, 2026. The reported relationship is ninth cousins once removed, based on MyHeritage genealogical research, not a newly disclosed DNA test.
For more fascinating stories involving rare photos and surprising transformations, check out how Priscilla Presley’s twin granddaughters turned 18 or discover Mark Hamill’s remarkable recovery after a devastating car crash.
