The Surprising Family Connection Revealed
For years, fans and fashion critics have drawn comparisons between Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe. From Sweeney’s platinum blonde bombshell looks to her red carpet homages, the Euphoria star has often been called a modern-day Monroe. But it turns out the resemblance runs far deeper than aesthetics.
A new genealogy study from MyHeritage has confirmed that Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are actually distant cousins. The research, shared with USA Today and reported by The Hollywood Reporter, reveals that the two actresses are ninth cousins, once removed. Yes, you read that right — the blonde icon of the 1950s and the breakout star of the 2020s share a genuine family bond.
The Shared Ancestor: Ezra Perry
The connection traces back nearly 400 years to a common ancestor named Ezra Perry, an early English settler who lived from approximately 1625 to 1689 in Sandwich, Massachusetts. Perry was one of the earliest settlers of the town, and his lineage branched out across generations to eventually include both Sweeney and Monroe.
According to the MyHeritage study, the family lines connect through two specific individuals: Steven Sweeney, Sydney’s father, and Charles Stanley Gifford, Monroe’s biological father. Both men descend from Ezra Perry, making their daughters distant cousins across the centuries.
What “Ninth Cousins, Once Removed” Actually Means
If you’re scratching your head at the term “ninth cousins, once removed,” you’re not alone. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Ninth cousins share a common ancestor who is nine generations back from both of them. In this case, that ancestor is Ezra Perry, who lived in the 1600s.
Once removed means there is a one-generation gap between the two relatives. So while Sweeney and Monroe are both descended from Perry, they are not on the same generational level within the family tree.
In simpler terms: they’re distant relatives, but relatives nonetheless — a fact that feels almost too poetic given how often Sweeney has been compared to Monroe.
Why This Connection Feels So Poetic
Sydney Sweeney has never shied away from the Monroe comparisons. She famously wore a gown inspired by Monroe’s iconic look, and her blonde, bombshell aesthetic has drawn endless parallels to the Hollywood legend. But learning that the connection is more than skin-deep — that it’s written in her DNA — adds a whole new layer to the story.
MyHeritage even noted that “seeing their paths align on a deeper level inspired us to look for a real bond in the MyHeritage archives”. And find one they did.
A Full-Circle Hollywood Moment
There’s something undeniably cinematic about the revelation. Marilyn Monroe was one of the most iconic stars of the 20th century, a symbol of glamour, vulnerability, and charisma. Sydney Sweeney is one of the most talked-about actresses of her generation, known for her fearless performances and old-Hollywood beauty. The fact that they share a bloodline — however distant — feels like a storyline pulled straight from a screenplay.
Of course, genealogy studies like this one are based on extensive archival research, and MyHeritage has a strong track record in connecting public figures through historical records. The study was released in early October 2026 and has since been covered by outlets around the world, from E! Online to the Daily Mail.
Sydney Sweeney
and Marilyn Monroe are ninth cousins, once removed, connected through a shared ancestor who settled in Massachusetts nearly four centuries ago. It’s a surprising, delightful, and oddly fitting discovery — one that proves that sometimes, art really does imitate life. Or, in this case, that life has a way of weaving its own Hollywood endings.
Whether you’re a fan of Monroe’s timeless films or Sweeney’s modern-day rise, one thing is clear: the blonde bombshell legacy is more literal than anyone ever imagined.
