7 Shocking Facts About Dorothy Ruth Pirone: The Daughter Who Uncovered Babe Ruth's Biggest Secret

Few figures in American history cast a shadow as long as George Herman "Babe" Ruth. Yet, the private life of the Sultan of Swat was shrouded in secrecy, a veil that was finally lifted by his own daughter, Dorothy Ruth Pirone. Her life story is a fascinating blend of privilege, baseball royalty, and a personal quest for truth that culminated in a groundbreaking memoir, revealing a side of the baseball legend that few ever knew. As of December 12, 2025, the legacy of Dorothy and her famous father continues to be actively managed by her descendants, ensuring her complex story remains a vital part of sports history.

Dorothy Ruth Pirone’s journey from being the beloved, adopted daughter of the Ruth family to uncovering the truth about her biological parentage is a dramatic narrative. Her courage in sharing this deeply personal revelation cemented her place not just as Babe Ruth’s daughter, but as an author and truth-teller in her own right. This article delves into the essential facts of her life, her famous book, and the family legacy she left behind.

Dorothy Ruth Pirone: Complete Biographical Profile

Dorothy Ruth Pirone lived a life intimately connected to the golden age of baseball, but her personal history was far more complex than her public image suggested. Her discovery of her true parentage late in life became the defining moment of her legacy.

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• Full Name: Dorothy Helen Ruth Pirone (née Dorothy Helen Ruth)
• Also Known As: Dorothy Ruth
• Date of Birth: June 7, 1921 (Some records suggest February 2, 1921)
• Place of Birth: New York, United States
• Biological Father: George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr.
• Biological Mother: Juanita Jennings (also known as Juanita Grenandtz), a woman with whom Babe Ruth had an affair.
• Adoptive/Stepmother: Claire Hodgson Ruth (Babe Ruth’s second wife, who adopted Dorothy).
• Sibling: Julia Ruth Stevens (Babe Ruth's adopted daughter with Claire Hodgson, who was Claire's biological daughter from a previous marriage).
• Spouse(s): Daniel J. Sullivan (m. 1941, div.), George Pirone (m. 1944).
• Children: She had children from her marriages, including Tom Stevens (grandson of Babe Ruth).
• Occupation: Author, Homemaker.
• Notable Work: Co-authored the memoir My Dad, the Babe: Growing Up with an American Hero (1988).
• Date of Death: May 18, 1989.
• Age at Death: 67.

The Secret of Her Parentage and the Memoir That Exposed It

For most of her life, Dorothy Ruth believed she was the biological daughter of Babe Ruth and his first wife, Helen Woodford. This was the narrative presented to the world and the one she lived under. However, the truth was far more complicated and involved a clandestine affair and a family secret kept tightly guarded for decades.

The Shocking Revelation of Juanita Jennings

The truth emerged when Dorothy was an adult, long after the death of her father. She discovered that her biological mother was, in fact, Juanita Jennings, a woman Babe Ruth had a relationship with while still married to Helen Woodford. This revelation was a profound shock, forcing Dorothy to reconcile the idealized image of her father with the reality of his personal life. The baseball legend had maintained a secret relationship, and Dorothy was the living proof of it. This deeply personal struggle to come to terms with her identity formed the emotional core of her memoir.

Her memoir, My Dad, the Babe: Growing Up with an American Hero, co-authored with Chris Martens and published in 1988, just a year before her death, became the definitive account of life with Babe Ruth. The book offered an intimate, often raw, perspective on the man behind the myth—detailing his generosity, his temper, his love for his daughters, and the complexities of his personal life, including the truth about her biological mother. The book is considered a critical source for historians and fans seeking a more human portrait of the legendary New York Yankees slugger.

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Dorothy's Enduring Legacy Through Her Descendants

Although Dorothy Ruth Pirone passed away in 1989, the legacy of the "Great Bambino" and Dorothy’s part in it is actively preserved by her family. This is where the most current and fresh information about the Ruth-Pirone lineage can be found. Her children and grandchildren have taken on the crucial role of sharing the family history, ensuring that the legacy of Babe Ruth remains relevant for new generations of fans.

The Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren Carrying the Torch

Dorothy's family members are frequently involved in baseball-related events, museum exhibits, and charitable work, serving as living links to the legendary figure. Among the most prominent descendants are her grandson, Tom Stevens, and her great-grandson, Brent Stevens. Brent Stevens is particularly active in managing the family's historical information and runs the website BabeRuthCentral.com, dedicated to preserving his great-grandfather's memory. This active involvement ensures that the story Dorothy told in her book continues to resonate.

Another prominent granddaughter of Babe Ruth (through his adopted daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens) is Linda Ruth Tosetti. While Linda is Dorothy's half-sister's daughter, the two sides of the family often collaborate on events, such as throwing out ceremonial first pitches at MLB and MiLB games, showcasing the united front of the Ruth family legacy. The frequent appearances and interviews by these family members in recent years—including a great-grandson throwing out a first pitch in a 2025 event—provide a continuous stream of fresh updates on the family's activities.

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The Impact of the Ruth Family's Ongoing Public Role

The decision by Dorothy Ruth Pirone to publish her memoir and reveal the secret of her birth had a lasting impact, not only on her family but on the public perception of Babe Ruth. It humanized the sports icon, showing him as a flawed but loving father who went to great lengths to protect his family, even if it meant maintaining a complicated secret.

The continued public engagement by Dorothy’s descendants ensures that the discussion around Babe Ruth’s life is comprehensive, including the personal struggles and triumphs that Dorothy documented. This commitment to transparency and history is a testament to Dorothy’s own courage. By sharing their stories, the family keeps the legend alive, not just as a statistician’s marvel, but as a complex, three-dimensional man whose life continues to inspire curiosity and discussion decades after his passing.

Ultimately, Dorothy Ruth Pirone’s life was defined by her relationship with one of the most famous men in the world and her brave choice to share the unvarnished truth of that relationship. Her book and her family’s dedication to her legacy ensure that her story, and the secrets she unveiled, will remain a vital chapter in the history of American sports and culture.