Are Bill And Hillary Clinton Related? The Shocking Truth Behind Their 16th Cousin Connection

The persistent rumor that former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are related is one of the most intriguing and often-searched questions about the famous political couple. As of the latest genealogical research in late 2025, the answer is a definitive, yet extremely distant, 'Yes.' They share common ancestors, a fact that is far more common among people of similar European heritage than most realize, but the specific degree of their familial link is what truly raises eyebrows.

This article dives deep into the genealogical records to uncover the specific common ancestors that connect the 42nd U.S. President and the former First Lady, revealing the exact, albeit extremely remote, degree of their relationship. The fresh, updated information provides a clear, factual answer that puts the long-running speculation to rest, highlighting how deep roots can connect even the most prominent political figures.

The Complete Biography and Immediate Family Trees

To understand the connection, one must first look at the distinct family lines that converged at the altar. Bill and Hillary Clinton come from very different backgrounds, yet their ancestral lines eventually cross centuries ago.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

Bill Clinton (William Jefferson Blythe III)

• Born: August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas
• Original Name: William Jefferson Blythe III
• Parents:
  • Father: William Jefferson Blythe Jr. (died before Bill's birth)
  • Mother: Virginia Dell Cassidy (later Virginia Kelley)
• Grandparents: Eldridge and Edith Cassidy (maternal)
• Stepfather: Roger Clinton Sr. (Bill later took his surname)
• Spouse: Hillary Diane Rodham (m. 1975)
• Child: Chelsea Victoria Clinton

Hillary Clinton (Hillary Diane Rodham)

• Born: October 26, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois
• Original Name: Hillary Diane Rodham
• Parents:
  • Father: Hugh Ellsworth Rodham
  • Mother: Dorothy Emma Howell Rodham
• Grandparents: Hugh Simpson Rodham and Hannah Jones (paternal); Edwin John Howell and Emma Mary Howell (maternal)
• Ancestry: English, Welsh, Scottish, and French Canadian ancestry, with a maternal line that includes French Canadian settlers.
• Spouse: William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (m. 1975)
• Child: Chelsea Victoria Clinton

The Exact Genealogical Link: 16th Cousins Twice Removed

The core of the "are Bill and Hillary Clinton cousins" question lies in the deep, extensive work of genealogists. The most precise and authoritative finding confirms that the couple is, in fact, related, but the degree is so distant that it is purely a historical curiosity rather than a matter of close kinship.

The established genealogical relationship between Bill and Hillary Clinton is that they are 16th cousins twice removed. This is an astonishing distance, meaning the common ancestors they share are 17 generations removed from one of them and 18 generations removed from the other. To put this into perspective, a 16th cousin relationship means the shared ancestors lived in the late Middle Ages or early Renaissance period, likely around the 15th or 16th century.

This kind of distant cousin relationship is extremely common, especially among Americans whose ancestors have been in the country for many generations or who share common European roots. In fact, many people are related to U.S. Presidents, celebrities, and even royalty through similar distant lines.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

Who Are the Common Ancestors? The French Connection

For a relationship to be proven, a common ancestor must be found. In the case of Bill and Hillary Clinton, the trail leads back to two individuals who lived centuries ago, likely in France, connecting through Hillary's French Canadian lineage.

The first common ancestors identified in some genealogical records for the couple are Perrette BARAT and Jean NAVARRE. These individuals are the point where the two distinct family trees—the Rodham line and the Blythe/Cassidy line—finally intersect. While the exact details of their lives are lost to history, their existence proves the shared lineage.

Hillary Clinton's ancestry, in particular, has been a rich source of these distant connections. Through her French Canadian branch, she is also distantly related to other famous figures. For instance, she is a ninth cousin twice removed of actress Angelina Jolie and a ninth cousin once removed of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Camilla). These famous connections further illustrate how deep and wide-ranging genealogical ties can be.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Topical Authority: Other Famous Distant Relationships

The fact that Bill and Hillary Clinton are distant cousins is not an anomaly in the world of prominent figures. Genealogical research often uncovers surprising links, demonstrating the interconnectedness of historical families. This phenomenon is particularly evident among the descendants of early European settlers.

The Presidential Web of Kinship

It is a well-known fact among genealogists that nearly every U.S. President is related to every other U.S. President, usually as very distant cousins. This is due to the limited pool of early American colonial families from which many of the nation's leaders descend.

• Hillary Clinton's Royal Links: Beyond her connection to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Hillary is also related to pop icon Madonna through her French Canadian ancestry.
• Bill Clinton's Royal and Presidential Links: Bill Clinton can trace his ancestry to King Henry III of England, as well as Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.
• The Obama-Bush Connection: Even more surprisingly, Barack Obama and George W. Bush are 11th cousins.

These examples reinforce that the 16th cousin twice removed relationship between Bill and Hillary is a fascinating but non-unique aspect of their shared history. It is a testament to the fact that all human family trees eventually connect, even the ones belonging to the most powerful couples in the world.

The Final Verdict on the Clinton Cousin Rumor

The rumor that Bill and Hillary Clinton are cousins is true, but requires significant context to be understood correctly. They are not close cousins, but rather 16th cousins twice removed, a relationship that is so remote it holds no practical or social significance. The shared ancestors, Perrette Barat and Jean Navarre, lived so long ago that their common genetic contribution to the modern-day Clintons is negligible.

In the end, the story of the Clintons' distant kinship is a powerful reminder of the vast, interconnected web of human genealogy. It's a fun fact, a great piece of trivia, and a definitive answer to a question that has puzzled many for decades, proving that in the world of family trees, you never know who you might be related to.