Recent genealogical research shows that Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe share more than just a physical resemblance. The two Hollywood stars are distant relatives, adding a surprising family link to years of comparisons between the pair.
A MyHeritage study found that Sweeney and Monroe are ninth cousins once removed, sharing a common ancestor separated by one generation in their respective family trees. However, their shared ancestry dates back several centuries, making the relationship extremely distant.
WOW! SYDNEY SWEENEY IS ACTUALLY RELATED TO MARILYN MONROE. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING pic.twitter.com/H5tyr7qezO
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) October 7, 2026
Tracing the Family Connection
The family link is through Sweeney's father, Steven Sweeney, and Monroe's biological father, Charles Stanley Gifford. Both lines trace back to Ezra Perry, an early settler in Sandwich, Massachusetts, in the 1600s.
Roi Mandel, director of research at MyHeritage, explained that frequent comparisons between the actresses led to a search through the company's genealogical archives.
'People have always drawn parallels between Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe, but seeing their paths align on a deeper level inspired us to look for a real bond in the MyHeritage archives,' Mandel explained.
'Uncovering their shared branch was incredible; it's a powerful reminder that humanity is one vast family tree, and when we dig deep, we uncover how remarkably interconnected we all are.'
Sweeney's Monroe Looks
This genealogical discovery supports ongoing comparisons between Sweeney and Monroe, particularly regarding Sweeney's appearance and fashion choices.
In December 2025, Sweeney embraced Monroe's style at The Housemaid premiere in Los Angeles. She wore a custom white Galia Lahav gown with a plunging neckline and full skirt, recalling Monroe's famous white dress from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch.
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney arrive to the LA premiere of "The Housemaid." pic.twitter.com/iRginjf8X5
— E! News (@enews) December 16, 2025
In February 2026, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Sweeney wore a vintage 1950s Ceil Chapman gown to the Virtuosos Award ceremony, further referencing Monroe. The plunging off-white dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline, a cinched waist, and gathered detailing on the sleeves and skirt.
Monroe had worn an almost identical Chapman design for the cover of Life magazine in April 1952, although her version featured a slightly different neckline and more fitted sleeves.
Sweeney completed the look with matching off-white heels, long blonde curls, and a side-parted hairstyle. Her glowing makeup and overall styling emphasised the vintage-inspired gown and its 1950s influence.
Marilyn Monroe's Lasting Influence
More than 60 years after her death, Monroe continues to serve as a significant cultural reference. Her image, fashion, and film roles continue to shape contemporary entertainment and celebrity style.
Her iconic blonde appearance and memorable screen presence link her to Hollywood's golden age. Many performers still draw inspiration from her signature style.
Sweeney frequently references Monroe, highlighting her enduring influence on artists and celebrities. Madonna, Kim Kardashian, and Nicki Minaj have each recreated or paid tribute to Monroe's style and persona across music, fashion, and entertainment.
It’s genuinely sort of insane that Bob Mackie’s career spanned enough time for him to design for Marilyn Monroe and Madonna-doing-Monroe and Sabrina Carpenter-as-Madonna-as-Monroe pic.twitter.com/mWkxZxHGpT
— Christopher (@molochofficial) September 14, 2026
Monroe became one of the most recognisable stars of American cinema, best known for her roles in The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She died at age 36 in 1962.
In contrast, Sweeney has established her reputation through projects such as Euphoria, Christy, and The Housemaid. This research contributes to the ongoing comparison between Sweeney and Monroe as her career progresses in Hollywood.
