19 celebrities you'll be surprised to learn are related to politicians

Although this list is about celebrities you would've never guessed were related to politicians, it could be easy to forget Billy Bush, host of Extra, is related to the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush. He's also the cousin of the US' 43rd president, George W. Bush.

Journalist and actor Maria Shriver was married to former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and served as the state's First Lady from 2003 to 2011.

Popular television chef Sandra Lee was the First Lady of New York from 2011 to 2019 when she was married to Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Actor Brad Pitt, yes, that  Brad Pitt revealed he was distant cousins with Barack Obama. “I guess we’re ninth cousins, something removed – or something,” Obama said on  The View. “I think he got the better-looking side of the gene pool."

RuPaul and Senator Cory Booker both participated in a PBS show (Finding Your Roots), where they discovered that they share a long line of identical DNA. The former presidential candidate told Wendy Williams how much he adored the cultural icon. “I love RuPaul, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to him since the news was revealed, but I was very happy about that news, and I hope that he and I can have a family reunion sometime.”

Musical legend and "Vogue" performer Madonna is a distant cousin of political figure Hillary Clinton.

Former President Gerald Ford had four children, including Steven Ford, a popular actor in the '80s, '90s, and very early 2000s. In 2007, he had a small role as a Four Star General in the international box office hit Transformers.

Emily Couric was a Virginia state senator from 1996 to 2001. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died in the early 2000s. Her sister, American journalist and author Katie Couric, paid tribute to her in 2018, describing her as "remarkable."

Olympia Dukakis has a decorated career as an actress, with credits in programs like The Simpsons and Law & Order. She's related to Massachusetts' 65th and 67th governor Michael Dukakis.

Star Trek and Mercy actor Kate Mulgrew was married to Tim Haggan, Cuyahoga County's Commissioner (2004 to 2011) and former Ohio gubernatorial candidate from 1999 to 2014. 

This one is a bit mind-blowing. Popular singer Cher was once married to Sonny Bono, who served in the US House of Representatives and as the 16th Mayor of Palm Springs.

Like Cory Booker and RuPaul, Larry David found out he was related to Bernie Sanders while appearing on PBS' Finding Your Roots.

Popular Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton's uncle is Fred Upton, who served in the US House of Representatives from 1987 to 2023.

This one needs zero explanation. Meghan McCain spoke in depth about her father's run for president in 2008 during her time on the political talk show The View.

There goes that last name again! Yep, Jenna Bush Hager's father was the 43 president of the United States, and she's spoken all about it on Today and Today with Hoda and Jenna.

Stephen Colbert is a pro at hosting politicians on his late-night show, and that confidence likely comes from spending time with his sister, Elizabeth Colbert Busch. The latter was a candidate for South Carolina's first congressional district in 2013.

Sometimes, it's hard to picture Amy Schumer being serious about anything, considering her career as a comedian and actor. However, the star has been vocal about many causes and once defended her cousin , Senator Chuck Schumer, against Donald Trump's negative comments in 2017.

Robin Thede, creator of A Black Lady Sketch Show, is the daughter of Representative Phyllis Thede, who served in Iowa's House of Representatives until 2023.

You already know that last name. Not only is actor Patrick Schwarzenegger the son of former Governor Patrick Schwarzenegger, but their entire family has ties to the Kennedy family.