A woman has shared the story of how her mum discovered she was related to a Hollywood A-lister after finding her birth parents
One woman found out she and her mum are related to a top celeb (stock image)(Image: BrianAJackson via Getty Images)
Many people fantasise about being related to their favourite celebrity, hoping for a glimpse into their real lives beyond the glitz and glamour. And one woman recently discovered that she’s distantly related to a major Hollywood star, as her mother is the star’s cousin.
The woman shared her story on X, revealing that there was always a “running joke” in her family that Anne Hathaway was her mum’s long-lost sister due to their striking resemblance. The joke took a surprising turn when her mother, who was adopted, finally found her biological parents and traced her family tree. Posting on the site under the username Halo, she wrote: “My mama was adopted as an infant and we had a running joke her whole life that Anne was her long-long sister because of the physical resemblance being uncanny.
“Last year my mom found her birth parents, only to discover SHE’S OUR COUSIN.”
In another post, she added: “Anyway, just want it to be known that Anne is quite literally the actual coolest possible person in the entire world to be related to and I can die happy now.”
The post quickly went viral, racking up more than 35million views.
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Some users had questions though, with one asking: “Did you ever meet her or it’s just one of those trivia bits that’s cool to know but have no contact with on that side?”.
To which Halo responded: “My mom hasn’t even had the chance to meet her birth parents so, no.”
Whilst others were simply amazed, with one person declaring: “Thats a good flex, not gonna lie,” whilst another commented: “Aww, that’s sweet… happy for your mama.”
Despite the overwhelmingly positive responses, some individuals questioned Halo’s claims of “lying”. She responded to these doubts by posting an older photograph of her mother, who bore a remarkable resemblance to The Devil Wears Prada actress Anne.
She wrote alongside it: “Here is my beautiful mama for all who don’t believe me.”
Anne Hathaway is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood(Image: Getty Images)
This image once again became viral, with one user commenting: “It’s uncanny how much she looks like her,” to which Halo responded: “I know right! We had to pinch ourselves after because my family has always joked about it!”.
Someone else remarked: “Your mom is/was gorgeous, woah.”
Whilst a third person observed: “The resemblance is crazy.”
Anne, 42, hailing from Brooklyn, New York, has Irish, English, German and French heritage. Her father Gerald worked as a labour solicitor, whilst her mother, Kate (née McCauley), was previously an actress.
Anne’s maternal grandfather was WIP (AM) Philadelphia radio presenter Joe McCauley. According to The Daily Telegraph, she received her name in honour of Shakespeare’s spouse.
The Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning performer has an elder brother, Michael, and a younger sibling, Thomas. When Hathaway reached six years of age, the family relocated to Millburn, New Jersey, where she spent her childhood.