History doesn’t end with the textbooks. Behind every iconic name (Picasso, Presley, Chaplin, Hemingway), there’s a living, breathing relative keeping the legacy alive (or flipping it on its head). Some followed in their ancestor’s footsteps, others made a sharp left turn and built their own spotlight. But one thing’s for sure: you’ve never seen these family trees quite like this.
From Elvis’s granddaughter ruling red carpets, to Che Guevara’s daughter trading guerilla gear for a stethoscope, to a Hemingway rocking high fashion instead of a typewriter; this is the surprising, stylish, and sometimes downright wild next generation of legends.
Whether you're here for the name-dropping or the jaw-dropping careers, one thing is clear: great genes come with great stories. Let’s meet the modern faces behind the last names that changed the world.
1
Elvis Left the Building, But Riley Keough Didn’t
The King’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, swapped the mic for the camera and carved her own name in Hollywood. Long live the Presley legacy.
2
Charlie Chaplin’s Granddaughter Is All Drama (In a Good Way)
Oona Chaplin isn’t just silent-film royalty, she’s also a fierce actress you’ve seen in Game of Thrones, proving great performances run in the family.
3
Che’s Daughter Fights with Stethoscopes, Not Slogans
Aleida Guevara inherited her father’s passion for justice, but took a medical route. Today, she’s a Cuban doctor and political voice in her own right.
4
Tolstoy’s Great-Grandson Wrote a New Chapter
Pyotr Olegovich Tolstoy, descended from the author of War and Peace, took a modern path as a journalist, TV host, and political figure in Russia.
5
Mussolini’s Granddaughter is... a Pop Star-Politician Hybrid?
Alessandra Mussolini went from modeling to pop music to Italian politics. Grandpa Benito probably wouldn’t recognize this career arc.
6
Meet the Modern-Day Columbus
Cristóbal Colón de Carvajal, the 18th great-grandson of the explorer, is a Spanish noble and yes, still very into the whole “legacy” thing.
7
Jane Austen’s Family Still Has Strong Female Leads
Anna Chancellor, her great-great-great-niece, is a British actress who once played... wait for it... Miss Bingley. Poetic much?
8
Dickens’ Descendant Is All About Twists & Plots
Harry Lloyd, great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, inherited the storytelling gene and brought it to shows like Doctor Who and Game of Thrones.
9
Picasso’s Granddaughter Has Masterpiece DNA
Diana Widmaier-Picasso is no stranger to art: she restores it, curates it, and lives in a world still very much shaped by her legendary grandfather's bold brushstrokes.
10
Brando’s Legacy Has a Face (And It’s Gorgeous)
Tuki Brando, grandson of Marlon Brando, is a model for Versace, Cartier, and more. The cheekbones are genetic. The smolder? Inherited.
11
The Beat Goes On with Sean Lennon
John Lennon’s son, Sean, makes music that’s weird, wild, and wonderful; exactly how dad would've liked it. Apple doesn’t fall far from the Abbey Road tree.
12
Grace Kelly’s Granddaughter Is a Royal Muse
Charlotte Casiraghi, granddaughter of the Hollywood-turned-royalty icon, is a Chanel ambassador, philosopher, and actual Monegasque royalty. No big deal.
13
Hemingway’s Great-Granddaughter Wears Runway, Not Safari Gear
Dree Hemingway, great-granddaughter of Ernest, traded war stories for fashion week. But there’s still something epicin her walk.
14
These Boots Still Walk: Meet Nancy Sinatra
Frank Sinatra’s daughter had a hit that defined a decade and, those boots? Still made for walkin’ across music history.
15
The Theory of Relativity Runs in the Family
Thomas Einstein, great-grandson of Albert, isn’t writing equations, but he is a respected anesthesiologist. Still working with minds, just a different way.