We've heard about the strained relationship between Michael Jackson and his father, which affected Michael's life until the very end. The immediate family members of many famous people played a significant role in their lives, influencing them in various ways and shaping their personalities. We know little about their families because some prefer to remain in the shadows. Did you know that Peter Pan in J.M. Barrie's books never grew up because his brother died before he was 14, and in his mother's eyes, he was forever a boy?
1. John, Robert, and Ted Kennedy had a sister named Rosemary. She often indulged in rebellious behavior, such as sneaking out of the house at night, and frequently had outbursts of anger. Her father feared she would bring shame on the family, so at 23, he attempted a lobotomy on her, but the operation failed, leaving her permanently incapacitated.
Rose Marie "Rosemary" Kennedy was born "different" into a prominent family. From childhood, she lagged behind her siblings and had behavioral problems. Not wanting to embarrass her, her parents kept her out of the public eye, but as she grew older, she could no longer remain in the shadows. She began to rebel and suffered from severe mood swings.
She would sneak out at night from the Washington, D.C., convent school where she attended, irritating her parents, who wanted all their children to behave appropriately. Some observers believed Rosemary behaved this way because of the constant pressure to live up to the high standards set by her siblings.
Joseph Kennedy, fearing that his daughter would harm his political career, asked doctors to perform a lobotomy on his daughter in November 1941, when Rosemary was 23. His wife knew nothing about it. The lobotomy failed. Afterward, Rosemary acted like a two-year-old, could no longer walk, could not speak properly, and lost bladder control. She was subsequently institutionalized.
Her father later built a house for her, where she was cared for by two Catholic nuns, along with two other people who visited her occasionally. Her mother, Rose, didn't visit her for 20 years. The family constantly told everyone she was "mentally retarded" and hid the fact that she had undergone a lobotomy. On January 7, 2005, Rosemary died of natural causes, with her surviving siblings by her side. (source)
2. Jim Hanks is Tom Hanks' younger brother, who often fills in for Tom as a voice actor because their voices are so similar. Tom has an older brother who is an entomologist.
James Matthew Hanks, also known as Jim Hanks, is an American actor, cinematographer, director, producer, cinematographer, and voice actor who has often filled in for his older brother, Tom Hanks, due to their similar voices. He first appeared in in the film "Buford's Beach Bunnies", when Tom Hanks, who was originally considered for the role, was unavailable. Interestingly, he got the role on his own merits and because he looked like Tom Hanks. His relationship was only revealed during the paperwork. He also acted as Tom's stunt double in several scenes in the film. «"Forrest Gump".
Tom Hanks also has an older brother named Larry Hanks. He is an entomologist and professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a doctorate and has published research on how forest trees are kept pest-free by harboring natural organisms that feed on pests. (1,2)
3. Maria Anna Mozart was Mozart's older sister and an accomplished musician, considered one of the best in Europe. After she reached marriageable age, her parents no longer allowed her to showcase her talents.
Nannerl, whose real name was Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia Mozart, was a musical genius, like her younger brother, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. At the age of seven, she learned to play the harpsichord from her father, Leopold. She made several concert tours to Paris and Vienna with her brother and father, and was greeted with applause everywhere. Her talents rivaled those of her brother, and she was known not only as an excellent harpsichordist but also as a good pianist. Sometimes her name appeared in the concert credits (at the top of the list of performers).
If Nannerl's parents hadn't forbidden her from attending concerts when she turned 18, she would have made an even more illustrious name for herself in history. Due to 18th-century social attitudes, Nannerl was forced to remain at home after reaching marriageable age. In his letters, Wolfgang repeatedly praised the musical works she composed.
Nannerl was an obedient child, did not go against her father's will, and despite falling in love with a captain and private tutor named Franz Lippold, at the age of 32 she married a widower, a justice of the peace, at her father's request in 1783. She spent 14 years at home. (source)
4. Enrique Iglesias's father, Julio Iglesias, is a professional footballer and Spanish singer. He has sold over 250 million records worldwide. In Spain, he is the most-sold artist in history, reaching 23 million copies sold.
In his youth, Enrique's father, Julio Iglesias, was a goalkeeper for Real Madrid's Castilla in the Second Division. But his professional football career ended after a car accident left him unable to walk for two years. He studied law while he could still play football, but his calling was music. It was the accident that led him to discover music: a nurse gave him a guitar to help him regain the dexterity of his hands.
In 1968 he took part in the International Song Festival in Benidorm (Spain) and won with the song "« La vida sigue igual». His musical career took off after signing a contract with the Spanish branch of Columbia Records.
Julio sang in languages such as French, German, Portuguese, English, Spanish, and others. He rose to fame in 1983, recording songs in most languages. In 2013, he was recognized as the Latin American artist with the most album sales. He has performed over 5,000 concerts, is one of the top ten best-selling music artists in history, and has sold over 250 million records worldwide. Julio's ex-wife and Iglesias's mother is Filipina television host and journalist Isabel Preysler. (source)
5. Brad Pitt has a younger brother named Douglas Pitt, who became the first American to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and ride a mountain bike down it.
Douglas Pitt, Brad Pitt's younger brother and a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Republic of Tanzania, is also the founder of Care To Learn, a US-based nonprofit that addresses issues of hunger, hygiene, and child health. He is also a businessman, having founded ServiceWorld Computer Center in 1991, which merged with TSI Global in 2013. He also owns Pitt Development Group, a company specializing in the construction of medical office space.
A keen road and mountain biker, in January 2013 he became the first American to climb and descend Mount Kilimanjaro on a mountain bike. While this would have been illegal in Tanzania, he received a special permit from the government to climb Kilimanjaro by bike. This trip helped raise $250,000 for clean water projects in the country. He completed the trip again in March 2013, raising another $250,000. These mountain bike trips were sponsored by The Hershey Company, Trek Bikes, and Eddie Bauer's First Ascent. (source)