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The Untold Secret: What Happened To Babe Ruth's Two Daughters And His Living Descendants Today

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The legacy of George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr., the Sultan of Swat, is one of baseball's most enduring sagas, yet the story of his immediate family, particularly his two daughters, remains a complex and often misunderstood chapter of his life. As of late 2024, the direct connection to the legendary slugger has become a memory, following the passing of his last surviving child, a monumental event that shifted the focus entirely onto the next generations who now champion his name.

The truth about Babe Ruth's children—Dorothy Ruth and Julia Ruth Stevens—is a fascinating tale of adoption, a secret biological parentage, and two distinct women who spent their lives navigating the immense shadow of their larger-than-life father. Their stories, though different, converge on a singular mission: to preserve the authentic history of the man known as The Bambino for future generations, a task now carried forward by an active group of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Babe Ruth's Daughters: A Complete Biographical Profile

Babe Ruth was married twice. His first marriage to Helen Woodford and his second to Claire Merritt Hodgson shaped the lives and public perception of his two daughters, Dorothy and Julia. The details of their births and adoptions are critical to understanding the complexity of the Ruth family tree.

  • Name: Dorothy Ruth Pirone (née Dorothy Ruth)
  • Relationship to Babe Ruth: Biological Daughter (from an affair with Juanita Jennings, but raised as adopted by Babe and his first wife, Helen Woodford).
  • Born: June 7, 1921, in New York, New York.
  • Spouse(s): Daniel J. Sullivan (divorced), Frank J. Pirone.
  • Children: She had five children, including her daughter, Linda Ruth Tosetti.
  • Died: May 18, 1989, at the age of 67.
  • Legacy Role: She authored the book My Dad, the Babe: Growing Up with an American Hero, which revealed the truth about her biological mother after her father's death.
  • Name: Julia Ruth Stevens (née Julia Hodgson)
  • Relationship to Babe Ruth: Adopted Daughter (Biological daughter of Babe’s second wife, Claire Merritt Hodgson, from a previous marriage).
  • Born: July 16, 1916, in Athens, Georgia.
  • Spouse(s): Richard Flanders, Grant Meloon, George Stevens.
  • Children: She had two children, including her son, Tom Stevens.
  • Died: March 5, 2024, at the age of 102.
  • Legacy Role: She was the last surviving direct link to Babe Ruth and served as a tireless ambassador for his legacy, frequently appearing at baseball events and Hall of Fame ceremonies well into her centenarian years.

The Secret of Dorothy Ruth and The Unconventional Family

The story of Dorothy Ruth Pirone is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Babe Ruth's private life, a narrative that remained largely hidden from the public for decades. When Babe Ruth and his first wife, Helen Woodford, adopted Dorothy in 1921, the public was led to believe she was an orphan.

The Hidden Truth:

In reality, Dorothy was Babe Ruth's biological daughter, born from an affair with a woman named Juanita Jennings. Helen, who was unable to have children, agreed to raise Dorothy as their own. Dorothy herself did not discover the full truth until after her father’s death in 1948, when she was 27 years old. The revelation caused a significant emotional rift and led her to write her memoir, which detailed the complex family dynamics.

Dorothy’s childhood, spent with her father and Helen, was often lonely and tumultuous, shadowed by Ruth's celebrity and frequent absences. She was raised in the shadow of the New York Yankees, but the stability of a traditional family life was often elusive.

The Formation of the "Stepsister" Bond:

Julia, born Julia Hodgson, was the biological daughter of Claire Merritt Hodgson, a model and actress whom Babe Ruth married in 1929 following Helen Woodford's death. When Claire and Babe married, he formally adopted Julia, and Claire adopted Dorothy. This created a unique, blended family where both girls were legally and emotionally sisters, despite their different biological and adoptive paths.

Julia Ruth Stevens, unlike Dorothy, enjoyed a more stable and public relationship with her father, becoming his constant companion during his later years. She often spoke fondly of The Bambino, emphasizing his generosity and love for children, a stark contrast to the troubled image often portrayed in biographies.

The Living Legacy: Who Carries the Ruth Name Today?

With the passing of Julia Ruth Stevens in 2024, the responsibility of preserving the Babe Ruth legacy falls squarely on the shoulders of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These descendants are not merely figureheads; they are active promoters of his memory, frequently appearing at baseball events, museums, and charity functions.

The family’s dedication ensures that the story of the Hall of Famer remains relevant in modern baseball history.

Key Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

The most prominent figures carrying the Ruth torch today are the children of Dorothy and Julia. They play a crucial role in managing the intellectual property, memorabilia, and public image of the baseball icon.

  • Linda Ruth Tosetti (Granddaughter): As the daughter of Dorothy Ruth Pirone, Linda is Babe Ruth's only biological granddaughter. She is perhaps the most active ambassador of the family, often referred to as the "Keeper of the Flame." Linda travels extensively to share stories and promote the true, human side of her grandfather, focusing on his charitable work and personality. She has been instrumental in keeping the 'Sultan of Swat's' name in the public eye, particularly in discussions about baseball records and the history of the sport.
  • Tom Stevens (Grandson): The son of Julia Ruth Stevens, Tom is another key figure in the family's efforts. He often speaks alongside his sister and cousins, providing a perspective from the side of the family that grew up with Claire Merritt Ruth. Tom, along with his mother, helped manage the Babe Ruth estate and the use of his image and royalties.
  • Brent Stevens (Great-Grandson): Representing the fourth generation, Brent Stevens, Tom’s son, has also stepped into the public eye. He has been seen throwing out ceremonial first pitches at MLB games, symbolizing the continuity of the Ruth family legacy into the 21st century. His participation ensures that the story resonates with a younger audience.
  • Ellen Ruth Hourigan (Granddaughter): Another of Dorothy's children, Ellen is also involved in various family events and charitable endeavors related to her grandfather's name.

The Impact on the Babe Ruth Estate and Royalties

Babe Ruth's will and estate, which initially provided for his wife, Claire, and then split the remaining income between his two daughters, has been a complex legal and financial matter for decades. The will instructed his estate to purchase a lifetime payment annuity for Claire to ensure her security.

For a long time, the family, particularly Julia Ruth Stevens, received relatively little in the way of royalty checks from companies that used his image. However, in recent years, the family has become more organized and assertive in managing the intellectual property and image rights, ensuring that the descendants benefit from the continued commercial use of the iconic "Babe Ruth" name.

The family's decision to occasionally sell personal artifacts through auction houses, such as the one Linda Ruth Tosetti participated in, is often to fund the efforts to preserve and promote the *legacy* itself, rather than simply for personal gain. This includes supporting the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and other charitable causes that reflect the values of the man who redefined baseball.

The story of Babe Ruth's children and grandchildren is a powerful testament to the enduring nature of a true American icon. It is a narrative of two sisters—one biological and one adopted—who, despite the unconventional circumstances of their upbringing, united to protect the historical truth of their father, ensuring that the name George Herman Ruth Jr. remains synonymous with greatness for generations to come.

babe ruth children
babe ruth children

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