American Royal Wedding - Eleanor Roosevelt

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1984.  She is the niece of former president Theodore Roosevelt.  In 1902 when Eleanor was 17 years old she met her distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Franklin took a shine to Eleanor and immediately started showing affection towards her, much to the dismay of his mother Sarah Roosevelt.  Franklin's ardor towards Eleanor grew and in 1903 he decides to ignore his mother's objections and begins courting Eleanor.  In November 1904 Franklin and Eleanor became engaged.  Sarah Roosevelt was not pleased, so she took her son away on a cruise hoping that the separation would cool his feelings for Eleanor.  It didn't and upon Sarah and Franklin's return, a date was set for the wedding.  On March 17, 1905 Franklin Delano Roosevelt married Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin once removed (what ever that means).

The wedding was a high society wedding and president Theodore Roosevelt attended, yet this is the only photo of the wedding that I could find online.  I could not even find one with Franklin standing with his bride.  Maybe Sarah Roosevelt had them all burned except for this one?...hee hee haa haa

Franklin and Eleanor traveled to Venice, Italy for their honeymoon.  Franklin took this picture of his bride riding in a gondola.  I just LOVE a love story where the groom marries the woman he loves no matter what anyone else has to say about it.  Franklin Roosevelt stood up against fierce opposition from his mother Sarah.  Good for you Franklin, you showed determination and resolve to marry the woman who stole your heart.  

Sarah Roosevelt with her future daughter in law Eleanor

I am not sure why Sarah objected to her son marrying Eleanor.  Unfortunately, Eleanor was not considered a beauty and that probably had something to do with it.  I admire Franklin for seeing the beauty in Eleanor inside and out.  

Young Eleanor and Franklin

Franklin and Eleanor attending another family wedding in 1904.

   Eleanor at Campobello Island, New York

A photo of the Roosevelts at their home in Albany, New York.  Franklin went on to become the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 to 1945.  This was befire term limits began.  Franklin served four terms as president and passed away during the fourth term.
 

Eleanor Roosevelt passed away in 1962.