Exploring the Despicable Me Family Tree: Gru and Beyond
Originally posted at https://treemily.com/blog/despicable-me-gru-family-tree/
Have you ever wondered about the origins of your favorite villain-turned-hero, Gru, from the “Despicable Me” series? Well, you’re in luck!
In this article, we’ll delve into his mysterious lineage of notorious supervillains and look into Gru’s overall progression as a character. We’ll also take a closer look at the current Despicable Me family — Gru’s relationships with his adopted daughters Margo, Edith, and Agnes, his wife Lucy Wilde, and his twin brother, Dru.
And, finally, we’ll show you how to create your own family tree with Treemily!
Gru’s Ancestry and Early Life
Not much is known about Gru’s early life as we only get glimpses of his childhood and parents throughout the films. What we do know for sure is that Gru’s lineage traces back through generations of mischievous ancestors, as seen from the briefly shown family tree in Gru’s house.
Born to Marlena and the Bald Terror (aka Robert), Gru’s early years were filled with aspirations of following in his family’s villainous footsteps. However, his perspective on life would later shift when he would adopt Margo, Edith, and Agnes and form a bond with the girls.
Gru’s Transition from Villain to Hero
Gru’s journey from notorious supervillain to beloved hero is a central theme in the Despicable Me series. The first Despicable Me film introduces us to Gru at the height of his villainous career, plotting grand schemes and aiming for the title of “World’s Greatest Villain.”
However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he adopts three young girls (Margo, Edith, and Agnes) as part of a scheme to steal the moon. Initially viewing them as pawns in his plan, Gru’s heart begins to soften as he bonds with the girls and experiences the joys of fatherhood for the first time.
The pivotal moment comes when Gru, faced with a choice between his lifelong dream of stealing the moon and his newfound family, ultimately chooses the latter. When the film’s main antagonist Vector kidnaps the girls, Gru embarks on a rescue mission, showing his newfound selflessness. The sequel, Despicable Me 2, sees Gru fully embracing his role as a father and protector.
Lucy Wilde: Gru’s Partner and Wife
Introduced in Despicable Me 2, Lucy is initially an agent of the Anti-Villain League (AVL), who is recruiting Gru to assist in capturing a new villain threatening the world. One of the most compelling aspects of Lucy’s character is her unique blend of strength and vulnerability. While she exudes confidence in her role as an AVL agent, she also faces a great deal of insecurities and doubts, particularly in her interactions with Gru. Lucy’s character is also full of quirks, from her obsession with martial arts to her over-the-top spy gadgets.
In Despicable Me 3, Lucy’s role expands as she fully embraces her role as a mother figure to Margo, Edith, and Agnes — her interactions with the girls are as heartwarming and genuine as they get.
Creating Despicable Me Family Tree
Did you know you could recreate the famous Despicable Me family tree? With Treemily, it’s very simple!
All you need is to create a free account, choose your preferred family tree layout, and put in some basic information about the characters.
Don’t be put off by the amount of effort it may take to have all of them listed — it is really quick and simple! And don’t forget to add pictures of each of the family members as well as some facts about them!
Once you’re done, you can export it to a stunningly looking PDF or even have it printed on paper of the size of your choosing.
Excited to embark on your first genealogical adventure? Feel free to find out more useful guidance in our “how to make a family tree” manual!
Exploring the Extended Family and Minions
The Three Adopted Daughters: Margo, Edith, and Agnes
Despicable Me is centered on the relationship between Gru and his three adopted daughters: Margo, Edith, and Agnes. Together, they form a tight-knit family that exudes great energy — and their individual personalities play a huge part in it. Their quirks complement each other very well, creating a fun-to-watch dynamic.
Margo, the eldest of the three sisters, is the mature and the responsible one. She initially struggles to adjust to life with Gru, but eventually forms a deep bond with him as her father figure. She is always very protective of her younger sisters, Edith and Agnes, as he is the older sibling. while her unwavering support for Gru underscores her capacity for love and forgiveness.
Edith, the middle child, is the most rebellious of the three sisters. She doesn’t mind a bit of mischief, which always adds a dose of excitement to the family dynamic. At the same time, despite her rough exterior, Edith longs for acceptance and belonging, which she ultimately finds within her adoptive family.
Agnes, the youngest and arguably the most adorable of the three sisters, is often full of innocence and optimism. She has an unwavering belief in the goodness of the world, which at some point captures Gru, and becomes one of the main reasons he turns good. Her relationship with the adoptive father can only be described as one of unconditional love and trust.
Gru’s Twin Brother: Dru
Dru is introduced in Despicable Me 3 as the long-lost twin brother of Gru. Unlike his brother, Dru is very flamboyant and full of joy — he essentially represents everything Gru is not.
The dynamic between Gru and Dru is a central focus of Despicable Me 3, as the brothers try to work out their newfound relationship with a fun twist. While Gru has left his villainous past behind, Dru now has ambitions of following in their father’s footsteps and becoming a successful villain.
Dru’s character starts developing further when he starts interacting with Margo, Edith, and Agnes. He’s first reluctant to be an uncle to them, however, he later forms a deep bond with the girls. One other significant moment in Dru’s arc occurs during the brothers’ visit to the family mansion in Freedonia. As they explore their ancestral home and reconnect with their roots, they realize that their true strength lies not in villainy, but in their capacity to love and support each other as family.
Notable Ancestors
Not much is known about Gru’s extended family as we only get glimpses of them in the films. However, here are some notable ancestors that we know of:
- Robert Gru: Gru’s father, who instilled fear with his cunning and diabolical schemes, laying the groundwork for generations of villainy.
- Marlena Gru: Gru’s mother, who was more known for her dark influence from behind the scenes.
- Ron Gru: Gru’s distant relative and a famous pirate — his seafaring exploits also massively contributed to the family’s grim reputation.
- Miranda Gru: Gru’s distant relative who was believed to possess superhuman abilities and was considered one of the most formidable villains of her time.
- Elizabeth Gru: Gru’s distant relative who was also shrouded in mystery and was rumored to possess dark powers that influenced the world around her.
The Minions as Part of Gru’s Family
While the Minions may seem like just comedic sidekicks, they play a major role in Gru’s life.
Despite their mischievous tendencies, they share a special bond with their master — even when he turns good, they become integral members of Gru’s makeshift family, providing support and companionship. It never matters what Gru is doing — they will always be trying to help, although they may not always be the most useful.
Another distinct feature of the Minions is their language, Minionese. It combines complete gibberish and occasional English phrases to form a fun way of communication, which adds to the Minions’ charm and comedic appeal
Beyond their on-screen antics, the Minions have also left a mark on popular culture, spawning a successful media franchise of their own as well as a host of Internet memes.
Legacy and Influence of Gru’s Family on the Storyline
The Despicable Me Gru family tree boasts a great variety of fun characters, all of which affect the plot to varying extents.
First, we have the Gru’s infamous lineage, with a colorful cast of ancestors spanning centuries of mischievous exploits. From mad scientists to pirates, each generation of the Gru family tree provides a rich background for Gru’s and Dru’s characters and adds great depth to the overall plot.
Second, at the heart of the story we have the dynamic between Gru and his family members, each contributing their own quirks and strengths to the narrative arc. From the sibling rivalry between Gru and Dru to the interactions between the three adopted sisters, the familial bonds are the true drivers of the story.
Lastly, as a big addition to the first sequel, we have Lucy Wilde — another brilliant character, agent turned wife. Her interactions with Margo, Edith, and Agnes, coupled with her newfound role as a wife add another layer to the overarching story — and it’s great fun to see it all happen.
And would you like to see your family tree being passed from generation to generation? Treemily can help you!
You can create amazing family charts in our family tree builder in just a couple of steps!
Create a free account, choose your preferred tree layout, and put in the information about your family. Once you’re done, you can export it to a stunningly looking PDF or have it printed on paper of the size of your choosing. Let’s go!
FAQs
What Is Gru’s Full Name?
Gru’s full name is Felonius Gru (also sometimes spelled as Felonious Gru).
Why Did Gru Adopt Margo, Edith, and Agnes?
Gru’s decision to adopt Margo, Edith, and Agnes was initially driven by selfish motives, as he wanted to use the girls in his plan of stealing the moon.
What Was Gru’s Backstory Before Becoming a Villain?
Gru was born to a couple of supervillains, which almost predetermined his fate. On top of that, his childhood was rather troubled as Gru continuously lacked parental guidance and acceptance.
Who Are the Key Members of Gru’s Extended Family?
Some of the more notable members of Gru’s extended family are twin brother Dru and his parents Robert and Marlena Gru.
Are There Any Fan Theories or Speculations About Potential Future Storylines for the Despicable Me Family?
With the series’ rather silly nature, there aren’t too many fan theories that are grounded in facts and/or discuss serious plot developments — they are mostly limited to jokes and memes. However, the majority of the fans do expect to learn more about Gru’s past in future films, possibly involving his enigmatic parents or overlooked details from his villainous career.
