President John Tyler Still Has One Living Grandchild — Seriously
This story is crazier than you think.
You know who President John Tyler is, right? You should know he spent some time in the White House, and that even though he died in 1862 in the early days of the American Civil War, he still has one grandchild living today.
How is that even possible?
It’s strange, but true. During his 71-year life, Tyler fathered 15 children, more than any other U.S. president. He had eight children with his first wife, Letitia Christian. In 1844, he married Julia Gardiner, with whom he had another seven children. All of his grandchildren should be dead by now, right?
Wrong!
Harrison Ruffin Tyler Still Lives
It’s true.
The 91-year-old grandson of the tenth American president spends his days in a Virginia nursing home. But that doesn’t keep him away from being a part of interesting history.
Because his second wife was so much younger, Tyler still fathered children throughout his sixties, including Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., born in 1853. He followed his father’s path by having Harrison while he was 75 and his wife aged 39.
