The most influential 'nepo babies' throughout history, from the Borgias to the the British prime minister that likely inspired the phrase 'Bob's your uncle'

Lauren FriasJan 9, 2023, 20:53 IST

Dictionary definition of nepotism.iStock / Getty Images

Nepotism sparked a debate after Vulture highlighted a number of "nepo babies" in the entertainment industry.
The term derives from the Latin root, "nepos," meaning nephew, originating from popes granting their nephews high-ranking positions.

Recently, nepotism has pervaded public discourse on the internet, particularly referring to the children of famous parents in Hollywood.

Maya Hawke's parents are Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

But "nepo babies" have been around for centuries, and their influence spreads far beyond Hollywood.

Hailey Bieber is seen on January 6, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.GC Images

Nepotism, referring to those in places of power or influence favoring their relatives or friends, has been discussed by several philosophers since ancient times, including Aristotle and Confucius.

A composite image of philosophers Aristotle and Confucius.Bettmann / Contributor via Getty Images/Business Insider

Nepotism, referring to those in places of power or influence favoring their relatives or friends, has been discussed by several philosophers since ancient times, including Aristotle and Confucius.

The term originally derives from the Latin root, "nepos," meaning nephew or grandson. It originated from the tradition in the Roman Catholic Church of granting high-ranking positions to relatives of the pope, including elevating papal nephews to be cardinals. "Nephews" also became used as a euphemistic term referring to the illegitimate sons of Pope Alexander VI, who named his son, Cesare Borgia, to be a cardinal.

Pope Alexander VI, born Roderic Llancol i de Borgia, was Pope from 11 August 1492 until his death. He is the most controversial of the Renaissance popes, because he broke the priestly vow of celibacy and had several legitimately acknowledged children.Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The term originally derives from the Latin root, "nepos," meaning nephew or grandson. It originated from the tradition in the Roman Catholic Church of granting high-ranking positions to relatives of the pope, including elevating papal nephews to be cardinals. "Nephews" also became used as a euphemistic term referring to the illegitimate sons of Pope Alexander VI, who named his son, Cesare Borgia, to be a cardinal.

The papal practice sparked harsh criticism of the church, and in 1667, Italian critic Gregorio Leti wrote a satire titled "Il Nipotismo di Roma," which was translated into English as "The History of the Popes' Nephews." The expression later evolved into its modern counterpart, "nepotism," meaning of favoritism of a relative or friend by a powerful person.

Pope Alexander VI was Pope from 11 August 1492 until his death.Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The papal practice sparked harsh criticism of the church, and in 1667, Italian critic Gregorio Leti wrote a satire titled "Il Nipotismo di Roma," which was translated into English as "The History of the Popes' Nephews." The expression later evolved into its modern counterpart, "nepotism," meaning of favoritism of a relative or friend by a powerful person.

Though nepotism as an expression evolved around the 14th and 15th centuries, the practice dates much further back, even to the foundations of Athenian politics in ancient Greece. Pericles, the famed Athenian statesman, was known to have descended from well-known political families.

Bust of Pericles. Modern copy after an original in the British Museum.Wikimedia

Though nepotism as an expression evolved around the 14th and 15th centuries, the practice dates much further back, even to the foundations of Athenian politics in ancient Greece. Pericles, the famed Athenian statesman, was known to have descended from well-known political families.

Ancient Rome had its own 'nepo baby' after Julius Caesar appointed his son Augustus, also known as Octavian, as the first Roman emperor.

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (63 BC-14 AD), known as Augustus Caesar, was the first Roman Emperor in 27 BC.Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

The US political system has also seen its share of nepotism. Before making his way into the White House, President John Quincy Adams worked a number of positions during the administration of his father, President John Adams. The elder Adams also appointed his son-in-law for several government positions during his presidency, as well as his brother-in-law to postmaster and father-in-law to superintendent of stamps.

George P.A. Healy

The US political system has also seen its share of nepotism. Before making his way into the White House, President John Quincy Adams worked a number of positions during the administration of his father, President John Adams. The elder Adams also appointed his son-in-law for several government positions during his presidency, as well as his brother-in-law to postmaster and father-in-law to superintendent of stamps.

In 1961, US President John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as Attorney General of the United States. But in 1967, a law was passed to prohibit federal officials from hiring close relatives. It became known as the "Bobby Kennedy law."

Robert F. Kennedy and his brother John F. Kennedy.Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

In 1961, US President John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as Attorney General of the United States. But in 1967, a law was passed to prohibit federal officials from hiring close relatives. It became known as the "Bobby Kennedy law."

Even the phrase, 'Bob's your uncle,' usually appended after a set of simple instructions, has roots in nepotism. In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, as chief secretary for Ireland, and later succeeded his uncle as prime minister, likely coining the familiar catchphrase.

British statesman and Prime Minister Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-CecilUniversal History Archive/Getty Images

Even the phrase, 'Bob's your uncle,' usually appended after a set of simple instructions, has roots in nepotism. In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, as chief secretary for Ireland, and later succeeded his uncle as prime minister, likely coining the familiar catchphrase.

Former Indonesian President Suharto used his political influence to benefit his children, whose businesses profited off of a number of industries in the country, including toll roads and cigarette production. This practice led to the creation of the resistance slogan "Corruption, Collusion, Nepotism."

Suharto on board of his private plane during his trip in Java, Indonesia on February 3rd, 1978.Francois Lochon/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Former Indonesian President Suharto used his political influence to benefit his children, whose businesses profited off of a number of industries in the country, including toll roads and cigarette production. This practice led to the creation of the resistance slogan "Corruption, Collusion, Nepotism."

Nepotism permeates the political sphere in India, as well. Rahul Gandhi, former president of the Indian National Congress whose father and grandfather served as prime ministers of the country, even acknowledged the practice. "My father was in politics. My grandmother and great-grandfather were in politics. So, it was easy for me to enter politics," he said. "This is a problem. I am a symptom of this problem."

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at the Congress party headquarters to attend the Congress working committee meeting to review the party's election performance in New Delhi, India.Atul Loke/Getty Images

Nepotism permeates the political sphere in India, as well. Rahul Gandhi, former president of the Indian National Congress whose father and grandfather served as prime ministers of the country, even acknowledged the practice. "My father was in politics. My grandmother and great-grandfather were in politics. So, it was easy for me to enter politics," he said. "This is a problem. I am a symptom of this problem."

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The most influential 'nepo babies' throughout history, from the Borgias to the the British prime minister that likely inspired the phrase 'Bob's your uncle'

Recently, nepotism has pervaded public discourse on the internet, particularly referring to the children of famous parents in Hollywood.

But "nepo babies" have been around for centuries, and their influence spreads far beyond Hollywood.

Nepotism, referring to those in places of power or influence favoring their relatives or friends, has been discussed by several philosophers since ancient times, including Aristotle and Confucius.

Though nepotism as an expression evolved around the 14th and 15th centuries, the practice dates much further back, even to the foundations of Athenian politics in ancient Greece. Pericles, the famed Athenian statesman, was known to have descended from well-known political families.

Ancient Rome had its own 'nepo baby' after Julius Caesar appointed his son Augustus, also known as Octavian, as the first Roman emperor.

In 1961, US President John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as Attorney General of the United States. But in 1967, a law was passed to prohibit federal officials from hiring close relatives. It became known as the "Bobby Kennedy law."