These famous people with German roots have left their mark on the USA

Famous Americans with roots in Germany: we introduce you to a number of really surprising examples

23.05.2025

Sandra Bullock — Sandra Bullock © dpa

More than ten percent of all people in the USA say that they or their ancestors come from Germany. We list a few famous examples:

Presidents and politicians

Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower – the ancestors of the famous Second World War general and 34th president of the USA came from the Odenwald region south of Frankfurt. They can be traced back to Hans Nikolaus Eisenhauer, who was born in 1691. — Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower – the ancestors of the famous Second World War general and 34th president of the USA came from the Odenwald region south of Frankfurt. They can be traced back to Hans Nikolaus Eisenhauer, who was born in 1691. © dpa

Industrialists and inventors

Heinrich E. Steinway – Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg was born in Seesen in 1797. He emigrated to the USA in 1850 and changed his name to Steinway. One of his sons, Theodor Steinweg, made pianos in Germany under the name Steinweg. — Heinrich E. Steinway – Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg was born in Seesen in 1797. He emigrated to the USA in 1850 and changed his name to Steinway. One of his sons, Theodor Steinweg, made pianos in Germany under the name Steinweg. © dpa

Business people in the food and beverages sector

Frederick Miller – born in Reidlingen in southwestern Germany in 1824, he learnt the brewery craft from his uncle. It was clear that he was a master of his trade when he emigrated to Milwaukee in the mid-19th century and bought a brewery there: people loved his beer. — Frederick Miller – born in Reidlingen in southwestern Germany in 1824, he learnt the brewery craft from his uncle. It was clear that he was a master of his trade when he emigrated to Milwaukee in the mid-19th century and bought a brewery there: people loved his beer. © IMAGO / Imago ImagesMedien

Eberhard Anheuser – emigrated to the USA from Bad Kreuzbach near Mainz in 1842. His Anheuser brewery was renamed Anheuser-Busch when his son-in-law Adolphus Busch joined the business. — Eberhard Anheuser – emigrated to the USA from Bad Kreuzbach near Mainz in 1842. His Anheuser brewery was renamed Anheuser-Busch when his son-in-law Adolphus Busch joined the business. © dpa

Richard Hellmann – was born in the town of Vetschau in the Spreewald region south of Berlin. He emigrated to New York City in 1903, and in around 1905 mixed the first Hellmann’s mayonnaise in his deli. Given that it’s sold in supermarkets all over the world nowadays, it must have tasted pretty good. — Richard Hellmann – was born in the town of Vetschau in the Spreewald region south of Berlin. He emigrated to New York City in 1903, and in around 1905 mixed the first Hellmann’s mayonnaise in his deli. Given that it’s sold in supermarkets all over the world nowadays, it must have tasted pretty good. © dpa

Frederick Miller – born in Reidlingen in southwestern Germany in 1824, he learnt the brewery craft from his uncle. It was clear that he was a master of his trade when he emigrated to Milwaukee in the mid-19th century and bought a brewery there: people loved his beer. — Frederick Miller – born in Reidlingen in southwestern Germany in 1824, he learnt the brewery craft from his uncle. It was clear that he was a master of his trade when he emigrated to Milwaukee in the mid-19th century and bought a brewery there: people loved his beer. © IMAGO / Imago ImagesMedien

Scientists and scholars

Hannah Arendt – fled to Paris in 1933 and then to New York in 1941 to escape the Nazis. A philosopher and political scientist,she taught at various US universities. — Hannah Arendt – fled to Paris in 1933 and then to New York in 1941 to escape the Nazis. A philosopher and political scientist,she taught at various US universities. © dpa

Celebs

Ruth Westheimer – legendary sex therapist Dr. Ruth was born near Würzburg. Her family took her from Frankfurt to Switzerland to keep her safe from the Nazis, but her parents were murdered. She joined the Haganah to fight for Israel’s independence and emigrated to the US to study at university. — Ruth Westheimer – legendary sex therapist Dr. Ruth was born near Würzburg. Her family took her from Frankfurt to Switzerland to keep her safe from the Nazis, but her parents were murdered. She joined the Haganah to fight for Israel’s independence and emigrated to the US to study at university. © dpa

Elvis Presley – Johann Valentin Pressler, the ancestor of the “King of Rock and Roll”, emigrated to America from the village of Niederhochstadt in Germany’s south Palatinate region in 1709. Elvis met his future wife Priscilla during his Army years in Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt in 1959. — Elvis Presley – Johann Valentin Pressler, the ancestor of the “King of Rock and Roll”, emigrated to America from the village of Niederhochstadt in Germany’s south Palatinate region in 1709. Elvis met his future wife Priscilla during his Army years in Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt in 1959. © dpa

Ruth Westheimer – legendary sex therapist Dr. Ruth was born near Würzburg. Her family took her from Frankfurt to Switzerland to keep her safe from the Nazis, but her parents were murdered. She joined the Haganah to fight for Israel’s independence and emigrated to the US to study at university. — Ruth Westheimer – legendary sex therapist Dr. Ruth was born near Würzburg. Her family took her from Frankfurt to Switzerland to keep her safe from the Nazis, but her parents were murdered. She joined the Haganah to fight for Israel’s independence and emigrated to the US to study at university. © dpa

Elvis Presley – Johann Valentin Pressler, the ancestor of the “King of Rock and Roll”, emigrated to America from the village of Niederhochstadt in Germany’s south Palatinate region in 1709. Elvis met his future wife Priscilla during his Army years in Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt in 1959. — Elvis Presley – Johann Valentin Pressler, the ancestor of the “King of Rock and Roll”, emigrated to America from the village of Niederhochstadt in Germany’s south Palatinate region in 1709. Elvis met his future wife Priscilla during his Army years in Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt in 1959. © dpa

Athletes and sportspeople

Lou Gehrig – one of the best baseball players in the sport’s history was born Ludwig Heinrich Gehrig to poor German emigrants in Manhattan in 1903. — Lou Gehrig – one of the best baseball players in the sport’s history was born Ludwig Heinrich Gehrig to poor German emigrants in Manhattan in 1903. © dpa

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