Introduction
Kathy Hochul is set to become the first female governor of New York after Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation amid sexual harassment allegations. Hochul, who has been serving as the lieutenant governor since 2015, will take over the state’s highest office on August 24, 2021.
But as Hochul prepares to make history, a rumor has been circulating online that she is related to another powerful female politician: Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. According to some social media posts, Hochul is Pelosi’s stepsister, implying that they share a family connection and a political agenda.
Is there any truth to this claim? Or is it just another example of misinformation spreading on the internet? In this article, we will examine the facts and debunk the rumor.
The Origin of the Rumor
The rumor that Hochul is Pelosi’s stepsister seems to have originated from a tweet by a user named @RealMattCouch on August 10, 2021. The tweet read: “BREAKING: Kathy Hochul, who will replace Andrew Cuomo as Governor of New York is Nancy Pelosi’s Step Sister… You can’t make this stuff up folks…”
The tweet was accompanied by a screenshot of a Google search result that showed Hochul and Pelosi’s names as related people. However, this was not a reliable source of information, as Google’s algorithm often shows people who are associated by profession, not by blood.
The tweet quickly went viral, garnering over 6,000 retweets and 11,000 likes as of August 12, 2021. Many users expressed shock and outrage at the alleged family tie, while others questioned its validity. Some users also shared similar posts on Facebook and Instagram, further spreading the rumor.
The Facts
However, a simple fact-check reveals that Hochul and Pelosi are not related in any way. They do not share any parents, siblings, or other relatives. They are both Democrats, but that does not make them family.
Hochul was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 27, 1958. She is one of six children of John Patrick “Jack” Courtney and Patricia Jane (née Kelly) Courtney. Her father was a steelworker and a union organizer, while her mother was a homemaker. Her parents were married until her mother’s death in 2014.
Pelosi was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 1940. She is the only daughter and youngest child of Thomas D’Alesandro Jr. and Annunciata (née Lombardi) D’Alesandro. Her father was a Democratic politician who served as the mayor of Baltimore and a U.S. representative from Maryland. Her mother was also active in politics and civic affairs. Her parents were married until her father’s death in 1987.
Hochul married William Joseph Hochul Jr., a former U.S. attorney and a current executive at Delaware North Companies, in 1984. They have two children: William III and Katie.
Pelosi married Paul Francis Pelosi, a businessman and investor, in 1963. They have five children: Nancy Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul Jr., and Alexandra.
The Verdict
Therefore, based on the available evidence, we can conclude that the rumor that Hochul is Pelosi’s stepsister is false. There is no proof or indication that they have any familial relationship whatsoever. They are both prominent female leaders in the Democratic Party, but that does not make them kin.
This rumor is an example of how misinformation can spread quickly and easily on social media platforms without proper verification or fact-checking. It is important to always check the sources and credibility of any information before sharing or believing it.
