Franklin D. Roosevelt's family history significantly shaped his political ambitions. Growing up in a privileged background, the son of a prominent New York family, he was exposed to wealth and social responsibility early on. His fifth cousins, the Roosevelts, were influential in politics, fostering an environment that valued public service. His mother, Sarah Delano Roosevelt, played a crucial role in instilling strong values and ambitions in him. Additionally, his distant cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, inspired him to pursue a political career. This background provided both resources and expectations that guided Roosevelt's trajectory toward becoming a transformative U.S. president.