In a surprising quirk of law, Florida remains one of the few places in the United States where marrying your first cousin is still legal. A recent attempt to outlaw these unions failed to gain traction, leaving the practice permitted within the state’s borders – a fact that continues to spark debate and disbelief.
Currently, eighteen states allow first-cousin marriage, a tradition that feels increasingly archaic to many. While West Virginia moved to prohibit such unions back in 1955, Florida lawmakers have yet to follow suit, maintaining a legal allowance that dates back generations.
The bill that could have changed everything, House Bill 733, mysteriously stalled in the state legislature. Its failure wasn’t due to direct opposition, but rather a broader pattern of gridlock that prevented several key priorities – including a state budget and property tax reductions – from being enacted.
The continued legality of cousin marriage has prompted reactions from residents. Doug Schmidt, a Florida local, expressed his bewilderment, stating it’s “pretty unusual” and “should have been banned many years ago.” He questioned why even a simple step to remove the allowance wasn’t taken.
History reveals that such unions aren’t entirely uncommon, even among prominent figures. Albert Einstein, the renowned physicist, married his first cousin once removed, Elsa Löwenthal. Former President Franklin Roosevelt also had a familial connection to his wife, Eleanor, being her fifth cousin.
Despite the historical precedent, cousin marriage remains a relatively rare occurrence. Estimates suggest around 250,000 such unions exist in the U.S., and the practice is more widely accepted in certain regions, particularly within parts of the Middle East and North Africa.
