On March 22, Ronda Rousey’s mom, Dr. Annmaria De Mars, informed a TMZ cameraman that her grandfather, and Rousey’s great grandfather, was Dr. Alfred Waddel. Dr. Waddel was one of the first black physicians in North America and a well-known activist in the Canadian Civil Rights movement that took places in the mid to late 1900s. Born and raised in Trinidad, he migrated to Canada and began his journey to becoming a physician.
So, how did this little known fact make it’s way into the conversation? Rousey’s mom was not shy about telling the cameraman that her favorite movie was “Before His Time” which gives viewers an insight into the life and times of her grandfather, Dr. Waddel. She also went on to share that they show his movie every Black History Month in Canada. The Twittersphere took off to express their opinions on this Rousey family tree reveal.
Some welcomed the news.
Not only is Ronda Rousey part Black, but she’s a Trini? https://t.co/EOZcO1vzGk
— Yo Gaudi (@DearLeader10) March 24, 2016
This year we lost Ben Carson as a Black history month figure, but we have now gained Ronda Rousey. I’ll take it. https://t.co/lg4gnK6MUs
— Mr. Bennett (@JB45mill) March 24, 2016
Cedric the Entertainer — Proud Of Ronda Rousey’s Blackness … Put Her On Love & Hip Hop! https://t.co/Q9kkvHOXeb
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 24, 2016
Others examined the physical representations of the family line.
Yeah…Rousey had both Black and Hispanic roots. HOWEVER..she still presents herself as “blonde white woman”. https://t.co/X3iddFRsZ8
— Ah-MAH-dēs (@Amaris_Acosta) March 24, 2016
Ronda Rousey has a Black great grandfather and no one would’ve known because clearly he passed for White lmfao
— child of Oshun (@NeezLouize) March 24, 2016
And some prophesied what this means for the UFC fighter.
Ronda Rousey gotta come to the ring with Future at her next fight to solidify her blackness
— Uncle Leo (@Notufatjesus_) March 24, 2016
So if @RondaRousey starts saying the n word, who gone check her? #notit 👊🏾🙊
— Be Leather (@BeLeather) March 24, 2016
@RondaRousey So enlight of finding out about your grandfather, can I get your number?
— Christoper Gamble (@peddie09) March 24, 2016
Rousey has not commented on the recent revelation any further, but we definitely know her mom is proud to be the granddaughter of such a phenomenal man! Check out this video to learn more about Dr. Waddel.
