Paulina Longworth Sturm: The Short, Tragic Life of a Roosevelt Heiress

Paulina Longworth Sturm remains one of the more intriguing yet lesser-known figures of America’s political dynasties. Born into two of the most influential families of her time, she carried both the Roosevelt and Longworth legacies. Her life was brief, marked by privilege, societal expectation, tragedy, and ultimately an untimely death that cut her story short at just 31 years of age. Despite her obscurity compared to her famous relatives, Paulina’s story reveals the personal costs of living in the shadows of political giants.

Paulina was the daughter of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the outspoken and flamboyant daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, and Congressman Nicholas Longworth, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. She was born on February 14, 1925, a Valentine’s Day child whose life would, ironically, not be filled with the enduring love and stability that the date symbolized.

Paulina Longworth Sturm’s Grandparents

Understanding Paulina requires looking at her ancestry. On her mother’s side, her grandfather was none other than Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, war hero, conservationist, and reformer whose personality loomed large over American politics at the turn of the century. Her maternal grandmother was Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt’s first wife, who tragically died two days after giving birth to their daughter Alice in 1884.

Her paternal grandparents were Nicholas Longworth II and Susan Walker. The Longworth family held wealth, political standing, and prominence in Ohio, ensuring Paulina’s paternal side was equally established.

Thus, Paulina was born into a unique convergence of two powerful American families — the Roosevelts of New York and the Longworths of Ohio — a union of political influence, money, and prestige.

Childhood in a Political and Social Spotlight

Paulina’s early years were anything but ordinary. As the only child of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Washington’s most famous socialite, Paulina lived much of her childhood under a bright public spotlight. Alice was witty, sharp-tongued, and infamous for her biting commentary and independence. Her marriage to Nicholas Longworth was often rocky, plagued by gossip of affairs and distance. This climate inevitably shaped Paulina’s upbringing.

Though her mother adored her in her own way, Alice was not known for maternal warmth. Paulina often seemed more shy and reserved compared to her mother’s dazzling social presence. Those who knew her described her as gentle and somewhat melancholy, a stark contrast to the flamboyant Alice Roosevelt Longworth.

Marriage and Family: The Sturm Connection

In 1944, at just 19 years old, Paulina married Alexander McCormick Sturm, a Yale-educated artist, writer, and co-founder of the now-famous firearms manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co. Their union seemed promising — young, wealthy, and socially well-matched. The couple soon welcomed a daughter, Joanna Sturm, in 1946.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck early. Alexander Sturm died in 1951 at the age of just 28, leaving Paulina widowed with a young child. This devastating loss marked the beginning of Paulina’s decline into depression and substance struggles. Friends and acquaintances noted that she increasingly turned to alcohol and sleeping pills, unable to cope with grief and loneliness.

Joanna Sturm: The Daughter Who Carried On

Paulina’s daughter, Joanna Sturm, became the surviving heir of her mother’s legacy. After Paulina’s death in 1957, a bitter custody battle ensued. Ultimately, Alice Roosevelt Longworth — Paulina’s mother and Joanna’s grandmother — won custody and raised Joanna in Washington, D.C.

Joanna has largely lived a private life, though she occasionally surfaced in public contexts tied to the Roosevelt family. For Alice, who had a famously complicated relationship with her own daughter, raising Joanna became a form of second chance at motherhood.

The Final Years and Untimely Death

Paulina Longworth Sturm’s later years were troubled. Her marriage had ended in tragedy, and she never remarried. Friends noted she seemed increasingly fragile, burdened by depression and reliance on sleeping pills.

On January 27, 1957, at the age of 31, Paulina was found unconscious in her home. She died shortly afterward. An autopsy was ordered, and reports indicated an overdose of sleeping pills was the cause. Her death shocked Washington society and devastated her mother, Alice, who though known for her sharp wit and sometimes icy demeanor, was said to have been deeply grieved.

Her short life — just 31 years — stood in contrast to the vitality and endurance of her famous relatives. Where Theodore Roosevelt charged through life with forceful energy, his granddaughter Paulina faded too soon, a victim of sorrow and circumstance.

Is Paulina Longworth Sturm Still Alive?

The straightforward answer is no. Paulina died in 1957. She would be 100 years old today had she lived, but instead her memory survives largely through her daughter Joanna and the lasting fascination with the Roosevelt family. Her story underscores the sometimes-hidden struggles within America’s most glamorous dynasties.

Legacy of a Forgotten Roosevelt

Paulina Longworth Sturm never sought the spotlight the way her mother did. Unlike her grandfather Theodore Roosevelt, she left no political mark on the nation. Her legacy instead is more personal: a story of a woman born into privilege yet marked by tragedy.

Her name survives in genealogies, in Roosevelt family histories, and in the lives of her descendants. Her daughter Joanna, raised by Alice Roosevelt Longworth, represents the continuation of her lineage.

Though Paulina herself is gone, her life provides a poignant reminder that behind the grandeur of American dynasties lie individuals with struggles, heartbreak, and humanity.

Conclusion

Paulina Longworth Sturm’s story is one of contrasts — privilege and sorrow, political heritage and personal fragility. She was the granddaughter of Theodore Roosevelt, the daughter of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, and the wife of Alexander Sturm. Yet despite these monumental connections, her own life remained largely in the shadows, remembered today mostly for its brevity and its sadness.

Her daughter Joanna ensured the Roosevelt-Longworth lineage endured, but Paulina’s story remains a cautionary tale about the unseen burdens of fame and expectation.

For more deep dives into history, society, and forgotten figures, explore Megacine, where stories like Paulina’s come back to life.