Anthony Ramos, known for his roles in Broadway and film, recently discovered his royal lineage on the PBS docuseries Finding Your Roots. In a surprising revelation, Ramos learned that his 15th great grandfather, Andrés de Llerena, was a Guanche enslaved man who married into royalty on the Canary Islands. The episode showcased Ramos' reaction to this newfound connection to royalty, with Gates highlighting the historical significance of his ancestor's lineage.
De Llerena's story sheds light on the complex history of the Guanche people, who were indigenous to the Canary Islands. The Spaniards' conquest of the islands in the 15th century led to the dispersal of the Guanche population as slaves, a fact that resonated with Ramos as he reflected on his ancestor's enslavement.
