Gracie Family Tree: Complete BJJ Lineage Guide (All Generations)

Gracie Family Tree: Complete BJJ Lineage Guide (All Generations)

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts | Last Updated: February 4, 2026

The Gracie family tree is the foundation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Starting with Carlos Gracie learning from Mitsuyo Maeda in 1914, this family transformed Japanese Judo into the revolutionary grappling art we know today. Through 5 generations of fighters, innovators, and teachers, the Gracies proved BJJ’s superiority via the famous Gracie Challenge and early UFC events.

This visual guide traces every major branch, their contributions, and how they connect to modern academies.

Generation 1: The Founders (Gastão’s Sons)

Gastão Gracie had 5 sons who became the first BJJ masters:

Gastão Gracie
├── Carlos Gracie Sr. (1902-1994) - Learned from Maeda, taught his brothers
├── Oswaldo Gracie (1902-?) - Early Gracie Academy instructor
├── Gastão Jr. (1906-?) - Helped open first academy in 1925
├── George Gracie (1908-?) - Competitor and teacher
└── Hélio Gracie (1913-2009) - The frail genius who created leverage-based BJJ


Key Contribution: Carlos and Hélio opened the first Gracie Academy in 1925 in Rio de Janeiro.​

Generation 2: The Expansion (Carlos & Hélio’s Children)

This generation spread BJJ across Brazil through Vale Tudo fights and academies.

Carlos Gracie Sr.’s 21 Children:

Carlos Gracie Sr.
├── Carlson Gracie (1932-2006) - Aggressive style pioneer
├── Carley Gracie (1935-?) - Challenger fighter
├── Rolls Gracie (1951-1978) - Technical innovator
├── Carlos Gracie Jr. (1941-?) - IBJJF founder
├── Rorion Gracie (1952-?) - Created UFC 1
└── ... (18 more including Relson, Rolls, etc.)


Hélio Gracie’s 9 Children:

Hélio Gracie
├── Rickson Gracie - Undefeated Vale Tudo legend
├── Relson Gracie - Alliance Jiu-Jitsu founder
├── Royce Gracie - UFC 1-4 champion
├── Royler Gracie - Early ADCC competitor
└── Robin Gracie - Gracie Barra lineage


Key Contribution: Rickson (11-0 record) and Royce proved BJJ against strikers.​

Generation 3: The Modern Champions

The sons and daughters who dominated IBJJF Worlds and ADCC:

Key Gen 3 Fighters:
├── Roger Gracie (son of Relson) - 10x World Champion
├── Renzo Gracie (son of Rolls) - MMA pioneer
├── Ralph Gracie (son of Carlos Jr.) - No-Gi specialist
├── Kyra Gracie (granddaughter of Carlos Sr.) - Female pioneer
└── Kron Gracie (son of Rickson) - Current competitor


Key Contribution: Roger Gracie won 10 black belt Worlds, proving fundamentals reign supreme.

The Family Feuds & Modern Branches

The Gracies eventually split into major academies:

• Gracie Barra (Carlos Jr.) – Largest global network
• Alliance (Relson Gracie lineage) – Competition focus
• Renzo Gracie Academy – NYC MMA hub
• 10th Planet (Eddie Bravo, trained under Jean Jacques Machado – Gracie cousins)

Visual Gracie Family Tree

Gastão Gracie
│
├── Carlos Sr. ──▶ Carlson, Rolls, Rorion, Carlos Jr.
│ │
│ └──▶ Roger (via Relson), Renzo
│
└── Hélio ──▶ Rickson, Royce, Royler, Relson
│
└──▶ Kron Gracie


Why the Gracie Family Tree Matters Today

Every major BJJ academy traces back to this lineage.

When choosing a school, ask: “What Gracie lineage do you follow?” Understanding these connections helps you find authentic instruction rooted in the Gracie Challenge philosophy.

Related Guides:

• BJJ Black Belt Guide
• Coral Belts in BJJ
• BJJ Belt System

Conclusion

The Gracie family tree isn’t just genealogy—it’s BJJ history.

From Carlos learning 5 techniques from Maeda to Royce submitting 3 strikers in UFC 1, this family tested every hold in real combat. Study their branches to understand where modern BJJ academies originated.