Before Monica Lewinsky’s parents were even born, the biggest ever presidential sex scandal was the torrid affair between Nan Britton and former President and Commander in Chief Warren Harding. Thanks to DNA evidence obtained by the Britton family, it is now confirmed that Harding fathered Britton’s daughter, Elizabeth Ann.

Harding’s administration was a bright meteor of ineptitude that burned out after only three years when he died of a cerebral hemorrhage. He is often ranked as one of the worst American presidents the United States ever had. While he wasn’t an impressive leader, Harding captured the heart of Nan Britton, the daughter of a family friend who was 31 years his junior. Their ensuing affair was kept secret even after Britton gave birth to their daughter in 1919.

The relationship didn’t come to light until after Britton published a tell-all memoir describing their affair and the many places it was consummated in 1928. Since Harding died five years prior to the publishing of the book, Britton and her family had no way to prove that the affair had ever happened–until now.

Peter and Abigail Harding contacted James Blaesing, Nan Britton’s grandson and the alleged grandson of the former president, so they could finally put this mystery to rest. DNA comparisons showed that Blaesing and the two Hardings were second cousins, which means that Nan Britton had been telling the truth all along.

Is this a love story? The satisfying conclusion of a family drama? We’ll let history decide.

The New York Times.