List of first ladies of the United States
First Lady of the United States | |
---|---|
since January 20, 2009 | |
Style | Mrs. Obama |
Residence | White House |
Inaugural holder | Martha Washington |
Formation | April 30, 1789 |
Website | First Ladies |
The First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. The position is traditionally filled by the wife of the President of the United States, but on occasion the title has been applied to women who were not Presidents' wives, such as when the President was a bachelor or widower, or when the wife of the President was unable to fulfill the duties of the First Lady herself. First Lady is not an elected position; it carries no official duties and receives no salary. Nonetheless, she attends many official ceremonies and functions of state either along with or in place of the President. Traditionally, First Lady does not hold outside employment while occupying the office.[1] The Office of the First Lady is also in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House. The First Lady has her own staff, including the White House Social Secretary, a Chief of staff, Press secretary, Chief Floral Designer, and Executive Chef. The Office of the First Lady is a branch of the Executive Office of the President.
According to the White House and the National First Ladies' Library, there have been forty-five First Ladies and forty-six First Ladyships. This discrepancy exists because Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and is counted chronologically as both the twenty-second and the twenty-fourth President; his wife Frances Cornelia Cleveland is also counted twice. Following Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20, 2009, his wife Michelle Obama became the forty-sixth First Lady, succeeding Laura Bush, wife of former President George W. Bush.
As of January 2009, there are six living former First Ladies: Betty Ford, widow of Gerald Ford; Rosalynn Carter, wife of Jimmy Carter; Nancy Reagan, widow of Ronald Reagan; Barbara Bush, wife of George H. W. Bush; Hillary Rodham Clinton, wife of Bill Clinton; and Laura Bush, wife of George W. Bush. The first First Lady of the US was Martha Custis Washington, married to George Washington. Presidents John Tyler and Woodrow Wilson had two official First Ladies – both remarried during their presidential tenures. The wives of four Presidents died before their husbands were sworn into Office but are still considered First Ladies by the White House and National First Ladies' Library: Martha Skelton Jefferson, wife of Thomas Jefferson; Rachel Robards Jackson, wife of Andrew Jackson; Hannah Van Buren, wife of Martin Van Buren; and Ellen Arthur, wife of Chester A. Arthur. Harriet Lane, James Buchanan's niece, is the only person who is considered an official First Lady, but was not married to a President.
In 2007, the United States Mint began releasing a set of half-ounce $10 gold coins under the First Spouse Program with engravings of portraits of the First Ladies on the obverse.[2] When a President served without a spouse, a gold coin is issued that bears an obverse image emblematic of Liberty as depicted on a circulating coin of that era and a reverse image emblematic of themes of that President's life. This is true for the coins for Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan's First Ladies, but not the coin for Chester A. Arthur's First Lady, which will instead depict suffragette Alice Paul.[3]
First Ladies
First Lady | Date of marriage | President | Entered White House | Left White House | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Martha Custis Washington[4][5] (née Dandridge) |
January 6, 1759 | George Washington | April 30, 1789 | March 4, 1797 | |
2 | Abigail Adams[6][7] (née Smith) |
October 25, 1764 | John Adams | March 4, 1797 | March 4, 1801 | |
3 | Martha Skelton Jefferson[8][9] (née Wayles) |
January 1, 1772 | Thomas Jefferson | —[n 1] | — | |
4 | Dolley Todd Madison[10][11] (née Payne) |
September 14, 1794 | James Madison | March 4, 1809 | March 4, 1817 | |
5 | Elizabeth Monroe[12][13] (née Kortright) |
February 16, 1786 | James Monroe | March 4, 1817 | March 4, 1825 | |
6 | Louisa Catherine Adams[14][15] (née Johnson) |
26 July, 1797 | John Quincy Adams | March 4, 1825 | March 4, 1829 | |
7 | Rachel Robards Jackson[16][17] (née Donelson) |
January 7, 1794 | Andrew Jackson | —[n 2] | — | |
8 | Hannah Van Buren[18][19] (née Hoes) |
January 7, 1794 | Martin Van Buren | —[n 3] | — | |
9 | Anna Harrison[20][21] (née Tuthill Symmes) |
November 22, 1795 | William Henry Harrison | March 4, 1841[n 4] | April 4, 1841 | |
10 | Letitia Tyler[22][23] (née Christian) |
March 29, 1813 | John Tyler | April 4, 1841 | September 10, 1842[n 5] | |
11 | Julia Tyler[24][25] (née Gardiner) |
June 26, 1844 | June 26, 1844[n 6] | March 4, 1845 | ||
12 | Sarah Polk[26][27] (née Childress) |
January 1, 1824 | James K. Polk | March 4, 1845 | March 4, 1849 | |
13 | Margaret Taylor[28][29] (née Mackall Smith) |
June 21, 1810 | Zachary Taylor | March 4, 1849 | July 9, 1850 | |
14 | Abigail Fillmore[30][31] (née Powers) |
February 5, 1826 | Millard Fillmore | July 9, 1850 | March 4, 1853 | |
15 | Jane Pierce[32][33] (née Means Appleton) |
November 19, 1834 | Franklin Pierce | March 4, 1853 | March 4, 1857 | |
16 | Harriet Lane[34][35] | —[n 7] | James Buchanan | March 4, 1857 | March 4, 1861 | |
17 | Mary Ann Lincoln[36][37] (née Todd) |
November 4, 1842 | Abraham Lincoln | March 4, 1861 | April 15, 1865 | |
18 | Eliza Johnson[38][39] (née McCardle) |
May 17, 1827 | Andrew Johnson | April 15, 1865 | March 4, 1869 | |
19 | Julia Boggs Grant[40][41] (née Dent) |
May 17, 1827 | Ulysses S. Grant | March 4, 1869 | March 4, 1877 | |
20 | Lucy Ware Hayes[42][43] (née Webb) |
December 30, 1852 | Rutherford B. Hayes | March 4, 1877 | March 4, 1881 | |
21 | Lucretia Garfield[44][45] (née Rudolph) |
December 30, 1852 | James A. Garfield | March 4, 1881 | September 19, 1881 | |
22 | Ellen Arthur[46][47] (née Lewis Herndon) |
October 25, 1859 | Chester A. Arthur | —[n 8] | — | |
23 | Frances Cornelia Cleveland[48][49] (née Folsom; later Preston) |
October 25, 1859 | Grover Cleveland | June 2, 1886[n 9] | March 4, 1889 | |
24 | Caroline Lavinia Harrison[50][51] (née Scott) |
October 20, 1853 | Benjamin Harrison | March 4, 1889 | October 25, 1892[n 10] | |
25 | Frances Cornelia Cleveland[48][49] (née Folsom; later Preston) |
October 25, 1859 | Grover Cleveland | March 4, 1893 | March 4, 1897 | |
26 | Ida McKinley[52][53] (née Saxton) |
January 25, 1871 | William McKinley | March 4, 1897 | September 14, 1901 | |
27 | Edith Kermit Roosevelt[54][55] (née Carow) |
December 2, 1886 | Theodore Roosevelt | September 14, 1901 | March 4, 1909 | |
28 | Portrait of Helen Taft | Helen Louise Taft[56][57] (née Herron) |
June 19, 1886 | William Howard Taft | March 4, 1909 | March 4, 1913 |
29 | Ellen Louise Wilson[58][59] (née Axson) |
June 19, 1886 | Woodrow Wilson | March 4, 1913 | August 6, 1914[n 11] | |
30 | Edith Galt Wilson[60][61] (née Bolling) |
December 18, 1915 | December 18, 1915 | March 4, 1921 | ||
31 | Florence Mabel deWolfe Harding[62][63] (née Kling) |
July 8, 1891 | Warren G. Harding | March 4, 1921 | August 2, 1923 | |
32 | Grace Anna Coolidge[64][65] (née Goodhue) |
October 4, 1905 | Calvin Coolidge | August 2, 1923 | March 4, 1929 | |
33 | Lou Hoover[66][67] (née Henry) |
October 4, 1905 | Herbert Hoover | March 4, 1929 | March 4, 1933 | |
34 | Eleanor Roosevelt[68][69] (née Roosevelt) |
March 17, 1905 | Franklin D. Roosevelt | March 4, 1933 | April 12, 1945 | |
35 | Elizabeth Virginia Truman[70][71] (née Wallace) |
June 28, 1919 | Harry S. Truman | April 12, 1945 | January 20, 1953 | |
36 | Mamie Geneva Eisenhower[72][73] (née Doud) |
July 1, 1916 | Dwight D. Eisenhower | January 20, 1953 | January 20, 1961 | |
37 | Portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy | Jacqueline Kennedy[74][75] (née Lee Bouvier, later Onassis) |
September 12, 1953 | John F. Kennedy | January 20, 1961 | November 22, 1963 |
38 | Claudia "Lady Bird" Alta Johnson[76][77] (née Taylor) |
November 7, 1934 | Lyndon B. Johnson | November 22, 1963 | January 20, 1969 | |
39 | Thelma "Pat" Catherine Nixon[78][79] (née Ryan) |
June 21, 1940 | Richard Nixon | January 20, 1969 | August 9, 1974 | |
40 | Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Warren Ford[80][81] (née Bloomer) |
October 15, 1948 | Gerald Ford | August 9, 1974 | January 20, 1977 | |
41 | Eleanor Rosalynn Carter[82][83] (née Smith) |
July 7, 1946 | Jimmy Carter | January 20, 1977 | January 20, 1981 | |
42 | Nancy Davis Reagan[84][85] (née Robbins; later Davis) |
March 6, 1952 | Ronald Reagan | January 20, 1981 | January 20, 1989 | |
43 | Barbara Bush[86][87] (née Pierce) |
January 6, 1945 | George H. W. Bush | January 20, 1989 | January 20, 1993 | |
44 | Hillary Clinton[88][89] (née Rodham) |
October 11, 1975 | Bill Clinton | January 20, 1993 | January 20, 2001 | |
45 | Laura Bush[90][91] (née Welch) |
November 5, 1977 | George W. Bush | January 20, 2001 | January 20, 2009 | |
46 | Michelle Obama[92][93] (née Robinson) |
October 3, 1992[94] | Barack Obama | January 20, 2009 | Incumbent |
See also
- List of First Ladies of the United States by longevity
- Living First Ladies of the United States
- First Family of the United States
- List of Presidents of the United States
- List of children of the Presidents of the United States
- Wife of the Vice President of the United States
Footnotes
- ^ Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson died in 1782, nineteen years before Thomas Jefferson became President. Their daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, assumed the role of White House hostess and unofficial First Lady during his incumbency; when she was unavailable Jefferson called upon Dolley Madison, wife of his Secretary of State, James Madison.[8][9]
- ^ Rachel Jackson died in December, 1828, three months before Andrew Jackson became President. Rachel's neice, Emily Donelson, assumed the role of White House hostess and unofficial First Lady until her death on December 19, 1836. Jackson's daughter-in-law, Sarah Yorke Jackson, was also brought into the White House to serve as White House hostess and unofficial First Lady on November 26, 1834. She remained at the White House until Jackson's term expired on March 4, 1837.[16][17]
- ^ Hannah Van Buren died on February 5, 1819, eighteen years before Martin Van Buren became President. Angelica Singleton Van Buren, Martin's daughter-in-law assumed the role of White House hostess and unofficial First Lady during his incumbency.[18][19]
- ^ Anna Harrison, President William Henry Harrison's wife, was too sick to travel with William to Washington D.C. for his inauguration, and asked their daughter-in-law Jane Irwin Harrison to accompany him and act as hostess until her proposed arrival in May. William Harrison died after serving only 31 days in office, and Anna never made the trip to the White House.[20][21]
- ^ Letitia Tyler died while her husband, John Tyler, was still in office. Their daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler acted as White House hostess and unofficial First Lady until John Tyler remarried on June 26, 1844.[22][23]
- ^ Julia Tyler married John Tyler on June 26, 1844.[24][25]
- ^ James Buchanan was a life-long bachelor. His niece, Harriet Lane served as First Lady.[34][35]
- ^ Ellen Arthur died in 1880. When Chester A. Arthur became President after James A. Garfield died, he asked his sister, Mary Arthur McElroy to be the White House hostess.[46][47]
- ^ Frances Cornelia Folsom married Grover Cleveland on June 2, 1886. Grover entered office on March 4, 1885 as a bachelor; his sister Rose Cleveland served as White House hostess until he and Frances married.[48][49]
- ^ Caroline Harrison died while her husband, Benjamin Harrison, was still in office. Their daughter, Mary Harrison McKee acted as White House hostess and unofficial First Lady for the remainder of his incumbency.[50][51]
- ^ Ellen Wilson died on August 6, 1914, while her husband Woodrow Wilson was still in office. Their daughter, Margaret Woodrow Wilson, acted as White House hostess and unofficial First Lady until he remarried on December 18, 1915.[58][59]
References
- ^ Caroli, Betty Boyd (2003). First Ladies from Martha Washington to Laura Bush. Oxford University Press. p. 200.
- ^ "The First Spouse Gold Coins". United States Mint. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ 31 U.S.C. § 5112(o)(3)(D)(i)(II) Denominations, specifications, and design of coins. The First Spouse Gold Coins. Cornell University. Retrieved on January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Martha Washington". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Martha Washington". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Abigail Adams". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Abigail Adams". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Martha Jefferson". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Martha Jefferson". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Dolley Madison". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Dolley Madison". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Elizabeth Monroe". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Elizabeth Monroe". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Louisa Adams". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Louisa Adams". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Rachel Jackson". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Rachel Jackson". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Hannah Van Buren". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Hannah Van Buren". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Anna Harrison". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Anna Harrison". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Letitia Tyler". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Letitia Tyler". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Julia Tyler". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Julia Tyler". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Sarah Polk". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Sarah Polk". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Margaret Taylor". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Margaret Taylor". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Abigail Fillmore". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Abigail Fillmore". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Jane Pierce". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Jane Pierce". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Harriet Lane". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Harriet Lane". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Mary Lincoln". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Mary Lincoln". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Mary Lincoln". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Mary Lincoln". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Julia Grant". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Julia Grant". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Lucy Hayes". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Lucy Hayes". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Lucretia Garfield". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Lucretia Garfield". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Ellen Arthur". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Ellen Arthur". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Biography of Frances Cleveland". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b c "First Lady Biography: Frances Cleveland". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Caroline Harrison". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Caroline Harrison". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Ida McKinley". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Ida McKinley". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Edith Roosevelt". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Edith Roosevelt". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Helen Taft". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Helen Taft". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ a b "Biography of Ellen Wilson". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Ellen Wilson". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Edith Wilson". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Edith Wilson". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Florence Harding". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Florence Harding". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Grace Coolidge". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Grace Coolidge". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Lou Hoover". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Lou Hoover". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Eleanor Roosevelt". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Bess Truman". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Bess Truman". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Mamie Eisenhower". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Mamie Eisenhower". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Jacqueline Kennedy". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Jackie Kennedy". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Lady Bird Johnson". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Lady Bird Johnson". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Pat Nixon". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Pat Nixon". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Betty Ford". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Betty Ford". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Rosalynn Carter". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Rosalynn Carter". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Rosalynn Carter". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Rosalynn Carter". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Barbara Bush". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Barbara Bush". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Hillary Clinton". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Hillary Clinton". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Laura Bush". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Laura Bush". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Laura Bush". Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "First Lady Biography: Michelle Obama". Canton, Ohio: National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ Fornek, Scott (October 3, 2007). "Michelle Obama: 'He Swept Me Off My Feet'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 10, 2009.