Presidents and Their First Ladies

Couple....................................................................... approximate length

George and Martha Washington.................................53 minutes
Did a marriage of convenience lead to our "First" First couple? If true love wasn't the spark of the marriage, it certainly grew as the years passed and Martha shared the struggles of George first during the revolution then the Presidency. She certainly deserved to share in the words of praise once spoken about her husband "first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of the countrymen".

John and Abigail Adams.......................................55 minutes
It's hard not to think of our second president John Adams without thinking of his wife Abigail. She certainly was with him every step of his extraordinary career which helped shaped our young nation. But few realize the great sacrifices they made as husband and wife and father and mother to help give birth to this nation. Our program tries to bring an understanding to this aspect of their lives.

James and Dolley Madison.......................................20 minutes
James Madison, being shy and soft spoken, found the perfect complimentary match in widowed Dolley Todd. Dolley added to the social side of being First Lady, plus became a political asset for her husband.

James and Elizabeth Monroe.....................................35 minutes
James Monroe nearly matched George Washington's record of being unanimously chosen President by the Electoral College--failing by only one vote. Although his wife had difficulties with her "image" as First Lady, she had performed earlier in her marriage one of the most courageous deeds ever attributed to a female of that era. Do you know what she did??

John Quincy and Louisa Adams.....................................55 minutes
John Quincy and Louisa (the only First Lady born outside of the United States) Adams had a difficult relationship in the first half of their marriage..so much so Louisa once started an autobiography entitled "Autobiography of a Nobody". But during John Quincy's Congressional years, they grew closer and became working partners expecially in regards to the question of slavery.

Andrew and Rachel Jackson......................................20 minutes
Discover the tragic reason Rachel was only a "First Lady Elect" and never truly "First Lady".

William Henry and Anna Harrison ...................................25 minutes
What can you say about a man who was President for only a month and a First Lady who never arrived in Washington? Actually quite a lot relating the events that led up to the Presidency. But perhaps more poignant is the tragic story of Mrs. Harrison not only suffering the sudden death of her husband, but also the deaths of 9 of her 10 children.

John and Letitia/Julia Tyler.......................................25 minutes
John and Letitia were married for nearly thirty years and Letitia was First Lady for almost two years. Yet John's second wife, Julia, who ruled the Executive Mansion for only eight months is more remembered. In fact, a tradition Julia began still continues today. Do you know what it is ?

James and Sarah Polk.................................... .........20 minutes.
You might say what Henry Clay did when he discovered who his opponent would be in 1844 "Who's James Polk?". Yet the United States acquired more land under Polk than any other President and his wife Sarah was the first truly political First Lady. Do you know what important role she played during her husband's administration?

Zachary and Margaret Taylor.....................................20 minutes
He was a General who dressed like more like a farmer and had never held political office before the Presidency. Margaret prayed fervently that he would not be elected. If his daughter Knox had not died young, the Taylor family would have had the rare distinction of having two "first ladies". Do you know how this might have been possible?

Millard and Abigail Fillmore.................................20 minutes
The rise of Millard and Abigail to the role of President and First Lady is truly the American Dream come true. Millard, as a young man, was an apprentice, in those days almost an indentured servant, and Abigail was a country school teacher. In fact, they first met in the classroom. His decision to support the Fugitive Slave Bill doomed his troubled Presidency, yet more tragic was the sudden death of Abigail a month following leaving office.

Franklin and Jane Pierce...........................................20 minutes
People in Washington felt great love for this couple when they left Washington, so why are they one of the least known Presidential couples? What makes their life story one of the most tragic? Why do many cry during this reading ?

Abraham and Mary Lincoln......................................65 minutes
After Abraham Lincoln's death, Mary Lincoln wrote:

I had an ambition to be Mrs. President; that ambition was gratified and now I must step down from the pedestal. My poor husband ! Had he never been President, he might be living today. Alas, all is over with me!.

That one sentence might sum up the relationship between two very contrasting personalities. Their mutual interest in politics was one of the things which attracted them to one another, yet their marriage became one of deep, true love for one another, each overlooking the other's negative qualities. From our point of view, no other First Lady suffered as many personal tragedies and public humiliations.

Andrew and Elisa Johnson........................................40 minutes
Andrew Johnson was the only Southern Senator who stayed loyal to the Union, and that brought him to the Vice-Presidency on the Union Ticket in 1864 with President Lincoln, which led to his ascent to the Presidency and then having to escape death threats and impeachment. Elisa was a strong figure in his life, but always in the back ground. They were the "First Couple" who married at the youngest age. Do you know how old they were? And what distinction alone of all our ex-Presidents does Andy Johnson hold?

Ulysses and Julia Grant...........................................30 minutes
A great love story of a wife's belief in the greatness of her husband even when failure seemed to be the only thing he could do right. Even after achieving two full terms as President, General Grant couldn't escape his propensity for financial disaster. But his last act of courage and love, made Julia one of the richest of Presidential widows. Do you know why ?

Rutherford and Lucy Hayes......................................35 minutes
The result of the Presidential election of 1876 may have been the most disputed and controversial in history and brought about by the most corrupt means. Yet it brought to the Presidency a husband and wife of high moral and religious standards--and also the most educated First Lady to that time. Do you know her famous nickname and why she is called that?

James and Lucretia Garfield......................................35 minutes
General Garfield spent only six months in office and three of them on his deathbed, yet we find the Garfields one of the most interesting and intriguing of Presidential couples. The reason is the unusual and touching story of their personal relationship. Do you know why his assassin although admitting he shot the President claimed he should not be guilty of murder?

Grover and Frances Cleveland....................................25 minutes
When Grover Cleveland took office in 1885, he was the second bachelor elected as President--within 15 months not only was he a married man, but this 49 year old married a 21 year old--a young lady he had helped raise!!! He was the only man to lose reelection than regain the White House, and on each occasion of taking office he nullified one of his predecessor's chief accomplishments because he felt the actions unjust!!

Benjamin and Caroline Harrison----and Mary..................30 minutes
His grandfather had been President of the United States, his father was estranged from him for joining that "radical" Republican party, and theirs was a teenage romance that lasted through 39 years of marriage. Yet after leaving the White House and less than 3 years after his wife's death, he re-married at the age of 62 to his wife's 37 year old niece !!

William and Ida McKinley........................................40 minutes
A handsome Civil War hero with a bright future marrying the belle of the town seemed to be the formula to make for a happy life, when William and Ida married in 1871. But the deaths of two young children resulted in Ida being subject to seizures and in need of constant attention....which William lavished on her.William was a much beloved President and part of that admiration came from his affection for his wife.

Theodore and Edith Roosevelt....................................60 minutes
People know much about Teddy Roosevelt, and some about Alice Roosevelt his daughter. But few know much about the two woman who were married to Theodore-his first wife of only 3 1/2 years, Alice, and his second wife, Edith-the woman who admired "Thee" with all his strengths and faults since they were playmates together at the ages of three and six respectively. Edith succeeded in doing something numerous First Ladies prior to her had tried and failed to do. Do you know what ?

William and Helen Taft............................................40 minutes
The desire to be First Lady was something in Helen's heart since she was a young girl and the desire to be Chief Justice was always in Bill's heart. As rarely occurs in life, both got what they desired. Bill Taft's marvelous personality and his unique relationship with Theodore Roosevelt highlight the reading. Do you what Helen's lasting legacy to Washington is ?

Woodrow, Ellen and Edith Wilson...............................55 minutes
A staid college intellectual is how we might think of Woodrow, but he was also a man of great passion and emotion especially in his loving relationships-first with his wife of almost thirty years, Ellen, and his second wife, Edith. In the recent movie "The American President" a widowed Chief Executive's courtship causes quite a political stir, but that fantasy was nothing compared to the reality of the Woodrow/Edith courtship and marriage in 1915. Then four years later Edith, who had run of a jewelry store, now ran the Executive branch of the government while President Wislon recovered from a stroke !! Do you know what honor Congress paid Ellen just before she died ?

Warren and Florence Harding.....................................30 minutes
With nervous breakdowns, illicit love affairs, an illegitimate child, and a record in the Senate of missing 1/3 of the roll call votes, the past of Warren Harding doesn't seem to be the right mix to create one of the largest landslides in American history 61% to 35%. But Warren had a strong woman behind him in Flossie and was loved my the American public. He worked so very hard to be a good President and in his two years in office had several major successes. His stature didn't fall until after his death and many scandals were revealed. Do you know who the vice-presidential candidate was on the losing ticket?

Calvin and Grace Coolidge........................................30 minutes
"Silent Cal" might be Mr. Collidge's nickname, but, although he was reticent to speak, he was full of humor, witticism, and had a meteoric political life brought about by hard work. The fact that his wife, Grace, once in Washington, allowed her effervescent personality shine through to the American people also helped Cal--this despite having to experience one of the saddest tragedies to occur to any Presidential couple. Do you know what it was?

Herbert and Lou Hoover.......................... ................50 minutes
Herbert Hoover caused the depression and who even has heard the name Lou Hoover- this might be many people's first reaction to this couple. But their story is a great story of love, partnership, and national and international good works and fame. They might also be the Presidential couple who cared for and did the most for children. Do you know who in 1920 said "He is certainly a wonder and I wish I could make him President of the United States. There could not be a better one." ?

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt...................................60 minutes
We tend to remember President Franklin and First Lady Eleanor, and why not as they were in those positions longer than any other couple. But sometimes forgotten are the two young people who met and fell in love and the years of triumphs and tragedies that led up to 1932 and shaped their personalities and their relationship. We focus more on this private side and how that effected their public lives.

As Eleanor Roosevelt herself wrote:

Men and women who live together through long years come to know one another's failings, but they also come to know what is worthy of respect and admiration in those they live with and in themselves.

Harry and Bess Truman............................................55 minutes
Another great love story as from the age of six Harry loved only one person-Bess. Harry's string of early business failures certainly could not have foretold his rise to the Presidency. And in the background working as a loving partner all along the way was "The Boss", Bess. Humor, rocky times, human frailties, and enduring affection combine to make this an endearing tale. Bess only had one major project and without her endeavors Washington, D.C. might look quite different. Do you know what it was ?

Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower...................................55 minutes
Ike was first a soldier and Mamie was first a wife....the Presidency and the First Ladyship almost seemed secondary. Yet Ike was in office during eight years of peace and prosperity, while the "cold war" raged. Mamie epitomized the ideal "50's wife" who enjoyed her role of being simply "Ike's wife". She once commented that the success of their long marriage was "that we have absolutely nothing in common". Do you know why Ike always sent Mamie flowers on September 24th ?

Jack and Jackie Kennedy...........................................60 minutes
Jack Kennedy may have been the President who, with the exceptions of war time Presidents, had the most crises one after another--in his Presidency, his marriage, and his own health. That he was able to project such an image of hope with all these troubles is part of the Kennedy legacy. Jack and Jackie's relationship changed during the Presidency as did Jackie's approach to being First Lady. Like the Garfields, the Kennedys may have been reaching the apex of their personal relationship when an assassin ended it all in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson...........................................60 minutes

You've heard of the term "whirlwind courtship"? You will see exactly what that means in the story of Lyndon and Lady Bird. In their married years "Bird" grew into an  astute business woman and Lyndon became known as "The Master of the Senate". Thus it was not a surprise that when he became President his administration passed more important legislation in less time than any since FDR.  Lyndon became known for his bigger than life personalitiy and as Lady Bird herself said that liufe with Lundon was "one big adventure".

Richard and Pat Nixon..............................................60 minutes
Richard Nixon chased Pat Ryan for over two years before she was say yes to marriage...a marriage that would last over 50 years. She traveled with her husband during the Vice-Presidential years, facing death from unruly crowds in South and Central America and stood by his side urging up to fight to the end as he faced resignation. Behind the image of "Plastic Pat", as many in the press called her, was a wonderful, loving and tender mother and wife..

Return to Presidents and Their First Ladies page

Want to send in your guesses to any of the questions in the above summaries? Or do you have any other questions about these Presidential couples ? Just send me an e-mail and as soon as I can I'll get back to you.

We use many books in doing our research for our programs including some original research at the Presidential Libraries, but below are several books dealing with First Couples that we enjoy and think you will as well.

First Ladies..............................................Carl Anthony
The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents...............William A. DeGregorio
Our First Ladies.........................................Burt and Jane McConnell
Historic Homes of the American Presidents...........Irvin Haas
First First Ladies........................................Mary Whitten
Facts About the Presidents.............................Joseph Nathan Kane
The American President.................................David C. Whitney
Presidential Anecdotes..................................Paul F. Boeller, Jr.
Presidential Campaigns.................................Paul F. Boeller, Jr.
Presidential Wives......................................Paul F. Boeller, Jr.