Famous American First Ladies
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Someone has rightly said that behind every great president is his warm, social, civic-minded spouse (think Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton!) Gone are the days when the first lady was solely a goodwill ambassador of her president husband. Over the years, the first ladies of America has managed to break the shackles of that stereotype, now emerging as an epitome of beauty with brains and the power to influence society and country at large. That is right! Modern day history is rife with many exemplary first ladies who instead of underplaying their lives and hiding behind the shadow of their powerful husbands have dazzled the world with their intellect, splendor, humor, and appeal. They are the first ladies who refused to shy away from the center stage. They are the first ladies who confidently took on the world stage to voice their opinions and oppose the wrongdoings. American presidents have been lucky enough to marry such forward-thinking, progressive, open-minded beauties whom America reveres as its first ladies. Acquaint yourselves to the timeline, trivia, and facts about some of America's most-famous first ladies in the biographies here.
Vote for Your Favourite American First Ladies
Birthdate: July 28, 1929
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Southampton, New York, United States
Died: May 19, 1994
Jackie Kennedy was a literature editor, photographer, and socialite who was once married to the former American President John F. Kennedy. She became the First Lady of the United States when her husband became the president. She was known for her iconic fashion style. She is considered one of the most popular and recognizable First Ladies in American history.
Birthdate: January 17, 1964
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Wife of the former U.S President, Barack Obama, and one of the most popular First Ladies of the United States, Michelle Obama is a celebrity in her own right. She is still very popular and is a sought-after speaker around the globe and often lends her voice to issues like poverty awareness, education, nutrition, women’s rights, immigration and racism.
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Melania Trump(Wife of Former US President, Donald Trump and First Lady of the United States (2017 - 2021) )
Birthdate: April 26, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Novo mesto, Slovenia
A former model as well as timepiece and jewellery designer, Melania Trump is the wife of 45th US President Donald Trump and the current First Lady of the United States of America. The Slovenian-American is only the second foreign born and the first naturalized citizen to hold the title.
Birthdate: October 11, 1884
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: November 7, 1962
Feminist and civil rights icon Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the longest-serving U.S First Lady. She was a prominent human rights activist, wrote columns, and hosted a radio show. She was named to Gallup's List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century in 1999.
Birthdate: June 3, 1951
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hammonton, New Jersey, United States
The former Second Lady of the United States, Jill Biden is the wife of Joe Biden, the 2020 presidential candidate. A passionate educator who is also fiercely independent, Jill continued to work as a full-time professor even when she was the Second Lady. A vocal supporter of community colleges, she has also been supportive of military families and cancer research.
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Maria Shriver(Former First Lady of California (2003 - 2011) and Ex-Wife of Actor 'Arnold Schwarzenegger')
Birthdate: November 6, 1955
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Famous American journalist, Maria Shriver, is recognised for her long association with NBC. Her documentary series The Alzheimer’s Project earned rave reviews and she later founded the nonprofit organization, 'The Women's Alzheimer's Movement'. As the former First Lady of California– she was married to Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was the governor of California– she involved herself in numerous charity works.
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Barbara Bush(Former First Lady of the United States as the Wife of President George H. W. Bush)
Birthdate: June 8, 1925
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: April 17, 2018
The first lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993, Barbara Bush was the wife of the 41st US President George H. W. Bush. She was also the mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd president of US. As the first lady, she focused on family literacy and was the founder of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
Birthdate: July 6, 1921
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States
Died: March 6, 2016
Nancy Reagan was an American actress who also served as the first lady of the US between 1981 and 1989. One of her major initiatives as the first lady was her role in founding a drug awareness campaign called Just Say No. She had a strong influence on President Ronald Reagan, having an impact on many of his diplomatic decisions.
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Laura Bush(Wife of Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady of the United States (2001 - 2009))
Birthdate: November 4, 1946
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Midland, Texas, United States
Laura Bush is an American educator. She served as the First Lady of the US from 2001 to 2009, during which she encouraged education and helped advance women's causes through non-profit organizations. Regarded as one of the most famous American First Ladies, Laura Bush focused on raising awareness about malaria and HIV/AIDS.
Birthdate: August 18, 1927
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Plains, Georgia
Rosalynn Carter, served as the U.S. First Lady from 1977 to 1981, as the wife of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. She promoted human rights, peace, and mental health awareness. She was also an envoy to Latin America and launched Every Child By Two, a childhood immunization awareness program.
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Mary Todd Lincoln(Wife of Former US President Abraham Lincoln and the First Lady of the United States (1861 - 1865))
Birthdate: December 13, 1818
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Died: July 16, 1882
Mary Todd Lincoln was the wife of Abraham Lincoln. She played an important role during the American Civil War as she worked hard to keep the morale of the country high throughout the war. Mary invariably finds a place in stories and biographies written about Abraham Lincoln as she was seated next to him when he was killed.
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Abigail Adams(Wife of Former US President John Adams and First Lady of the United States (1797 - 1801))
Birthdate: November 11, 1744
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Weymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Died: October 28, 1818
Abigail Adams was the closest advisor and wife of the second president of the United States, John Adams. She is credited with influencing John Adams in many ways as the latter often sought the advice of his wife. Adams feature prominently in musicals, films, and TV series that discuss her husband. She has been portrayed by actresses like Laura Linney.
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Lady Bird Johnson(Former First Lady of the United States as the Wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson)
Birthdate: December 22, 1912
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Karnack, Texas, United States
Died: July 11, 2007
Lady Bird Johnson was an American socialite who served as the First Lady of the US from 1963 to 1969. As First Lady, Johnson was responsible for the passage of the Highway Beautification Act, which was nicknamed Lady Bird's Bill. She was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1977 and 1988, respectively.
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Betty Ford(Former First Lady of the United States)
Birthdate: April 8, 1918
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: July 8, 2011
Betty Ford served as the First Lady of the US from 1974 to 1977. One of the most popular First Ladies in history, Ford was a passionate supporter of abortion rights and worked towards raising breast cancer awareness. She commented on topics like sex, drugs, abortion, and equal pay. In 1991, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Martha Washington(Former First Lady of the United States as the Wife of President George Washington)
Birthdate: June 2, 1731
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chestnut Grove, Virginia, United States
Died: May 22, 1802
Martha Washington became the inaugural First Lady of the United States when her husband George Washington took office as the first President of the United States in 1789. She was the daughter of a wealthy man and was first married to Daniel Parke Custis, with whom she had four children. Following Custis’ death, she married George Washington.
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Pat Nixon(First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 as the Wife of President Richard Nixon)
Birthdate: March 16, 1912
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ely, Nevada, United States
Died: June 22, 1993
Pat Nixon was an American educator who served as the First Lady of the US from 1969 to 1974 during which she promoted several charitable causes. She is also one of the most traveled First Lady in the history of the United States, accompanying her husband Richard Nixon on his trips to the Soviet Union and China among other countries.
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Mamie Eisenhower(First Lady of the United States as the Wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower)
Birthdate: November 14, 1896
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Boone, Iowa, United States
Died: November 1, 1979
Mamie Eisenhower was the First Lady of the U.S. through her marriage to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Her love for elegant attires got her featured on the New York Dress Institute’s list of the best-dressed women. She gave rise to the Mamie Look and the Mami Pink shade.
Birthdate: October 15, 1872
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Wytheville, Virginia, United States
Died: December 28, 1961
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Dolley Madison(Wife of James Madison, the Fourth President of the United States)
Birthdate: May 20, 1768
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Guilford County
Died: July 12, 1849
Birthdate: July 21, 1864
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States
Died: October 29, 1947
Frances Cleveland became the youngest First Lady of the U.S., as the wife of President Grover Cleveland, at 21. Following the president’s death, she married Thomas J. Preston, Jr., becoming the first widow of a president to remarry. She opposed women’s suffrage and was part of the National Security League.
Birthdate: August 6, 1861
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Norwich, Connecticut, United States
Died: September 30, 1948
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Bess Truman
(Former First Lady of the United States)
Birthdate: February 13, 1885
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Independence, Missouri, United States
Died: October 18, 1982
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Karen Pence
(Wife of Former US Vice-President Mike Pence)
Birthdate: January 1, 1957
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kansas, United States
Former second lady of the United States, Karen Pence is the wife of Mike Pence who served as American President from 2017 to 2021. Karen also served as the first lady of Indiana from 2013 to 2017 during her husband's term as governor of the state. In 2019, she returned as a part-time art teacher for Immanuel Christian School.
Birthdate: September 16, 1931
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
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Lou Henry Hoover
(First Lady of the United States 1929 – 1933)
Birthdate: March 29, 1874
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Died: January 7, 1944
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Julia Grant
(U.S. First Lady)
Birthdate: January 26, 1826
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: St. Louis
Died: December 14, 1902
Birthdate: June 2, 1861
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Died: May 22, 1943
Birthdate: May 9, 1830
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: July 3, 1903
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Ann Romney
(American Equestrian and First Lady of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007)
Birthdate: April 16, 1949
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
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Sarah Childress Polk
(U.S. First Lady)
Birthdate: September 4, 1803
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
Died: August 14, 1891
Birthdate: March 12, 1806
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hampton, New Hampshire, United States
Died: December 2, 1863
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Caroline Harrison
(First Lady)
Birthdate: October 1, 1832
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Oxford, Ohio
Died: October 25, 1892
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Julia Tyler
(Former First Lady of United States)
Birthdate: May 4, 1820
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Gardiner's Island, New York, US
Died: July 10, 1889
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Elizabeth Monroe
(First Lady)
Birthdate: June 30, 1768
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Died: September 23, 1830
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Eliza McCardle Johnson
(U.S. First Lady)
Birthdate: October 4, 1810
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Telford, Tennessee, United States
Died: January 15, 1876
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Letitia Christian Tyler
(First lady)
Birthdate: November 12, 1790
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cedar Grove, Virginia, US
Died: September 10, 1842
Birthdate: October 26, 1947
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Married to former US president, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton served as the First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Thereafter, she became the first First Lady to hold US senator office. The former Secretary of State in the administration of Barrack Obama also fought and lost, as a Democratic nominee, the 2016 presidential election against Donald Trump.
Birthdate: March 13, 1798
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Saratoga County
Died: March 30, 1853
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Clar Weah
(First Lady, Women's rights activist)
Birthdate: March 11, 1965
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Birthdate: July 25, 1775
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Morristown, Province of New Jersey
Died: February 25, 1864
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Nell Arthur
(Chester A. Arthur's wife)
Birthdate: August 30, 1837
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Culpeper, Virginia, United States
Died: January 12, 1880
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Hope Portocarrero
(Anastasio Somoza Debayle's wife)
Birthdate: June 28, 1929
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida Tampa, Florida, United States
Died: October 5, 1991
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Eliane Karp
(Anthropologist)
Birthdate: September 24, 1953
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
Born to a Polish father and a Belgian mother in Paris, anthropologist and academic Eliane Karp later studied in Jerusalem, before moving to Stanford. The wife of former president of Peru Alejandro Toledo, she was dragged out of court, while cursing, after Toledo was denied bail in a bribery case.
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Alma Adamkienė
(First Lady)
Birthdate: February 10, 1928
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Šiauliai, Lithuania
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Mary Flake de Flores
(First Lady)
Birthdate: September 25, 1950
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States