Who was Alice Roosevelt Longworth? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 96

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Nicholas Longworth

father: Theodore Roosevelt

mother: Alice Hathaway Lee

siblings: Archibald Roosevelt, Ethel Roosevelt Derby, Kermit Roosevelt, Quentin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

children: Paulina Longworth

Humanitarian American Women

Died on: February 20, 1980

place of death: United States of America

City: New York City

U.S. State: New Yorkers

Diseases & Disabilities: Polio

Ideology: Republicans

More Facts

education: conservative school for girls

Recommended For You

1

What was Alice Roosevelt Longworth known for?

Alice Roosevelt Longworth was known for her sharp wit, strong personality, and influential role in Washington society.
2

Did Alice Roosevelt Longworth hold any political office?

Alice Roosevelt Longworth did not hold any political office herself, but she was actively involved in politics and known for her political commentary and influence.
3

What was Alice Roosevelt Longworth's relationship with her father?

Alice Roosevelt Longworth had a complex relationship with her father, President Theodore Roosevelt. While they had a close bond, they also had disagreements and conflicts, especially regarding her own political views.
4

What impact did Alice Roosevelt Longworth have on American society?

Alice Roosevelt Longworth had a significant impact on American society through her outspokenness, advocacy for social causes, and her role as a prominent figure in Washington political circles.
5

How did Alice Roosevelt Longworth challenge societal norms of her time?

Alice Roosevelt Longworth challenged societal norms of her time through her unconventional behavior, outspoken opinions, and refusal to conform to traditional gender roles.

Recommended Lists:

American Female Writers

Childhood & Early Life

Alice Lee Roosevelt was born to Alice and Theodore Roosevelt in New York City, New York. Her mother was a Boston banking heiress, while his father was a New York State Assemblyman.

Tragedy struck the Roosevelt household several hours after the birth of young Alice. First her paternal grandmother Martha Stewart ‘Mittie’ Bulloch died of typhoid fever and eleven hours later, her mother and Theodore wife Alice died due to an undiagnosed kidney failure.

Hysterical and extremely flustered by the tragic incidents, Theodore distanced himself from everything that reminded him of Alice Sr. Even he called young Alice by the name Baby Lee. It was due to this that later in life, she preferred to be addressed as Mrs. L.

To uplift himself emotionally, Theodore Roosevelt left New York, heading westwards. He spent the next two years travelling. He resided in North Dakota. As for Baby Lee, she was put under the guidance of Theodore’s sister, Anna.

Young Lee was extremely influenced by her aunt Anna throughout her stay. After the remarriage of her father to Edith Kermit Carow, she returned under the parental care of the two. She had five half-siblings, one sister and four brothers.

Continue Reading Below

Later Life

She did not share a very cordial relationship with either her father or step mother and thus would frequently visit Anna and her maternal grandparents George Cabot Lee and Caroline Watts Haskell in Boston. Anna, on the other hand, cast a strong influence on her and provided her with the required structure and stability.

She grew up to become a specimen of beauty like her own mother. She was spoiled with gifts and went on to become a fiercely independent and outgoing lay. She was also self-confident and calculating.

Upon her father’s appointment as the President of United States in 1901, she gained an overnight celebrity status. She became a fashion icon and a powerful, independent lady. She challenged the conformism and traditionalism at every step and broke all rules of the society.

She became the favourite subject for journalists and was all over the news but all for wrong reasons. She smoked cigarettes publically, rode in cars with men, partied till the wee hours of the morning, kept a pet snake named Emily Spinach and placed bets with a bookie.

In 1904, she embarked on a the Imperial Cruise to Japan, Hawaii, China, Phillipines and Korea along with 23 Congressmen, seven senators and other diplomats and officials. All throughout the trip, she kept the press busy around her, photographing with the Emperor of Japan, the Empress of China and attending sumo wrestling matches.

Throughout the presidency term of Roosevelt, she enjoyed being the center of attention.

After the death of her husband in 1931, she refused to stand in for the latter’s seat. During the Great Depression, she turned an author and penned an autobiography, ‘Crowded Hours’ which was well received by the public.

Throughout her life, she remained a member of the Republican Party and maintained herself both socially and politically. She served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention on a couple of occasions

Continue Reading Below

Personal Life & Legacy

Returning in 1905 from the diplomatic travels, she got engaged to Nicholas Longworth, a Republican U.S. House of Representatives member from Cincinnati, Ohio. Though she knew him since early on, their relationship strengthened during the tour.

The 1912 Bull Moose presidential election caused a rift between her and her husband due to the conflicting support. Her infidelity towards him was also a matter of concern in the relationship.

Her health declined in the 1950s. In 1955, she broke her hip by falling down. The following year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent double mastectomy but later on suffered from health complications which led to weight loss, shortness of breath and cough.

She breathed her last on February 20, 1980 at age 96 due to emphysema and pneumonia and other chronic illnesses. She was interred in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Facts About Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, was known for her sharp wit and colorful personality, often described as the "other Washington monument."

Alice was a trendsetter in her time, known for her bold fashion choices and avant-garde sense of style that set her apart from other socialites of the era.

Despite her privileged upbringing, Alice was a champion of social causes and was actively involved in various charitable organizations throughout her life.

Alice was an avid animal lover and had a menagerie of pets, including a pet snake named Emily Spinach and a pet garter snake named Rosie.

Alice was also a talented writer and columnist, known for her witty and satirical commentary on politics and society, which earned her a loyal following of fans and admirers.

Alice Roosevelt Longworth Biography

You wanted to know

What was Alice Roosevelt Longworth known for?

Did Alice Roosevelt Longworth hold any political office?

What was Alice Roosevelt Longworth's relationship with her father?

What impact did Alice Roosevelt Longworth have on American society?

How did Alice Roosevelt Longworth challenge societal norms of her time?