First Lady of the United States

The customary title for the spouse or partner of a U.S. president. The role has no constitutional definition, and its duties and public influence vary by officeholder.

Eleanor Roosevelt: First lady from 1933 to 1945 who became a prominent advocate for civil rights and human rights. Her public activism established a model of a first lady with an independent political voice.
White House: The official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Its household, ceremonies, and staff provide much of the first lady’s institutional setting.
Martha Washington: The wife of George Washington and the inaugural hostess of the presidency. Her public and ceremonial example helped establish expectations for presidents’ wives.
White House Historical Association: A nonprofit organization founded in 1961 to preserve and interpret the history of the White House. Jacqueline Kennedy’s preservation work helped spur its creation and formalize historical stewardship.
Abigail Adams: The wife of John Adams, second president of the United States, and an influential letter writer on public affairs. Her letters reveal how a president’s spouse could engage with political questions before the modern role emerged.
White House Office: The executive office that supports the president and includes staff working on administration priorities. First ladies often rely on dedicated staff within the broader White House operation.
Dolley Madison: The wife of President James Madison, celebrated for her political sociability and White House entertaining. Her hostess role helped make the president’s spouse a visible figure in national political life.
White House China: The collection of presidential tableware used for official entertaining at the White House. First ladies have shaped national memory through decisions about White House furnishings and collections.
Jacqueline Kennedy: First lady from 1961 to 1963, known for restoring the White House and shaping its public image. Her cultural projects and televised tour made the first lady a prominent steward of national heritage.
Presidential spouse: The spouse of a person serving as president of a country or other political institution. The U.S. title is one national version of a broader informal role held by presidential spouses.

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