First Ladies and President

Leading from the Oval Office is a tremendous task that requires round-the-clock work from the President, their staff, and even their spouse. 

However, not every President has entered the White House with a spouse ready to take on the demanding job of First Lady. Four Presidents — Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and Chester A. Arthur — entered the executive office as widowers, and one (James Buchanan) never married. 

For these men, the supporting role was instead filled by someone other than the President’s wife, such as a female family member, friend, or even a Cabinet member’s relative.

Even married Presidents have been aided by “White House hostesses” who weren’t their wives. 

Take, for example, Margaret Taylor and Abigail Fillmore, who both took so little interest in being First Lady that they appointed their daughters to the job. 

At least nine presidential daughters (or daughters-in-law), along with two nieces and two sisters, have stepped into the role, performing all the required duties: arranging formal dinners, hosting social events, managing White House renovations, and championing philanthropic and social causes (plus more). 

Along the way, they added their own spin to the position; Martha Johnson Patterson (daughter of Andrew Johnson) enjoyed milking the White House cows, while Harriet Lane (niece to James Buchanan) decorated the White House Blue Room and was so popular with the public that she inspired both fashion and baby name trends.