A Surrogate First Lady for Donald Trump? There’s Precedent
Several women — not married to the president — have served as First Lady over the years.
When President-Elect Donald Trump moves into the White House today, his wife Melania and their 10-year-old son Barron won’t. At least not until the end of the school year, as Melania made clear in a US Weekly interview.
So, who will take on the role of White House Hostess in Melania’s brief absence? Until Ivanka Trump directly denied it in an interview with ABC News, rumors swirled around the possibility that she would serve as official First Lady. But even if Ivanka did take the role, there’s good precedent for a non-spouse First Lady.
Seven 19th century presidents had family members or even friends step in to do the job when they didn’t have a wife or their wife couldn’t serve. Meet the women who played the role of First Lady in such situations.
Martha Jefferson Randolph and Dolley Madison
Thomas Jefferson was a widower when he moved into the White House (he was president from 1804 to 1809). During his two terms, eldest daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph and Secretary of State James Madison’s wife, Dolley, served as First Ladies. Martha, known as “Patsy,” gave birth to her 8th child in the White House. The baby boy, named James Madison Randolph, was the first child born in the White House.
Emily Donelson
Andrew Jackson’s wife, Rachel, died shortly before his inauguration in 1829 (he served as president until 1837). Her niece Emily Donelson came with her husband to live in the White House. In fact, her four children were born there. Emily served as the surrogate First Lady while Donelson served as Jackson’s Presidential Secretary. In 1836, she died from tuberculosis. The wife of Jackson’s adopted son served as surrogate First Lady for the remainder of his term.
Angelica Van Buren
Martin Van Buren had been a widower for many years when he was elected president (he served from 1837-1841). His eldest son, Abraham, married Dolley Madison’s young relative, Angelica Singleton. The elder Van Buren wasted no time in presenting his new daughter-in-law as the new Hostess for the White House immediately following the wedding. Angelica took over the role of First Lady for Van Buren during his presidency.
Priscilla Cooper Tyler, Letty Semple
John Tyler had two surrogate First Ladies in his four years as president (1841-1845). His wife, Letitia Tyler, disabled from a stroke, did what she could until her death in 1842. His daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, then served as surrogate First Lady until she and her husband moved to Philadelphia. Tyler’s daughter Letty Semple stepped in for three months until Tyler remarried. His second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler served as First Lady for the last several months of his term.
Abigail Kent Means and Varina Davis
Jane Pierce, Franklin Pierce’s wife, hated his interest in politics. More than once she begged her husband to leave politics and in 1842 he resigned his Senate seat. The couple suffered the loss of two young sons and Jane’s health began to deteriorate. When the Democratic Party nominated her husband as a presidential candidate, she fainted. Then, as she was getting accustomed to the idea of being a president’s wife, they lost their third and last son in a tragic train accident just before Pierce’s inauguration in 1853 (he served until 1857).
According to Bio, Jane never fully recovered from the death of her sons. Depression overcame her and she rarely left the White House. Abigail Kent Means, a girlhood friend and aunt by marriage, and Jefferson Davis’ wife Varina Davis, helped Jane with her First Lady social obligations.
Harriet Lane
When Harriet was only nine years old, her mother died — then her father died the next year. She was placed in the care of her maternal uncle, Edward Buchanan. At her request, her favorite uncle, bachelor James Buchanan, became her legal guardian. Over time, Buchanan allowed Harriet to attend political meetings and she gained an interest in political affairs, eventually becoming his political partner.
In her mid-twenties, Harriet took on the role of First Lady in her uncle’s presidency (1857-1861). The White House Historical Society states that “Harriet Lane filled the White House with gaiety and flowers, and guided its social life with enthusiasm and discretion, winning national popularity.”
Mary Arthur McElroy
Widower Chester A. Arthur asked his sister, Mary, to be the surrogate First Lady during his term (1881-1885), perhaps in part because she cared for his daughter and the new president wanted his child to live with him permanently. Mary, known as Molly, began hosting receptions, dinners and other social events. Even though the press initially reported that Molly was just visiting Arthur, his decision to place her “in a visible spot with the protocol rank of a Chief Executive’s family member,” made it clear he had chosen her to be his First Lady.
Not So Unusual After All
When asked whether Melania and Barron would be joining him at the White House, President-Elect Trump told ABC News it wouldn’t be long. “Very soon … after he’s finished with school.” Until then, should Melania Trump not be available to perform her First Lady duties, Ivanka or another surrogate can step in. It’s been done before.