Share Tweet Pin Email By Iris Goldsztajn 7:02pm PST, Feb 24, 2026 - First ladies - official or unofficial - are hugely important to a presidency. Even long before women had the right to vote, they had a ton of political influence by virtue of who they were married to. They're also often looked up to as role models and champions of worthy causes. Keep reading to see 32 women who served as first ladies...

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news Melania Trump The third wife of President Donald J. Trump (R), Melania Trump (née Knavs, later spelled as Knauss) became first lady in 2017, then again in 2025. Born in what is now Slovenia, Melania is the second first lady to be born outside of the United States - and the first to be a naturalized citizen, per White House History. Dr. Jill Biden Jill Biden, Ed.D. was the first first lady to hold a doctorate (hers is in education) during her husband Joe Biden's (D) tenure between 2021 and 2025. Her advocacy work has largely focused on education, women's health and cancer prevention, among other issues. Michelle Obama Michelle Obama has been a role model to people around the world both during her husband Barack Obama's (D) tenure and afterwards. In her post-White House era, Michelle has notably achieved great success with her memoir Becoming and nonfiction advice book The Light We Carry. Laura Bush Laura Bush was first lady for two terms, between 2001 and 2009, while her husband George W. Bush (R) was in office. She is known for championing issues such as early childhood development and women's health. Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton holds two unique distinctions: she is the only former first lady elected to public office, serving as a U.S. senator, and the only first lady to run for president. Had she won in 2016, her husband, the former President Bill Clinton (D), would have been the country's first-ever first gentleman. Barbara Bush Before George W. and Laura Bush, there was George H.W. Bush (R) and Barbara Bush - making the Bush family something of an American political dynasty. Barbara died in April 2018, with her husband going just months later in November 2018. Many people suggested that the former president might have died from a broken heart. Nancy Reagan Nancy Reagan served both as first lady of California and first lady of the United States while her husband, Ronald Reagan (R), was in office. The issues closest to her heart included the well-being of veterans, the elderly and children experiencing various difficulties, as well as fighting drug and alcohol abuse. Rosalynn Carter Rosalynn Carter, wife to President Jimmy Carter (D), was first lady from 1977 to 1981. She was a tireless advocate for mental health until she died in 2023. Betty Ford Betty Ford, the wife of President Gerald Ford (R), served as first lady of the United States between 1974 and 1977. President Ford took over the presidency after his predecessor, Richard Nixon, resigned following Watergate. Betty was a strong political force, described as an activist for women's rights, including safe access to abortion - a view which opposed that of her husband. Pat Nixon Pat Nixon was the first lady during her husband Richard Nixon's (R) presidency between 1969 and 1974. She was passionate about encouraging volunteering with organizations such as the Girl Scouts, the American Cancer Society, and the American Red Cross, and she was instrumental in making the White House more accessible to those with disabilities. Lady Bird Johnson Lady Bird Johnson (whose government first name was Claudia) became first lady under difficult circumstances, following John F. Kennedy's assassination. Her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson (D), was president between 1963 and 1969. During his term, Lady Bird dedicated herself to the environment and to the furthering of the arts. Jackie Kennedy Jackie Kennedy is perhaps one of the most recognizable first ladies in history - revered to this day for her elegance and her steadfastness in the face of her husband John F. Kennedy's 1963 assassination. As first lady from 1961 until JFK's untimely death, Jackie was a champion for the arts, as well as a dedicated mother to Caroline (b. 1957) and John Jr. (b. 1960). The pair's son Patrick tragically died as an infant in 1963. Mamie Eisenhower The wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R), Mamie Eisenhower, was first lady between 1953 and 1961. Mamie loved the color pink and was dedicated to her family. "I was Ike's wife, John's mother, the children's grandmother...[and] that was all I ever wanted to be," she once said of her time in the White House. Bess Truman Elizabeth "Bess" Truman was the first lady to Harry Truman's (D) President of the United States, between 1945 and 1953. Bess divided her time between managing the presidential household, prioritizing family life and supporting organizations such as the Girl Scouts and the Red Cross. Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt is another deeply admired First Lady, thanks to som