Shocking Facts About 7 First Ladies

You likely could recite at least a few names of former U.S. first ladies — but how much do you know about them, really? Make no mistake, these remarkable women have a few secrets under their corsets. Buckle up for a few tidbits about seven former first ladies that you probably didn't learn in history class!

1. Dolley Madison

Served as First Lady: 1809-1817

Wife of: President James Madison

Did You Know This? During the War of 1812, Dolley Madison instructed servants to smash the frame of the iconic George Washington portrait and remove the canvas for safekeeping. For this reason, historians credit Dolley with saving this famous piece of art from destruction.

2. Mary Todd Lincoln

Served as First Lady: 1861-1865

Wife of: Abraham Lincoln

Did You Know This? After her husband's assassination, Mary Todd Lincoln immersed herself in spiritualism. According to this popular 19th century belief, Mary believed she could communicate with the dead — including her husband – via mediums. Her son decided to commit her to an insane asylum. Later, she was released after a trial declared her sane. Historians agree that she indeed led a tragic life.

3. Frances Folsom Cleveland

Served as First Lady: 1886-1889 and 1893-1897

Wife of: Grover Cleveland

Did You Know This? Frances Folsom actually married President Cleveland inside the White House – the only first lady to do so. They married in the Blue Room, and Frances became first lady of the United States at only age 21 (27 years younger than her husband!). Frances holds the title for the youngest U.S. presidential spouse of all time.

4. Helen "Nellie" Taft

Served as First Lady: 1909-1913

Wife of: William Howard Taft

Did You Know This? If you love to watch the cherry blossoms blooming in our nation's capital every spring, you can thank Nellie Taft. She started this annual tradition during her time as first lady, by planting the first Japanese cherry blossom in Washington.

5. Lou Hoover

Served as First Lady: 1929-1933

Wife of: Herbert Hoover

Did You Know This? Thin mint, anyone? If you look forward to Girl Scout Cookie™ season as much as we do, you might be surprised to learn that it all started in the White House. Lou Hoover worked with the Girl Scouts to create and approve their first nationwide bake-and-sell cookie campaign.

6. Betty Ford

Served as First Lady: 1974-1977

Wife of: Gerald Ford

Did You Know This? Betty Ford used her position as first lady to speak openly about her own personal struggles with breast cancer and alcoholism. This awareness campaign resulted in the opening of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a substance abuse treatment facility in Rancho Mirage, California. On the day her husband left office, Betty felt so happy that she danced on the table in the Cabinet Room, out of pure joy.

7. Michelle Obama

Served as First Lady: 2009-2017

Wife of: Barack Obama

Did You Know This? Michelle Obama forged many new pathways during her time as first lady – even in the fashion world. For example, she started her own trend of wearing sleeveless dresses to official events, something no other first lady had ever done. The Secret Service refers to Michelle by the codename "Renaissance," which means rebirth.

While history may focus on the official impact each of these extraordinary women made on the United States, their true influence extends far beyond that, into each individual's personal stories and life experiences.

References: Facts You May Know Not About 10 First Ladies | Unique First Ladies Through History | Little-known facts about every American first lady | 45 Facts You Never Knew About America's First Ladies | Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation