America’s First Lady Melania Trump probably attracted as much public attention as her husband, US President Donald Trump, during the inauguration ceremony on January 20.
This gallery is a historical retrospective dedicated to the First Ladies of the United States — women who, while possibly not exactly as famous as their husbands, have also left an impact on the foreign and domestic policies of one of the most powerful nations in the world.
Melania Trump.
Melania Trump is a Slovene-American former model and the current First Lady of the United States. She is married to American businessman and 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Ball in honor of his inauguration in Washington, US. January 20, 2017
Michelle Obama.
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is an American lawyer, writer, and former First Lady of the United States. She is married to the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and was the first African-American First Lady.
President Barack Obama dances with First Lady Michelle Obama at the Midwestern Ball at a Convention Center, Tuesday, January 20, 2009, in Washington.
Laura Bush.
Laura Bush, former First Lady of the United States, is an advocate for literacy, education, and women’s rights. After leaving the White House, President and Mrs. Bush founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. The Center is home to the Bush Presidential Museum and Library and the George W. Bush Institute, a public policy center established to advance human freedom, economic growth, education reform, and global health.
US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush attend the Freedom Inaugural Ball at Union Station in Washington, DC, January 20, 2005
Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton has served as secretary of state, U.S. senator from New York, first lady of the United States, first lady of Arkansas, a practicing lawyer and law professor, and an activist.
US President Bill Clinton (L) twirls First Lady Hillary Clinton during an onstage dance on January 20, 1993 as they stopped by the Arkansas inaugural ball in Washington, DC.
Barbara Bush.
Barbara Bush is the wife of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, and served as First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
George Herbert Walker Bush poses with his wife Barbara during his campaign for Congress in the 1960’s.
Nancy Reagan.
Nancy Davis Reagan was an American actress, and the wife of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. She was born in New York City.
Ronald Reagan, in his first months as California’s new governor, hugs his wife Nancy in his Sacramento office in April of 1967
Rosalynn Carter.
Eleanor Rosalynn Carter is the wife of the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, and in that capacity served as the First Lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981
President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Carter in the blue room of the White House in Washington, following his inauguration, Jan. 21, 1977
Betty Ford.
Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Ford was First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, as the wife of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford.
Late US President Gerald Ford hugging his wife Betty at the White House, in Washington, December 30, 1974
Pat Nixon.
Thelma Catherine “Pat” Nixon was the wife of Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, and First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon wave their farewells to China as they board Air Force One at Shanghai Airport, Feb. 28, 1972, before they headed home from their three-city China visit.
Lady Bird Johnson.
Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson was First Lady of the United States, as the wife of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. Notably well-educated for a woman of her era, she proved a capable manager and a shrewd investor.
President Lyndon B. Johnson holds a pen as he kisses his wife, Lady Bird Johnson during a bill signing at the White House, Oct. 16, 1968
Jacqueline Kennedy.
Jacqueline Lee “Jackie” Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and First Lady of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.
President and Mrs. John Kennedy leave the White House on January 20, 1961 for a tour of inaugural balls