List of First Lady of the United States firsts

This list lists achievements and distinctions of various first ladies of the United States. It includes distinctions achieved in their earlier life and post-first lady service.

There have been forty-two official first ladies and forty-five first ladyships. This discrepancy exists because some presidents remarried while in office and some were not married so had no official first lady.

Also note that first ladies not recognized by the National First Ladies' Library listing include Martha Jefferson Randolph, Emily Donelson, Sarah Yorke Jackson, Angelica Van Buren, Priscilla Tyler, Mary McElroy, Rose Cleveland, Mary McKee, and Margaret Woodrow Wilson.

Martha Washington

File:Martha Washington22 1903 Issue-8c.jpg

First first lady.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=1 |title=Martha Washington Biography :: National First Ladies' Library |publisher=Firstladies.org |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to be born in Virginia.Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. (2020). [https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/martha-washington/ten-facts-about-martha-washington/ "Ten Facts about Martha Washington"] Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First first lady to have been born in the 18th century.
First first lady to have had children when she became first lady.
First first lady to outlive her children.
First first lady to outlive her husband.
First first lady to be older than her husband.
First first lady (and first American woman) to appear on a U.S. postage stamp.Historian. May 2020. "[https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/women-stamp-subjects.pdf Women Subjects on United States Postage Stamps]" United States Postal Service. Retrieved January 24, 2021.

Abigail Adams

First first lady to be born in Massachusetts.History.com editors. (October 27, 2019)."[https://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/abigail-adams Abigail Adams]" Retrieved November 14, 2020.
First first lady to serve as Second Lady and First Lady on the same day.The White House. "[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/abigail-smith-adams/ Abigail Smith Adams]" Retrieved January 10, 2021.
First first lady to be younger than her husband.{{cite web |title=Abigail, John Adams: America's Original 'Power Couple' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-04-23-voa53-68814782/413114.html |website=Voice of America |language=en |date=2 November 2009}}
First first lady to live in the White House.{{cite web|url=http://m.deseretnews.com/top/3188/48/The-44-first-ladies-of-the-United-States-of-America.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708145340/http://m.deseretnews.com/top/3188/48/The-44-first-ladies-of-the-United-States-of-America.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |title=The 44 first ladies of the United States of America |publisher=Deseret News |date=May 14, 2015 |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to have biological children with a husband who was a president.name="Political Lists p. 60">Book of Political Lists, p. 60
First first lady to be the mother of another president (John Quincy Adams).{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=David |date=2018-04-17 |title=Barbara Bush, matriarch of Bush dynasty, dies at 92 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/17/barbara-bush-george-obituary-first-lady-221779 |access-date=2024-09-05 |work=Politico}}

Martha Jefferson Randolph

First first lady to not be the wife of the president.{{cite web|url=https://www.history.com/news/not-every-first-lady-has-been-married-to-the-president |first=Evan |last=Andrews |title=Not Every First Lady Has Been Married to the President |publisher=History.com |access-date=October 17, 2024}}

Dolley Madison

File:Dolley Madison three-quarter length portrait.jpg

First first lady to be born in North Carolina.{{cite web|url= https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/dolley-madison-north-carolina%E2%80%99s-legendary-first-lady|title=Dolley Madison, North Carolina's Legendary First Lady|access-date=July 30, 2020}}
First first lady to have a parrot as a pet at the White House.Presidential Pet Museum. "[https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/james-madison-dolleys-parrot/ James Madison – Dolley’s Parrot]" Retrieved January 30, 2021.
First first lady given an honorary seat on the floor of Congress.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstladies.org/facinatingfacts.aspx |title=Little-known facts about our First Ladies |publisher=Firstladies.org |access-date=2015-07-07 |archive-date=2015-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714000059/http://www.firstladies.org/facinatingfacts.aspx |url-status=live }}
First first lady to respond to a telegraph message.
First first lady to be taller than the president.{{cite web|url=http://archive.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=4|title=First Lady Biography: Dolley Madison|access-date=September 19, 2024}}
First first lady to be photographed.

Louisa Adams

First first lady born outside of the United States; she was born in England.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=6 |title=Louisa Adams Biography :: National First Ladies' Library |publisher=Firstladies.org |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to have both houses of the United States Congress adjourn in mourning on the day of her funeral.{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/louisa-adams |title=Louisa Adams - First Ladies |publisher=HISTORY.com |access-date=April 16, 2016}}

Sarah Yorke Jackson

First first lady born in Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/sarah-yorke-jackson|title=Sarah Yorke Jackson|website=whitehousehistory.org|access-date=January 31, 2025|publisher=The White House Historical Society}}

Anna Harrison

First first lady to be born in New Jersey.Caroli, B. (2020). "[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anna-Harrison Anna Harrison]" Britannica. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First first lady to be widowed while holding the title.{{cite web|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/anna-tuthill-symmes-harrison/ |title=Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison |publisher=White House |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to be granted by law a pension as a president's widow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/us-presidents/william-henry-harrison|title=William Henry Harrison |website=www.history.com|date=21 August 2018 }}
First first lady to be the grandmother of a president.

Letitia Tyler

First first lady to die in the White House.{{Cite web|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/letitia-christian-tyler/|title=Letitia Christian Tyler|website=The White House}}

Julia Tyler

First first lady to marry a president who was already in office at the time of the wedding.{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=11|title=Julia Tyler Biography :: National First Ladies' Library|website=www.firstladies.org}}

Sarah Polk

Abigail Fillmore

First first lady to hold a job while married (she was a teacher).{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=14|title=Abigail Fillmore Biography :: National First Ladies' Library|website=www.firstladies.org}}
First first lady to establish a permanent White House library.John Y. Cole "[https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/10078/library.html Fillmore’s Foundation]" Library of Congress. Retrieved 2 Feb. 2021.

Harriet Lane

Mary Todd Lincoln

First first lady to hold séances in the White House.{{Cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/melania-trump-isnt-only-incoming-first-lady-break-norm-here-are-8-more-who-defied-white-house-704929 |title=Melania Trump isn't the only incoming First Lady to break the norm; here are 8 more who defied White House traditions |last=Sarkar |first=Asmita |date=November 21, 2016 |work=International Business Times |language=en |access-date=December 16, 2016}}

Julia Grant

First first lady to be born in Missouri.Caroli, B. (2020). "[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Julia-Grant Julia Grant]" Britannica. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First first lady recorded on film.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=19 |title=Julia Grant Biography :: National First Ladies' Library |publisher=Firstladies.org |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to write her memoirs (The Personal Memoirs of Julia Dent Grant).

Lucy Hayes

First first lady to be born in Ohio.The White House. (n.d.)."[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/lucy-ware-webb-hayes/ Lucy Ware Webb Hayes]" Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First first lady to earn a college degree.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=20 |title=Lucy Hayes Biography :: National First Ladies' Library |publisher=Firstladies.org |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to ban all alcoholic beverages from the White House.
First first lady to host an Easter Egg roll on the White House lawn.

Frances Cleveland

First first lady to marry in the White House.{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/videos/first-ladies#first-ladies|title=First Ladies — History.com Video|publisher=History.com|access-date=July 8, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709124256/http://www.history.com/videos/first-ladies#first-ladies|archive-date=July 9, 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/frances-cleveland|title=Frances Folsom Cleveland|website=whitehousehistory.org|access-date=January 27, 2025}}
First first lady to hold the position of first lady for two non-consecutive terms.
First first lady to be pregnant at the White House.
First first lady to give birth in the White House.

Caroline Harrison

First first lady to use electricity.
First first lady to raise a Christmas tree in the White House.{{Cite web|title=First Lady - Caroline Harrison {{!}} C-SPAN First Ladies: Influence & Image|url=http://firstladies.c-span.org/FirstLady/25/Caroline-Harrison.aspx|access-date=June 10, 2020|website=firstladies.c-span.org}}
First first lady to have written a speech she delivered herself.

Edith Roosevelt

First first lady to be born in Connecticut.Britannica. (September 26, 2020). "[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edith-Roosevelt Edith Roosevelt]" Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First sitting first lady to travel abroad.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8e20o_p6cwgC&pg=PA199|title=Life in the White House: A Social History of the First Family and the President's House|last=Watson|first=Robert P.|date=February 1, 2012|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=9780791485071|language=en}}

Helen Taft

First first lady to own and drive a car.
First first lady to ride in her husband's inaugural parade.
First first lady to support women's suffrage.
First first lady to publish her memoirs.
First first lady to smoke cigarettes.
First first lady to successfully lobby for safety standards in federal workplaces.
First first lady to plant the first cherry tree saplings that are along Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin."[https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/Women Prominent Women]" Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
First first lady to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
First sitting first lady to turn 50.[https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/03/politics/jill-biden-70th-birthday-rehoboth-beach/index.html Bidens celebrate first lady’s birthday at her favorite place]

Edith Wilson

First first lady to unofficially assume presidential functions.

Florence Harding

First first lady to vote.
First first lady to fly in an airplane.
First first lady to operate a movie camera.
First first lady to own a radio.
First first lady to invite movie stars to the White House.

Grace Coolidge

First first lady to born in Vermont.Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, Inc. "[https://www.coolidgefoundation.org/presidency/grace-coolidge-overview/ Grace Coolidge Overview]" Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First first lady to earn a four-year undergraduate degree.{{cite web|title = Grace Coolidge Biography :: National First Ladies' Library|url = http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=31|website = www.firstladies.org|access-date = May 18, 2015}}
First first lady to speak in sound newsreels.

Lou Hoover

First first lady to be born in Iowa.The White House. (n.d.)."[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/lou-henry-hoover/ Lou Henry Hoover]" Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First first lady to make regular nationwide radio broadcasts.{{cite web|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/lou-henry-hoover/ |title=Lou Henry Hoover |publisher=White House |access-date=July 7, 2015}}

Eleanor Roosevelt

First first lady to hold regular press conferences.
First first lady to write a daily newspaper column and to write a monthly magazine column.
First first lady to host a weekly radio show.
First first lady to fly in an airplane while first lady; she flew with Amelia Earhart in April 1933.Nelson, Brooke (December 18, 2020). "[https://www.rd.com/list/first-ladies-trivia/ 45 Facts You Never Knew About America's First Ladies]"Reader's Digest. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
First first lady to speak at a national party convention (1940).Goodwin, Doris Kearns (1994). No Ordinary Time. p. 10, 133. Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|978-0-684-80448-4}}.
First first lady to be depicted as part of a presidential memorial (the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial).{{cite web|url=http://clinton2.nara.gov/WH/New/html/fdr.html|title=The White House / The National Archives|publisher=Clinton2.nara.gov|access-date=October 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927165924/http://clinton2.nara.gov/WH/New/html/fdr.html|archive-date=September 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}
First first lady (and only) to serve in the role for 12 years (1933–1945); to date.The White House. "[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/anna-eleanor-roosevelt/ Anna Eleanor Roosevelt]" Retrieved 2 January 2021.

Bess Truman

First first lady to live to the age of 97.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=34|title=First Lady Biography: Bess Truman: National First Ladies' Library|website=Firstladies.org|access-date=September 19, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/key-west/bess-truman-biography|title=

Elizabeth (Bess) Truman Biography|website=trumanlittlewhitehouse.org|access-date=November 9, 2024}}

Mamie Eisenhower

First first lady to initiate Halloween decorations to be put up in the White House.{{Cite web |url=http://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g460/vintage-halloween/?slide=75&src=arb_fb_d&mag=clv&dom=fb|title=What Halloween Was Like the Year You Were Born |access-date=October 12, 2016|author=|date=September 29, 2016|work=Country Living}}

Jacqueline Kennedy

First first lady to hire a press secretary.
First first lady to hire a White House curator.
First first lady to win an Emmy Award.
First first lady to be born in a hospital.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=36|title=First Lady Biography: Jackie Kennedy :: National First Ladies' Library|website=Firstladies.org|access-date=September 19, 2024}}
First first lady to select a theme for the White House Christmas Tree."[https://www.whitehousehistory.org/jacqueline-kennedy-refines-the-season Jacqueline Kennedy Refines the Season]", White House Historical Association, accessed February 25, 2023.

Lady Bird Johnson

First first lady to be born in Texas.The White House. (n.d.)."[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/claudia-alta-taylor-lady-bird-johnson/ Claudia Alta Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson]" Retrieved November 15, 2020.

Pat Nixon

File:Pat Nixon speaking at Republican National Convention.jpg

First first lady to be born in Nevada.The White House. (n.d.)."[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/patricia-ryan-nixon/ Patricia Ryan Nixon]" Retrieved November 15, 2020.
First first lady to enter a combat zone.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=38|title=First Lady Biography: Pat Nixon|access-date= August 15, 2007|year= 2005|publisher= The National First Ladies Library}}
First first lady to travel to Africa,Anthony, Carl Sferrazza (1991). First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents' Wives and Their Power; 1961–1990 (Volume II). New York: William Morrow and Co., p. 196 the People's Republic of China, and the Soviet Union.{{cite web|url=http://nixonfoundation.net/news-details.php?id=780 |title=News Detail |publisher=Nixonfoundation.net |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first Lady to model trousers in a national magazine.{{cite web|url=https://carlanthonyonline.com/2012/03/16/the-first-lady-a-nation-never-knew-pat-nixon-in-private-taped-phone-calls-100-pictures-on-her-centennial/ |title=The First Lady a Nation Never Knew: Pat Nixon in Private Taped Phone Calls & 100 Pictures on Her Centennial |publisher=Carl Anthony Online |date=March 16, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2018}}
First first lady to address a Republican National Convention (in 1972).{{cite news|title=The First Lady a Nation Never Knew: Pat Nixon in Private Taped Phone Calls & 100 Pictures on Her Centennial|url=https://carlanthonyonline.com/2012/03/16/the-first-lady-a-nation-never-knew-pat-nixon-in-private-taped-phone-calls-100-pictures-on-her-centennial/|work=Carl Anthony Online|date=March 16, 2012|access-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117013849/https://carlanthonyonline.com/2012/03/16/the-first-lady-a-nation-never-knew-pat-nixon-in-private-taped-phone-calls-100-pictures-on-her-centennial/|archive-date=November 17, 2018|url-status=dead}}

Betty Ford

First first lady to be born in Illinois.The White House. "[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/elizabeth-anne-bloomer-ford/ Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford]" Retrieved January 10, 2021.
First first lady to have a successful battle against dependency on drugs and alcohol, and openly talk about it.

Rosalynn Carter

First first lady to keep her own office in the East Wing.{{Cite web|last=Digital|first=Tegna|date=2023-11-19|title=Rosalynn Carter, former US first lady, dead at 96|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/rosalynn-carter-dies-former-us-first-lady/507-1e7c3fb7-9ec5-40ee-b885-b626e4143228|access-date=2023-11-19|website=WCNC-TV|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120211613/https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/rosalynn-carter-dies-former-us-first-lady/507-1e7c3fb7-9ec5-40ee-b885-b626e4143228|archive-date=November 20, 2023}}
First first lady to have a VCR in the White House.
First first lady to have been married for 77 years.{{Cite web|last=Chamlee|first=Virginia|date=2023-07-07|title=Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Celebrate 77th Anniversary in Same Small Town as Their 1946 Wedding|url=https://people.com/jimmy-and-rosalynn-carter-celebrate-77-years-marriage-anniversary-7557884|access-date=2023-07-07|website=People|language=en}}

Nancy Reagan

First first lady to be legally adopted by her mother's second husband.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=41|title=First Lady Biography: Nancy Reagan|access-date=June 2, 2007|publisher=National First Ladies Library|archive-date=May 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509085730/http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=41|url-status=dead}}
First first lady invited to address the United Nations General Assembly.
First first lady married to a divorcé.{{cite web|author=National Constitution Center|url=http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2013/02/10-interesting-facts-on-president-ronald-reagans-birthday/|title=10 interesting facts on Ronald Reagan's birthday|work=National Constitution Center|access-date=July 12, 2013|date=February 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011213636/http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2013/02/10-interesting-facts-on-president-ronald-reagans-birthday/|archive-date=October 11, 2014|url-status=dead}}
First first lady to attend a British royal wedding.{{cite news|title=My Turn: The Memoirs of Nancy Reagan|first1=Nancy|last1=Reagan|first2=William|last2=Novak|author-link=Nancy Reagan|author-link2=William Novak|publisher=Random House|location=New York City|year=1989|isbn=0-8129-9211-3}}{{cite news|title=The Triumph of Nancy Reagan|first=Tumulty|last=Kathleen|author-link=Karen Tumulty|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=New York City|year=2021|isbn=9781501165207}}
First incumbent first lady to attend an Olympic Games (the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles).{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/fotoware?id=9C1926B408074458%20A3C6821676F70CCF|title=President and Mrs. Reagan Attend the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles|publisher=The White House Historical Association|access-date=October 12, 2024}}

Barbara Bush

First first lady to live to see a son become president.{{Sfn|Kilian|2002|p=227}}{{Sfn|Kilian|2002|p=232}}
First first lady to have lived at both Number One Observatory Circle and the White House.{{cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/1600/vp-residence |title=The Vice President's Residence |website=White House |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021225638/http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/vp_residence/ |archive-date=October 21, 2009}}{{cite web|last=Groppe|first=Maureen|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/04/george-h-w-bush-honored-vice-presidential-residence/2209781002/|title=Second Lady Karen Pence lights up garden to honor George H.W. Bush|website=USA Today|access-date=November 28, 2023|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128230812/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/04/george-h-w-bush-honored-vice-presidential-residence/2209781002/ |archive-date=November 28, 2023}}
First first lady to hire an African-American as her press secretary.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=42|title=Barbara Bush Biography: National First Ladies' Library|website=Firstladies.org|access-date=March 16, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316171258/http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=42 |archive-date=March 16, 2023}}
First first lady to throw out a ball to open the baseball season.
First first lady to write a memoir from her dog's perspective.
First first lady to give a live nationally broadcast speech.{{Sfn|Page|2019|loc=Chapter 14}}
First first lady to have been married for 73 years.{{cite news |last=Delk |first=Josh |title=George H.W. Bush and wife celebrate 73 years of marriage |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/367772-george-hw-bush-and-wife-celebrate-73-years-of-marriage/ |date=January 6, 2018 |work=The Hill |access-date=July 21, 2023|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729232505/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/367772-george-hw-bush-and-wife-celebrate-73-years-of-marriage/ |archive-date=July 29, 2023}}

Hillary Clinton

First first lady to earn a postgraduate degree.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/clinton-hillary/|title=Hillary Rodham Clinton|publisher=PBS|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-date=December 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228125947/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/clinton-hillary/|url-status=dead}} Clinton had the first postgraduate degree through regular study and scholarly work. Eleanor Roosevelt had been previously awarded a postgraduate honorary degree. Clinton's successor Laura Bush became the second First Lady with a postgraduate degree.
First first lady to have her own professional career up to the time of entering the White House.
First first lady to wear trousers in an official first lady portrait.{{cite web|author=Betsi Fores |url=http://rare.us/story/flashback-top-7-hillary-rodham-clinton-pant-suits/ |title=Flashback: Top 7 Hillary Rodham Clinton pant suits | Rare |publisher=Rare.us |date=June 19, 2013 |access-date=July 30, 2014}}
First first lady with an office in the West Wing.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/06/us/politics/hillary-clintons-history-as-first-lady-powerful-but-not-always-deft.html|title=Hillary Clinton's History as First Lady: Powerful, but Not Always Deft|first1=Peter|last1=Baker|first2=Amy|last2=Chozick|newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 5, 2014}}
First first lady to win a Grammy Award.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LOzfQEP3H8AC&pg=PA40|title=Encyclopedia of Women in American Politics|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1999|isbn=978-1-57356-131-0|pages=40–|author=Jeffrey D. Schultz}}
First first lady to be subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury.{{Cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/arkansas/docs/recs.html |work=Frontline |title=Once Upon a Time in Arkansas: Rose Law Firm Billing Records |date=October 7, 1997}}
First first lady to run for and to win elected office (for senator from New York in 2000).{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-first-lady-to-win-elected-office/ |title=First first lady to win elected office |publisher=Guinness World Records |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to march in an LGBT pride parade (2000).{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@natewhite11/why-hillary-s-experience-argument-actually-does-check-out-64cc9a439442#.swdfuutqn|title=Why Hillary's experience argument actually does check out — Medium|publisher=Medium.com|author=Nate White|access-date=June 28, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821202223/https://medium.com/%40natewhite11/why-hillary-s-experience-argument-actually-does-check-out-64cc9a439442#.swdfuutqn|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}
First first lady to run for president (election in 2008).{{cite news|last=McGregor |first=Jena |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2015/03/06/is-hillary-clintons-challenge-that-shes-been-set-up-for-failure-or-for-success/ |title=Is Hillary Clinton's challenge that she's been set up for failure, or for success? |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 28, 2015}}
First first lady to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party (specifically, the Democratic Party, in 2016).Alan Rappeport, Yamiche Alcindor & Jonathan Martin, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/27/us/politics/dnc-speakers-sanders-clinton.html Democrats Nominate Hillary Clinton Despite Sharp Divisions], New York Times (July 26, 2016).
First first lady to serve as Chancellor at Queen's University Belfast (began 5-year term in January 2020).Moriarty, Gerry. [https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/hillary-clinton-appointed-chancellor-of-queen-s-university-belfast-1.4128734 "Hillary Clinton appointed chancellor of Queen's University Belfast"]. The Irish Times. Retrieved January 2, 2020.Meredith, Robbie (January 2, 2020). [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-50970400 "Hillary Clinton appointed chancellor of Queen's University, Belfast"]. BBC News. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
First first lady to be an electoral college elector (election in 2020).{{Cite news |url= https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/28/politics/hillary-clinton-electoral-college-elector/index.html |work=CNN |title= Hillary Clinton says she is an Electoral College elector in New York |date=October 28, 2020}}

Laura Bush

First first lady to give birth to twins.{{cite news|title=Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life|first1=Jenna|last1=Bush Hager|first2=Barbara|last2=Pierce Bush|first3=Laura|last3=Bush|author-link=Jenna Bush Hager|author-link2=Barbara Bush (born 1981)|author-link3=Laura Bush|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|location=New York City|year=2017|isbn=9781538711415}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/10/jenna-bush-barbara-bush-video|title=Jenna and Barbara Bush Reveal the Bush Family's Favorite GIFs|date = October 24, 2017|website=Vanity Fair|access-date=2023-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120221216/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/10/jenna-bush-barbara-bush-video|archive-date=November 20, 2023}}
First first lady to substitute for the president in the president's weekly radio address.{{cite web |url=https://associationdatabase.com/aws/FLARE/pt/sd/calendar/222327/_blank/layout_details_nodate/false |title=Laura Welch Bush |website=Association database |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120214251/https://associationdatabase.com/aws/FLARE/pt/sd/calendar/222327/_blank/layout_details_nodate/false |archive-date=November 20, 2023}}
First incumbent first lady to have a mother-in-law who was also a first lady.{{Sfn|Kilian|2002|p=227}}{{Sfn|Kilian|2002|p=232}}

Michelle Obama

First African American first lady.{{cite web|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/michelle-obama/ |title=First Lady Michelle Obama |publisher=White House |access-date=July 7, 2015}}
First first lady to attend an Ivy League university for her undergraduate degree. She majored in sociology and minored in African-American studies at Princeton University.{{cite web|title=Michelle Obama|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/michelle-obama/|website=White House|language=en|date=January 2, 2015}}{{cite news|access-date=January 22, 2008 |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/221458,CST-NWS-mich21.article |title=The woman behind Obama |author=Rossi, Rosalind |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=January 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215230648/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/221458%2CCST-NWS-mich21.article |archive-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|access-date=May 18, 2008 |url=https://www.princeton.edu/main/academics/departments/|title=Academic Departments & Programs |publisher=The Trustees of Princeton University |year=2008}}
First first lady to announce the winner of an Oscar (Best Picture which went to Argo).{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-oscars-michelleobama-idUSBRE91O07020130225|title=Michelle Obama surprises Oscars by presenting Best Picture award|access-date=February 25, 2013|date=February 24, 2013|publisher=Reuters}}
First first lady to host the Girl Scouts campout at the White House.Julian Hughes. July 1, 2015. "[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obamas-host-first-ever-campout-for-girl-scouts-at-the-white-house/ Obamas host first ever campout for Girl Scouts at the White House]" CBS News. Retrieved January 9, 2021.

Melania Trump

First first lady not to have been born a citizen of the United States or in what would later become the United States.{{efn|Though Louisa Adams was born outside of the United States, she was the daughter of an American father - Joshua Johnson, the American Consul in London - and American citizenship was, therefore, her birthright.{{cite book|last1=Harris|first1=Bill|last2=Ross|first2=Laura|date=March 4, 2009|title=The First Ladies Fact Book: Revised and Updated! The Childhoods, Courtships, Marriages, Campaigns, Accomplishments, and Legacies of Every First Lady from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KpRfLDnY44gC&q=louisa+adams+citizenship&pg=PT233|publisher=Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers|isbn=978-1579128098}}{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/louisa-adams|title=Louisa Adams - First Ladies|publisher=History.com|access-date=November 19, 2016}}}} She was naturalized in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/09/politics/america-new-first-lady/|title=America, meet your new first lady|publisher=CNN|last=Diamond|first=Jeremy|date=November 10, 2016|access-date=November 20, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Melania to be 1st foreign-born First Lady since 1820s|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/melania-trump-to-be-1st-foreignborn-us-first-lady-since-1820s/article9324009.ece|access-date=November 9, 2016|work=The Hindu|date=November 9, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37924617|title=US election: Trump children - who is the new first family?|date=November 9, 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=November 9, 2016}}
First first lady to be fluent in a Slavic language.{{cite news|last1=Puente|first1=Maria|title=What kind of first lady will Melania Trump be?|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2016/11/09/what-kind-first-lady-melania-trump/93547736/|access-date=April 4, 2017|work=USA Today|date=November 9, 2016}}
First first lady to fly in a V-22 Osprey aircraft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/12/12/melania-trump-thanks-troops-greets-children-in-virginia/|title=Melania Trump makes first lady history with ride in Osprey aircraft|agency=The Associated Press|date=December 16, 2018|website=Military Times|language=en-US|access-date=December 27, 2018}}
First first lady to visit Malawi.{{Cite web |title=Readout of First Lady Melania Trump’s Visit to Lilongwe, Malawi – The White House |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/readout-first-lady-melania-trumps-visit-lilongwe-malawi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov}}

Jill Biden

First first lady to have a research doctorate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/entertainment/celebrities/2020/11/07/jill-biden-historic-first-lady-call-her-professor-flotus/6042142002/|title=Jill Biden will be historic first lady: Just call her 'Professor FLOTUS'|website=USA Today|access-date=December 17, 2020|first=Maria |last=Puente|date=November 10, 2020}}
First first lady to be an Italian American.ISDA Staff (November 7, 2020). "[https://orderisda.org/culture/women/jill-biden-set-to-become-the-first-italian-american-first-lady/ Jill Biden Set to Become the First Italian American First Lady]" Italian Sons & Daughters of America. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
First first lady to bring a rescue dog (Major) to the White House.Martichoux, Alix. November 7, 2020. "[https://abc7news.com/joe-biden-dogs-dog-major-first-rescue-in-the-white-house-dotus/7752660/ Joe Biden will bring first rescue dog to the White House]" ABC7. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
First first lady to hold a paying job outside the White House while her husband was president.{{cite news | url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/12/jill-biden-first-lady-professor-436363 | title=First professor: Jill Biden to make history as a first lady with a day job | author-first=Nicole | author-last=Gaudiano | work=Politico | date=November 12, 2020 | access-date=November 14, 2020 | archive-date=December 23, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223210419/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/12/jill-biden-first-lady-professor-436363 | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/20/politics/jill-biden-first-lady-agenda/index.html | title=Jill Biden is hitting the ground running – in all directions | author-first=Kate | author-last=Bennett | publisher=CNN | date=February 20, 2021 | access-date=March 8, 2021}}
First first lady to attend a British coronation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/jill-biden-charles-coronation-was-just-amazing-see-rcna83205|title=Jill Biden: Charles' coronation was 'just amazing to see'|agency=The Associated Press|date = May 6, 2023|website=NBC News|access-date=2023-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601155625/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/jill-biden-charles-coronation-was-just-amazing-see-rcna83205|archive-date=June 1, 2023}}
First incumbent first lady to meet with two British monarchs (Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III).{{cite news |last1=Henni |first1=Janine |title=King Charles Welcomes President Joe Biden to Windsor Castle for First Formal Meeting of Royal Reign |url=https://people.com/king-charles-president-joe-biden-windsor-castle-meeting-first-royal-reign-7558110 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=People}}
First sitting first lady to reach the age of 70.{{Cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jill-biden-oldest-first-lady|title=Is Jill Biden the Oldest Sitting First Lady? |author-first=Dan|author-last=Evon |date=June 3, 2023 |access-date=June 16, 2023}}
First incumbent first lady to have one of her stepchildren convicted in a criminal trial.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/11/hunter-biden-gun-trial-guilty-verdict-00162694|title=Hunter Biden found guilty on federal gun charges|first1=Betsy Woodruff|last1=Swan|first2=Josh|last2=Gerstein|publisher=Politico|date=June 11, 2024|accessdate=June 11, 2024}}
First sitting first lady to become a step-great-grandmother.{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Kaia |date=2025-01-08 |title=President Biden now a great-grandfather as Naomi Biden gives birth to baby boy - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/naomi-biden-baby-joe-biden-great-grandfather/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{cite web|title=Biden is a great-grandfather|url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-great-grandfather-naomi-20c329dfb930aee351e2ea7eb237cbb1|last1=Superville|first1=Darelene|date=January 8, 2025|access-date=January 9, 2025|website=apnews.com|publisher=The Associated Press}}{{cite web|title=Biden becomes great-grandfather, in likely presidential first|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5075085-joe-biden-becomes-great-grandfather/|last1=Fields|first1=Ashleigh|date=January 8, 2025|access-date=January 9, 2025|website=thehill.com|publisher=The Hill}}

Notes

References

{{cite book|last=Kilian|first=Pamela|url=https://archive.org/details/barbarabushmatri00kili/|title=Barbara Bush: Matriarch of a Dynasty|year=2002|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin|isbn=978-0312319700}}

{{Cite book |last=Page |first=Susan |author-link=Susan Page |year=2019 |title=The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty |location=New York |publisher=Twelve |isbn=978-1-5387-1364-8 |oclc=1032584246}}

Category:Lists of firsts

Category:Women-related lists

First Lady of the United States