Julia Gardiner Tyler

May 4, 1820

Julia Gardiner Tyler – Born July 29, 1820 (Gardiners Island, NY). Died July 10, 1889 (Richmond, VA)

White House Years: 1844-1845

○ Julia Tyler was the first first lady to marry a president who had already taken office.

○ Julia Tyler is the only first lady who was born in the early 19th century to still have a living grandchild in the 21st century (Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Jr., died October 9, 2020)

○ Julia Tyler was the first first lady to seek out newspaper coverage of her as a public figure.

○ She began the custom of having “Hail to the Chief” played for all official presidential appearances.

Julia Tyler was 30 years younger than her husband. Her parents were friends of Tyler’s, and her father was on a ship with the President when an explosion killed him and several others. Julia was with the President below the deck when it happened. The President consoled her, and the relationship led to their marriage.

Quotes:

- “This winter I intend to do something in the way of entertaining that shall be the admiration and talk of the Washington world.”

- “The President says I am the best of diplomats. . . .I have commenced my auspicious reign and am in quiet possession of the Presidential Mansion.”

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