-
Hillary Clinton
served from 1993 to 2001 -
Laura Bush
served from 2001 to 2009 -
Michelle Obama
served from 2009 to 2017 -
Melania Trump
served from 2017 to 2021
First Lady of the United States | |
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Style |
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Residence | White House |
Inaugural holder | Martha Washington |
Formation | April 30, 1789 |
Website | whitehouse.gov |
First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is the title and role held by hostess of the White House and usually the wife of the president of the United States, during the president's term in office.
Jill Biden is the current first lady of the United States, in role since January 2021 as the wife of President Joe Biden.[1]
The first lady is not elected by the people of the United States. There are no official jobs she is officially required to perform and she is not paid for being the first lady, but she is often involved in political campaigns, managements of the White House, participating in social causes and representing the president at official and ceremonial occasions and accompanying the president on foreign summits and events.
The Office of the First Lady of the United States helps the first lady carry out her duties as the official hostess of the White House, and is also in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House.
The first lady has her own staff that includes a chief of staff, press secretary, White House Social Secretary, and Chief Floral Designer. The Office of the First Lady is located in the East Wing of the White House.
Since the 1920s, many first ladies have become public speakers, to promote public initiatives. A staff supports her agenda.
Some first ladies have had an inspirational fashion style such as Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Mary Todd Lincoln, Edith Roosevelt, Grace Coolidge, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mamie Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, and Jill Biden.
As of 2024, there are four living former first ladies.