The first lady of the United States from 1865 to 1869 was the wife of the 17th President, Andrew Johnson. Though she held the title, she rarely stepped into the public spotlight—appearing in her official role as First Lady on only two recorded occasions. Before fame brought her into the national eye, she had married Andrew Johnson at just sixteen years old, beginning a life shaped by both personal devotion and political circumstance. Over the years, she and Andrew Johnson built a family together, welcoming six children. Among them was their son, Andrew Johnson, Jr., whose life was tragically cut short when he passed away at the young age of twenty-seven. Throughout it all, her quiet strength and resilience stood out, even as she remained largely behind the scenes. The story of her life reflects both the challenges and the quiet dignity that often defined the role of a first lady during that era.
She served as First Lady for a relatively brief period, largely due to the illness she faced after her husband assumed the presidency.