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 It is not
so easy - to be the First Lady. A woman who holds this non-official office
though not elected has a significant influence on the electioneering in regards
to her husband. She is nagging examined, her drawbacks and advantages are classified.
Parameters of her beauty intellect, taste, style and sense of humor is measured
onto the most accurate weighs, almost as in the drug store. To be next to the husband,
first candidate to the President and then a President, to raise children, represent
a country and at the same time live up to the reputation they way she must do -
not so high not to shield her husband vested with power, but not so low with
the aim not to disgrace him, the task is very heavy and honorable at the same
time.
History background
Preliminary
the term First Lady was used exclusively to name the spouse of the US President,
however consequently it penetrated other languages and now used to name a
spouse of the head of any country. First this term referred to a political life
in 1849 when the President Zachary Taylor named the wife of the 4th President,
James Madison in his speech to her funeral.
Nevertheless,
the first woman who was called First Lady officially was Harriet Lane - niece
of the 15th US President James Buchanan (the only bachelor President in the US
history that is why his niece was the hostess at different functions at White
house). But this term got popular only in 1877: Lucy Webb Haze was first called
as First Lady being the wife to Rutherford Birchard Hayes, 19th US President.
Never argue
with Eleonora, you will fail to win (32nd US President about his wife, Anna
Eleonora)
Eleonora
Roosevelt (by the way, she was in keen relations with her husband, their uncle
- Theodor Roosevelt was also elected US President once) married to Roosevelt,
Franklin Delano when she was only 19. Reserved, but very intelligent and active
girl became a wife to one of the greatest politicians of the XX century and
gave birth to six children. Nevertheless, she was not happy in marriage. When
she revealed that her husband betrayed her, she never entered into their
bedroom any longer, she stated, «I may forgive but it is difficult to forget».
She got occupied in public activity to survive in this struggle with herself.
Eleonora
entered into the annals of the history of America as a social and political
person, author of books, writer of political essays and diplomat, fighter for
human rights, yet in 1946 she was elected Chairman of the UN Committee on Human
Rights Protection. Harry Truman called her First Lady in the World and he was
right.
In 1939 Eleonora
left behind her husband in issues of the society and her popularity index
showed 67% that the Americans evaluated her activity as good, and the activity of
Franklin Roosevelt was proved by 58% of respondents. Eleonora Roosevelt entered
the history as a woman mostly adored in USA.
Mrs. Kennedy
is the precious jewel even for US President. (Charles de Gaulle about
Jacqueline, a wife to the 35th US President)
One of the style
icons, Jacqueline Bouvier, was brought-up as a lady. Very strict limits, polished
manners, education and personality. A daughter of the New York banker of French
citizenship, Jacqueline Bouvier became the wife to John Kennedy, the youngest
President in US history. She was only 31 years old when the tabloids said,
Jacqueline, First Lady. She adored beautiful things and spent dozens of
thousands of dollars for attires and jewels. Her style, luxury and elegance,
was acknowledged as classic and millions of women all over the world tend to
imitate her. Though few manage it.
Jackie did
not make any revolutionary things in the White House and was not very much
concerned with her husband's business. The main thing in her life became her
family, and exactly inside the family the terrible battles with thrilling
losses happened. A fragile First Lady had to survive dreadful drama of her
children death and dishonest betrays from her husband. She got armed with all her
self-possession bordering on impermeability to live up ten years of horrible -
and happy- life. After her husband's
death Jackie disappointed the Americans on an immediate effect - the First Lady
of the country married to the Greek billionaire Onassis. People tried to forget
her but failed. That wonderful woman was so charming, and though she did little
for the country unlike other president's wife before and after her, holding an informal
office of the First Lady of America.
My spouse
in more interesting than me (38th US President about his wife, Elizabeth Ann)
Once Ford
admitted that he had no impression when meeting his wife first, that she is especially
for him and a giggler-dancer Betty once married and did not show a joy to
repeat this. But in 1948 Ford made Betty a strange proposal, «I would like to
marry you but I can do it only in autumn. I will explain the reason later on». Ford
was then campaigning for what would be his first of thirteen terms as a member
of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the wedding was delayed until shortly
before the elections, because, as The New York Times reported, «Jerry was
running for Congress and wasn't sure how voters might feel about his marrying a
divorced ex-dancer». Newly-made Mrs. Ford devoted herself to the family and
gave birth to three sons and a daughter. She was always concerned with the
passion of her husband in politics.
When as a result
of Watergate Gerald Rudolph Ford was sworn, Betty all of a sudden became the
First Lady in another way that other women before her, without long election
campaign. And when her husband lost elections to Carter in 1976, Betty fell
into a long depression, started taking opioid analgesics and got addicted to
alcohol.
However,
she was strong enough to overcome all this and became an exemplary woman for others
who are in the same situation. In the early
1987 her book «Betty: A Glad Awakening» was published where she described obstacles
related to alcoholism and pills and shared the history of successful treatment
at the Center established by her herself.
Has Nancy seen
it? (Ronald Reagan, 40th US President)
A couple of
actors who settled in the White House
during uneasy times of «war stars», center of evil, cold war, then ruin of the
USSR, appeared to be worthy of the nation and epoch. Reaganomics and her, lovely Nancy. There were
gossips and legends about her influence upon her husband. Dramatic, strong and resolute
- the features that completely confronted with her look of Thumberlina -she
always achieved what she wanted, whether a new lover or the post of President
for her husband. She was despised and afraid of, but she purposefully went
straight to her goals. Furthermore, this unique and stable First Lady became
just a woman when her husband was in need of her. In 1980 Reagan became the
oldest US President and the following year he experienced almost successful
attempt on his life. Soon after, in 1985 and 1987, he was operated several times
in regards to the intestine cancer, skin neoplasms and prostate adenoma. And then,
the horrible thing - Alzheimer's disease, vacuum in the consciousness, gradual
degradation of the near and dear. Nancy endured and believed in the best even
when the hope died. She enjoyed every minute to spend next to her husband. Till
his end.
Vote for
me, and you will get her (Bill Clinton about Hillary)
Hillary
Rodem Clinton is the only one from the First Ladies who did not refuse from her
maiden name in her official signature and this fact says a lot. At least, about
her independence, individuality and strong mind. William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd
US President might not be the best to hold this post and not the very faithful husband
in the world, but it was Hillary who became that happy talisman that safeguarded
ne'er-do-well Bill. The most significant political role of Hillary was the role
of the wife whose husband betrayed her. Who knows, may be Bill was not striped
of power thanks to her positioning during scandal with Monica.
Hillary never
hid her political ambitions: giving way to Baraka Obama in the struggle between
parties for nomination of the President post, Hillary became the State
Secretary of the USA. If one considers the scale of influence, this is not just
a bird in her hand.
Plain Hillary
who managed to get a handsome Bill, revealed all her talents to open public and
presented the image of new contemporary woman who is intelligent, clever and
successful. They say that assets of the Clintons increased only thanks to her,
that she holds Bill at her hand or sometimes gives pocket money to him. It is possible.
And what should he expect after the trick with Monica?
Today I am
honored of accompanying Michelle Obama at the ball floor (Barak Obama, 44th US
President)
This young
couple is a mystery currently. They have been too little under the floodlights
and they hide something from the society. But how they are going to endure the rising
hysteria of obamamania, unavoidable small and big mistakes, disappointment of
public and scandals? Are they going to live with it till the end of their
lives?
Barak is going
to struggle against crisis in the country, while Michelle intended to devote
herself to children up-bringing. But it is hardly believed that such a
strong-willed and brilliant woman as Michelle could stay in the shadow of her
husband. Even now they gossip that she has incredible influence on her husband.
Only think of it: will a woman who dared to wear extraordinary attire to the
inauguration of her husband bake or knit socks?!
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