First Lady of the United States

"First Lady of the United States" is the unofficial title of the hostess of the White House. The position is traditionally filled by the wife of the President of the United States, and the title is sometimes taken to apply only to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Laura Welch Bush. Some of the most notable former first ladies include Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, Jacqueline Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Hillary Clinton. Several women, other than wives of presidents, have been recognized as being a "first lady." This situation has arisen due to the president being a bachelor or widower, when the position was then filled by a female relative or friend of the president. Less commonly, the first lady has delegated her duties to another woman when she is unable or unwilling to fulfill them herself. (The government jargon that often acronymizes the President of the United States as "POTUS" similarly applies "FLOTUS" to the first lady.)

First Ladies of the United States

The following women have been recognized by The National First Ladies' Library as "first lady":

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The following women are known to have acted as hostess on behalf of the first lady when she was otherwise unable or unwilling:

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