Edith Bolling Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edith Bolling Wilson
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Edith Bolling Wilson
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| First Lady of the United States | |
| In office December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921 |
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| Preceded by | Ellen Axson Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Florence Harding |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edith Bolling Galt Wilson
October 15, 1872 Wytheville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | December 28, 1961 (aged 89) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Spouses | Norman Galt Woodrow Wilson |
| Signature |  |
Edith Bolling Galt Wilson (born October 15, 1872 – died December 28, 1961) was the second wife of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 1915 to 1921. She met the President in March 1915 and they married nine months later.
During her time as First Lady, her husband became very ill. He needed a lot of help with his presidential duties. Edith stepped in to assist him. Because of her important role, some people called her "the Secret President." Others even said she was "the first woman to run the government."
Early Life
Edith Bolling was born in Wytheville, Virginia. Her parents were Sallie White and Judge William Holcombe Bolling. She was the seventh of their eleven children. Through her grandmother, Edith was a direct descendant of Pocahontas, a famous Native American woman.
When she was 15, Edith went to Martha Washington College to study music. She later attended another smaller school in Richmond, Virginia.
While visiting her married sister in Washington, D.C., Edith met Norman Galt. He was a wealthy jeweler. They married in 1896. For 12 years, she lived a comfortable life in Washington D.C. However, she also faced sad times. In 1903, her baby son lived for only a few days. This difficult birth meant she could not have more children. In 1908, her husband Norman died. Edith Galt chose a manager to run the family’s jewelry business. The business continued to do well and earn money.
Marriage to President Wilson
In 1915, Edith Galt met President Wilson. He liked her very much and asked her to marry him. They were married on December 18, 1915. When he proposed, President Wilson spoke like a poet. He said that "in this place time is not measured by weeks, or months, or years, but by deep human experiences."
As First Lady
Mrs. Wilson was well-prepared to be the First Lady. She began her new role. During this time, World War I had started. This meant there were fewer social events at the White House. In 1917, the United States joined the war. Mrs. Wilson began helping her husband, who was under great pressure because of the war. She also traveled with him to Europe for the peace talks after the war ended.
After returning from Europe, President Wilson worked hard to get the Senate to approve the peace treaty. He also wanted approval for an agreement to create the League of Nations. Meanwhile, his health was getting worse. In September 1919, he had a stroke. This made him partially paralyzed. Edith Wilson stayed by his side constantly. She took on many of the government's daily tasks. She helped her husband with official matters. She also sent other official matters to the correct department heads or decided to delay them.
Edith Wilson later wrote a book called My Memoir. It was published in 1939. In her book, she said that her husband’s doctors had asked her to take on many of his responsibilities. Some historians have different opinions about her role. For example, historian Phyllis Levin described her as "a woman of narrow views and formidable determination." Some historians have suggested her influence played a part in certain U.S. policy challenges after World War I.
Later Years
In 1921, the Wilsons retired and continued to live in Washington, D.C. Three years later, her husband, Woodrow Wilson, died. She continued to live in Washington. People admired her, and she became a respected person in the high society of the capital. She lived a long life. She even lived to see President John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade. Edith Wilson died on December 28, 1961. This was the 105th anniversary of her second husband's birth. She was 89 years old when she died. This made her the third longest-lived First Lady at that time, after Bess Truman and Lady Bird Johnson.
Images for kids
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Wilson's official White House portrait
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Woodrow Wilson's first posed photograph after his stroke. He was paralyzed on his left side, so Edith holds a document steady while he signs. June 1920.
See also
In Spanish: Edith Wilson para niños
