Elaine Edwards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elaine Edwards
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| First Lady of Louisiana | |
| In role March 12, 1984 – March 14, 1988 |
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| Preceded by | Dolores Treen |
| Succeeded by | Patti Crocker Roemer |
| In role May 9, 1972 – March 10, 1980 |
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| Preceded by | Marjorie McKeithen |
| Succeeded by | Dolores Treen |
| United States Senator from Louisiana |
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| In office August 1, 1972 – November 13, 1972 |
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| Appointed by | Edwin Edwards |
| Preceded by | Allen J. Ellender |
| Succeeded by | J. Bennett Johnston |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elaine Lucille Schwartzenburg
March 8, 1929 Marksville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 2018 (aged 89) Denham Springs, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Resthaven Gardens of Memory and Mausoleum Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
Elaine Lucille Edwards (born Schwartzenburg; March 8, 1929 – May 14, 2018) was an American politician. She was from the state of Louisiana. Elaine Edwards was a member of the Democratic Party.
In 1972, her husband, Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, chose her to serve in the United States Senate. This happened after Senator Allen Ellender passed away. She also served as the First Lady of Louisiana for many years.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Elaine Edwards was born in Marksville, Louisiana. This town is the main city of Avoyelles Parish. Her parents were Errol Leo and Myrl Dupuy Schwartzenburg.
She was baptized Catholic and had two brothers, Frank and Ralph. In 1949, she married Edwin Edwards. Both Elaine and Edwin graduated from Marksville High School.
Elaine once said that all she wanted was to get married and have a family. She also enjoyed keeping a home.
A Senator for Louisiana
Elaine Edwards became the First Lady of Louisiana in 1972. She served in this role for a total of twelve years. These years were not all in a row.
On August 1, 1972, Senator Allen Ellender died. Her husband, Governor Edwin Edwards, then appointed Elaine to the U.S. Senate. She served for the last few months of Ellender's term.
When she was appointed, Edwards said she accepted the chance. But she also made it clear she was not a typical senator. She did not try to get elected in November 1972.
She stepped down right after J. Bennett Johnston was confirmed as the winner. This allowed Johnston to start his Senate term earlier.
First Lady of Louisiana
Elaine Edwards was the First Lady of Louisiana from 1972 to 1980. She held this role again from 1984 to 1988. This made her the longest-serving First Lady in Louisiana's history.
During her husband's third term as governor, she did not live full-time at the Governor's mansion. Instead, she spent most of her time at the family's home in Baton Rouge.
In the 1976 presidential election, Elaine supported Gerald Ford. Her husband, Edwin, supported other candidates.
Life After Politics
After her time in the Senate, Edwards started a small business. She made custom-made dresses. She continued this business even when she was First Lady in the 1980s.
In the 1990s, she moved to New York City. There, she sometimes worked as an actress in soap operas.
Later Years and Legacy
Edwin and Elaine Edwards divorced in 1989. They had been married for forty years. They had four children together, two daughters and two sons.
Elaine Edwards passed away on May 14, 2018. She was at her daughter's home in Denham Springs, Louisiana. She was buried at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge.
See also
In Spanish: Elaine S. Edwards para niños
