Jane Hadley Barkley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Hadley Barkley
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Barkley in 1950
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| Second Lady of the United States | |
| In role November 18, 1949 – January 20, 1953 |
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| Vice President | Alben W. Barkley |
| Preceded by | Bess Truman |
| Succeeded by | Pat Nixon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elizabeth Jane Rucker
September 23, 1911 Keytesville, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 6, 1964 (aged 52) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Valhalla Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Republican (formerly) |
| Spouses |
Carleton Hadley
(m. 1931; died 1944) |
| Children | 2 (with Hadley) |
Elizabeth Jane Barkley (born Rucker, later Hadley; September 23, 1911 – September 6, 1964) was an important figure in American politics. She was known as Jane Hadley Barkley. From 1949 to 1953, she served as the Second Lady of the United States. This means she was the wife of the Vice President, Alben W. Barkley.
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Jane Barkley's Early Life
Jane Barkley was born in Keytesville, Missouri. Her father was a lawyer, and her mother was a talented pianist. In 1931, Jane married her first husband, Carleton Hadley. He was also a lawyer. They met while studying at Washington University in St. Louis. Carleton became a well-known railroad attorney. Jane and Carleton had two daughters together. Sadly, Carleton passed away in 1945 when he was 42 years old.
Marriage to Vice President Alben Barkley
Jane Hadley met Alben W. Barkley, who was the Vice President of the United States, in May 1949. He was a widower, meaning his first wife had passed away. Vice President Barkley was 71 years old, and Jane was 38. He was 33 years older than her.
Before meeting Barkley, Jane was a strong supporter of the Republican Party. In 1940, she even worked for the Republican presidential candidate, Wendell Willkie. She once left a funny note for her milkman, who liked President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The note said, "No Willkie, no milkie!"
The Vice President really wanted to get to know Jane. He often traveled to St. Louis to visit her. Their relationship became famous across the country. On October 30, 1949, they announced they were getting married.
Jane and Alben Barkley got married on November 18, 1949. The wedding took place at St. John's Methodist Church in St. Louis. About 33 family members and a few reporters attended the ceremony. Outside, a crowd of about 5,000 people cheered for the happy couple. When asked about Jane's past political views, the Vice President joked that she was "swept off her feet by Willkie, but now she's back in the fold." This meant she was now a supporter of his party, the Democratic Party.
Life After the Vice Presidency
Alben Barkley finished his term as Vice President in January 1953. He was later elected to the U.S. Senate in 1954. He served as a Senator until he passed away in 1956.
After her husband's death, Jane Barkley took a job as a secretary. She worked at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. In 1958, Mrs. Barkley wrote a book about her life. It was called I Married the Veep. "Veep" is a common nickname for the Vice President.
Death
Jane Barkley passed away on September 6, 1964. She was 52 years old and died from a heart attack. At the time of her death, she was still working at George Washington University. She was buried at Valhalla Cemetery in Bel-Nor, Missouri.
