Nancy Tuckerman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nancy Tuckerman
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White House Official Portrait, 1963
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| 12th White House Social Secretary | |
| In office 1963–1963 |
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| Appointed by | Jacqueline Kennedy |
| Preceded by | Letitia Baldrige |
| Succeeded by | Bess Abell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Nancy Ludlow Tuckerman
October 24, 1928 Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 1, 2018 (aged 89) Salisbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
Nancy Ludlow Tuckerman (born October 24, 1928 – died August 1, 2018) was an important person in the White House. She worked as the White House Social Secretary during the time John F. Kennedy was president. After President Kennedy passed away, she stayed on as a personal helper for Jackie Kennedy until Jackie's death in 1994.
Contents
Growing Up: Nancy's Early Life
Nancy Tuckerman was often called "Tucky" by her friends and family. She was the daughter of Betty and Roger Tuckerman. Her father was a successful stockbroker in Manhattan. Nancy grew up in Southampton, New York and Farmington, Connecticut. Her aunt, Dorothy Draper, was a famous decorator.
Nancy had a sister named Cynthia and a brother named Roger. Her family was also related to Oliver Wolcott. He was the 19th Governor of Connecticut.
A Lifelong Friendship Begins
Nancy Tuckerman and Jackie Bouvier met when they were young girls, around 8 or 9 years old. They both went to the Chapin School in New York City. Their families spent summers together on Long Island. Later, they were roommates at Miss Porter's School, a boarding school in Connecticut.
In 1953, Nancy was a bridesmaid at Jackie Bouvier's wedding to John F. Kennedy. This showed how close their friendship was.
Nancy's Career and White House Role
Before working for the Kennedys, Nancy Tuckerman had her own travel business. But then, Jackie Kennedy asked her to come work for her. This happened after John F. Kennedy was elected president. In 1963, Jackie Kennedy even threw a surprise 35th birthday party for Nancy at the White House!
Supporting Jackie Kennedy
When President Kennedy passed away, Nancy had a very important job. She was in charge of answering thousands of letters. These letters were sent to Jackie Kennedy from people all over the world. Today, these letters, signed by Nancy, are special collector's items.
After leaving the White House, Nancy continued to work for Jackie Kennedy. She was Jackie's personal secretary until Jackie's death in 1994. Nancy's personal notes and papers from her time in the White House were made public in 2015. They are known as the Nancy Tuckerman Files.
Other Work and Legacy
In the 1970s, Nancy Tuckerman worked in public relations for Olympic Airways. This airline was owned by Aristotle Onassis, Jackie Kennedy's second husband. In this role, Nancy helped start the first New York City Marathon.
She also helped update a famous book called Amy Vanderbilt’s Complete Book of Etiquette in 1995. Nancy was a very private person. She never gave interviews or wrote a book about her close friendship with Jackie Kennedy.
In the 2016 movie Jackie, Nancy Tuckerman was played by actress Greta Gerwig. Nancy spent her retirement years living in Salisbury, Connecticut.
Nancy's Passing
Nancy Tuckerman passed away on August 1, 2018. She was 89 years old. She died from a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was living in an assisted-living center in Salisbury, Connecticut at the time.
