Art, obsession, and identity
The First Lady of the United States is a prestigious position to have. Throughout history, First Ladies have inspired and influenced women all over the globe. But being the FLOTUS is not just glitz and glamour. They have rules to follow, are expected to perform certain tasks, and still have to wives, moms, and overall women we look up to. But how much do you know about what it takes to be the First Lady of the United States?
Browse through the following gallery to find out.
The First Lady of the United States is a prestigious position to have. Throughout history, First Ladies have inspired and influenced women all over the globe. But being the FLOTUS is not just glitz and glamour. They have rules to follow, are expected to perform certain tasks, and still have to wives, moms, and overall women we look up to. But how much do you know about what it takes to be the First Lady of the United States?
Browse through the following gallery to find out.
First Ladies can give their own personal touch to their family's bedrooms for instance, but for public rooms and other spaces they'll need approval.
Here is Nancy Reagan working with interior designer Ted Graber.
Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition in 1961. The first theme was called the "Nutcracker Suite."
Because they are considered gifts to the country and not to the First Lady and her family.
Though the First Lady might have to declare them in the annual disclosure report and pay taxes. As for food, drinks, combustible items, and creams or lotions applied to the skin, they're destroyed by the Secret Service, for security reasons.
"In the White House you can't open a window. Sasha opened her window once — there were calls. 'Shut the window!' It never opened again," said Michelle Obama in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
First Ladies are expected to do so, and arrange everything, from seating to decor and entertainment.
"The planning of the egg roll traditionally falls on first ladies, each incorporating her own tastes and interests to the event," says the White House website.
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush hosted the first official White House Jewish celebration.
After an election, the First Lady gives the First-Lady-To-Be a tour of their future residence.
Things such as food, clothing, and toiletries come out of the family's pocket.
First Ladies can accept designer dresses as gifts, as long as they donate them afterwards. For example, both Melania Trump and Michelle Obama donated theirs to the Smithsonian.
Melania Trump was criticized when she wore this jacket with the words "I really don't care, do u?"
The Secret Service doesn't allow First Ladies to drive. Both Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama have expressed in interviews how much they missed it.
But, unlike the president (while in office), the First Lady can decline Secret Service protection.
The law says "protection of a spouse shall terminate in the event of remarriage."
First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln began the tradition. Pictured is the Obama State China Service.
In 2018, Melania Trump famously called for the dismissal of deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel.
Jill Biden was famously a community college teacher, and the first First Lady to hold a paid job outside the White House.
Some First Ladies take an active role in their husband's administrations. Hillary Clinton, for instance, worked as the chair of the President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform.
This is the tradition, but in instances where the president was a bachelor or widower, the role was usually filled by another family member. President Woodrow Wilson’s daughter Margaret Woodrow Wilson was the most recent.
Lady Bird Johnson began this tradition, which has been followed by First Ladies ever since.
Melania Trump stayed in New York with son Barron until he finished the school year, before joining Donald Trump in the White House.
The Twitter account was passed from Michelle Obama to Melania Trump, to Jill Biden, and is now back with Melania Trump.
Reportedly Melania Trump broke this rule and used a personal email account to discuss government business.
Reportedly, Jackie Kennedy didn't like the title and thought it sounded "like a saddle horse." She preferred to be called Mrs. Kennedy.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter started the tradition of spending the night before inauguration at Blair House, which is located opposite the White House.
The only exception was Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who sent their daughter, Amy, to public school.
Though they don't have to vacate it immediately, but reportedly Jackie Kennedy left the White House just a couple of weeks after her husband's assassination.
White House pets are an old tradition and most First Ladies are happy with that. Except Melania and Donald Trump, who more recently broke the tradition.
Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Reagan are among some of the former First Ladies who wrote memoirs.
Sources: (Good Housekeeping)
What's it really like to be the First Lady of the United States?
From rules to traditions
LIFESTYLE Flotus
The First Lady of the United States is a prestigious position to have. Throughout history, First Ladies have inspired and influenced women all over the globe. But being the FLOTUS is not just glitz and glamour. They have rules to follow, are expected to perform certain tasks, and still have to wives, moms, and overall women we look up to. But how much do you know about what it takes to be the First Lady of the United States?
Browse through the following gallery to find out.