First Lady of the United States

This page is about role of the wives of the U.S. president. For others, see List of first ladies of the United States.

First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is the title and role held by the hostess of the White House. This is usually the wife of the president of the United States, during the president's term in office.

First Lady of the United States
Incumbent Melania Trump since January 20, 2025
Style	Madam First Lady Mrs. Trump
Abbreviation	FLOTUS
Residence	White House
Inaugural holder	Martha Washington
Formation	April 30, 1789 (1789-04-30)
Website	whitehouse.gov

Melania Trump is the current first lady of the United States, in role since January 2025 as the wife of President Donald Trump.

First Lady Designate

The first lady-designate is the wife of the president-elect of the United States. The president-elect was the candidate who won the presidential election, but is awaiting the inauguration to become president. The first-lady designate is also awaiting the inauguration to become the first lady.

The term corresponds to the term "incoming first lady", used for those wives of president-elects for the same period between their election and inauguration. Incumbent first ladies whose husbands have won re-election for a second term are not referred to as first-lady designate, as they are already in office and are not waiting to become first lady.

Origins and role

The first lady is not elected by the people of the United States. There are no official jobs she is officially required to perform and she is not paid for being the first lady. The first lady is often involved in political campaigns and managements of the White House and participate in social causes. They also represent the president at official and ceremonial occasions and accompany the president on foreign summits and events.

Office of the First Lady

The Office of the First Lady helps the first lady carry out her duties as the official hostess of the White House. She is also in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House. The first lady has her own staff that includes a chief of staff, press secretary, White House Social Secretary, and Chief Floral Designer. The Office of the First Lady is located in the East Wing of the White House.

Causes and initiatives

Since the 1920s, many first ladies have become public speakers, to promote public initiatives. A staff supports her agenda.

• Eleanor Roosevelt; Women's rights, civil rights, and humanitarian efforts
• Jacqueline Kennedy; White House restoration and the Arts
• Lady Bird Johnson; Environmental protection and beautification
• Pat Nixon; Philanthropy
• Betty Ford; Women's rights, Substance abuse
• Rosalynn Carter; Mental health
• Nancy Reagan; Just Say No, drug awareness
• Barbara Bush; Childhood literacy
• Hillary Clinton; Healthcare in the United States
• Laura Bush; Childhood literacy
• Michelle Obama; Let's Move!; reducing childhood obesity & Let Girls Learn; increasing education for girls
• Melania Trump; Be Best; cyberbullying awareness
• Jill Biden; Joining Forces; supporting military families and veterans

Fashion influence

Some first ladies have had an influential fashion style such as Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Mary Todd Lincoln, Edith Roosevelt, Grace Coolidge, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mamie Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, and Jill Biden.

List of living former first ladies

There are four living former first ladies.

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  Hillary Clinton
  1993–2001 – wife of Bill Clinton

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  Laura Bush
  2001–2009 – wife of George W. Bush

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  Michelle Obama
  2009–2017 – wife of Barack Obama

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  Jill Biden
  2021–2025 – wife of Joe Biden

List of first ladies

Main page: List of first ladies of the United States

First Lady Of The United States Media

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  Martha Washington, who was referred to as "Lady Washington" during her husband's presidency, c. 1825; the painting hangs at the National Portrait Gallery.

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  Dolley Madison is said to be the first wife of a president to be referred to as "First Lady" (at her funeral in 1849).

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  First Lady Barbara Bush, joined by Missouri governor John Ashcroft, with a "Parents as Teachers" group at the Greater St. Louis Ferguson-Florissant School District in October 1991. Mrs. Bush, who championed literacy as first lady, is reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear to the children.

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  First ladies (from left to right) Rosalynn Carter, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and first lady Laura Bush at the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center in 2004

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  First ladies (from left to right) Nancy Reagan, Lady Bird Johnson, Hillary Clinton, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, and Barbara Bush at the "National Garden Gala, A Tribute to America's First Ladies", May 11, 1994. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, absent due to illness, died 8 days after this photograph was taken.

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  Official portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy at the White House

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  First lady Melania Trump attending a "Be Best" rally with children