Bess Truman
Even though it was tough to follow in the footsteps of the revered Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Truman didn’t appreciate the publicity and politics of being the first Lady. She worked as her husband’s secretary and assistant behind the scenes and contributed to writing his speeches.
Margaret, their only child, was born in 1924, and she was her primary caregiver. Bess decided to rebuild and restore the White House rather than demolish the current structure and start over, which would have been the most cost-effective option when it became clear that the White House needed extensive repairs in 1949. Unlike her predecessors, she did not meet with female reporters.
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