"She brought youth, elegance, and celebration back to the White House."

Born: May 4, 1820 (Gardiner's Island, New York, USA)
Died: July 10, 1889 (Richmond, Virginia, USA)
Years as First Lady: 1844–1845

Now we have a second First Lady during John Tyler's term.  Isn't it interesting that we've had more First Ladies than Presidents? 

Less than 2 years after the death of his wife, President Tyler married Julia Gardiner. She brought a different style to the White House than her predecessor. Young, fashionable, and socially confident, she revitalized presidential entertaining during the final months of John Tyler's administration.

Born into a wealthy and prominent New York family, Julia Gardiner enjoyed an upbringing filled with education, travel, and social opportunities. At just twenty-four years old, she married President John Tyler on June 26, 1844, becoming the first woman ever to marry a sitting president.

The marriage attracted tremendous public attention. Tyler was 54 years old and a widower, while Julia was thirty years younger. Newspapers across the country eagerly reported details of the wedding and the new First Lady.

Julia embraced her public role with enthusiasm. She hosted elegant receptions, expanded White House social events, and brought a sense of glamour and ceremony to official entertaining. She encouraged the use of music at presidential appearances and is often credited with helping popularize the playing of "Hail to the Chief" as a ceremonial tribute to the president.

Her youthful energy transformed the social atmosphere of the Tyler White House. Guests were impressed by her beauty, confidence, and ability to navigate Washington society despite her relatively short tenure.

After John Tyler left office in 1845, the couple retired to Virginia, where they raised their children. John Tyler and Julia Gardiner Tyler had seven children together, making Julia the mother of nearly half of John Tyler's remarkable total of 15 children, the most of any U.S. president.

Julia remained loyal to her husband's legacy and worked to preserve his historical reputation.

Although she served as First Lady for less than a year, Julia Gardiner Tyler left an impact through her style, pageantry, and modernization of White House social traditions.

Fun Fact: She was the first woman to marry a sitting president

Fun Fact #2: At age 24, she was one of the youngest official First Ladies in American history. 

Fun Fact #3: There was a 30-year age difference between Julia and President Tyler.

Fun Fact #4:  At age 24, Julia Gardiner Tyler became First Lady and stepmother to eight children, including two who were older than she was. Later, as she and President Tyler added seven more children to the family, some of Julia's own children were younger than many of her step-grandchildren, making the Tyler family one of the most unusual in White House history.