First Ladies of the United States: Emily Donelson

Simply by making an entirely social decision and sticking to it, Andrew Jackson’s First Lady Emily Donelson, niece of his late wife, managed to impact the political climate of his presidency and come into open conflict with him.

After losing his beloved wife, Rachel, Andrew Jackson asked Emily Donelson, Rachel's favorite niece, to serve as his White House hostess. Though only 21, Emily skillfully cared for her uncle, her husband, her four children (three born at the mansion), many visiting relatives, and official guests. Praised by contemporaries for her wonderful tact, she had the courage to differ with the president on issues of principle. Frail throughout her lifetime, Emily died of tuberculosis in 1836.

Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, is unique in presidential history in that he had more than one First Lady. He had three, in fact. Here are the stories of Rachel Donelson Jackson, Emily Donelson, and Sarah Yorke Jackson... all of the First Ladies who served in Jackson’s White House.