Martha Washington – First Lady

Martha Washington (c. 1792) was the original First Lady. She was a wealthy widow with two children when she married Washington in 1759 and moved with him to Mount Vernon. In the next forty years, George was away much of the time.

After his presidency, Washington retired to his Virginia home, only to be inundated with hundreds of well-wishers and the curious. The Washingtons felt obligated to feed these uninvited guests. To Martha's regret, Washington had turned down expenses and the flood nearly broke them financially. When the rush was over, Washington said he finally was able to dine alone with Martha, the first time in several years!