The 8 most influential first ladies in the world: How they were remembered and in what they surpassed their presidential husbands

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Being the wife of a head of state is not an easy job, and many of those whose husbands become presidents are not ready to be in full view all the time. But for some, the achievement of a high position by a spouse is a matter of honor. Already during the election campaign, the candidate and his other half act as a united front, and after the victory they again stand shoulder to shoulder in the political arena. We offer today to recall the most influential and brilliant first ladies in history.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Her influence on Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his career is almost impossible to overestimate. During all four terms, when her husband served as President of the United States, she actively used her position to promote many reforms initiated by her husband, and drew attention to social problems. In 1939, she even surpassed her husband in popularity: 67% of Americans rated her activities positively, while Franklin Delano Roosevelt was given the same rating by 58% of those surveyed. Activity and professionalism in solving many issues allowed her to take the post of US Secretary of Defense in 1941, during the Second World War.

Eva Peron

The second wife of the 39th and 41st President of Argentina, Juan Perona, helped her husband gain popularity among the working class and get the votes of ordinary people, "shirtless", as they began to call the working class thanks to her. It was thanks to Eva Peron that the adoption of the law on women's suffrage was accelerated, and also schools, hospitals and orphanages began to be funded. She did not hold any official posts, but she personally received citizens in the Ministry of Labor, in fact, providing communication between the workers and the president, and provided assistance to those in need. She was called the most important pillar of the Peronist regime. Only the opposition of the army leadership did not allow Eva Peron to take the post of vice-president in 1951, but shortly before her death from cancer in 1952 she was awarded the title of "Spiritual Leader of the Nation."

Betty Ford

The wife of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford, is still called the country's most sincere first lady. She and her husband were openly showing their feelings in public and were very open. Betty Ford not only supported her husband's activities, she herself took an active position. With experience in the fight against breast cancer, the first lady of the United States spoke openly about her illness and conducted campaigns to prevent this disease, which saved the lives of many women. She did not hesitate to voice her point of view on controversial issues and actively advocated equal rights for men and women, including with regard to pay and gun ownership. After Gerald Ford left the presidency, his wife founded the Foundation, giving him her own name. The main goal of the foundation was the fight against alcoholism and drug addiction, from which she herself suffered. The name Betty Ford is immortalized in the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, she was awarded the Gold Medal by Congress in 1999, and eight years earlier she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush.

Michelle Obama

The wife of Barack Obama in the American press was honored with comparisons with Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana. She took the most active part in social and political life, made speeches, enjoyed tremendous authority, and in 2010, according to Forbes magazine, she topped the list of the most influential women in the world. She spoke at the Democratic Party conventions and addressed childhood obesity issues, calling on society to help her in this. And in 2019 she took the third line in the ranking of the highest paid writers thanks to her published memoir entitled "Becoming".

Brigitte Macron

She successfully helped Emmanuel Macron during the election campaign, and after he took over as president, she renounced the status of "first lady", asking to call her simply the wife of the head of state. Brigitte's request was supported by 275 thousand French citizens who signed the corresponding petition. Nevertheless, in the status of the wife of the President of France, Brigitte Macron is actively involved in charity work and constantly accompanies her spouse during diplomatic meetings and visits.

Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau

The wife of the current Prime Minister of Canada not only supports her husband, but she herself takes an active position. She has been involved in charity work for a long time and provides assistance to those in need, paying special attention to the problems of women. Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau's area of interest is domestic violence and women's self-esteem. Sophie herself suffered from bulimia as a teenager, and now seeks to help those who are familiar with this disease firsthand.

Dorrit Musaeff

The first lady of Iceland from 2003 to 2016 was a prominent figure even before she became the wife of the country's president. A famous business woman, Israeli jewelry designer, editor of the British magazine Tatler, she has always taken an active life position. Becoming the wife of Olafur Ragnar Grimsson on May 14, 2003, Dorrit became involved in promoting Iceland's cultural heritage by supporting artists and artists and identifying overseas markets for Icelandic products. Dorrit Musaeff was also active in helping disabled children.

Raisa Gorbacheva

The wife of the first and only president of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, was repeatedly criticized at home, but she created a precedent by taking up active social activities and accompanying her husband on trips. She regularly appeared on television and took part in diplomatic receptions. Abroad, Raisa Maksimovna's activities were highly appreciated, she became the owner of many international awards. In the Soviet Union, she not only supported her husband in his endeavors, but also took part in the work of foundations and public organizations dealing with children's health problems, including patronizing the Central Children's Hospital in Moscow.

The wife of the current President of the United States, Jill Biden, also has every chance of getting into the list of the most influential first ladies. The history of dating and long life together Jill and Joe Biden looks quite romantic and innocent, but Jill's first husband claims that the spouses have been deceiving the whole world for many years.