First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884 in New York City to Anna Hall and Elliot Roosevelt. Her mother died in 1892 and her father died two years later. She attended Allenswood School in England. For a while she worked as a political helpmate in the women's division of the State Democratic Committee. She also spent time teaching working classes at a New York City settlement house. TOP

Eleanor first met the future President Franklin Roosevelt while they were at a Christmas party given by another cousin. Franklin was dancing with all of the popular girls when he saw Eleanor standing by herself, so he asked her to dance. After their courtship, they were married on March 17, 1905 at a cousin's house in New York City. In 1906 their first daughter Anna was born. In 1907 their second child James was born. In 1909 Franklin Jr. was born. In 1910 Elliot was born. In 1914 the 2nd Franklin Jr. was born. In 1916 John was born.TOP

Franklin Roosevelt was elected as the 32nd President of the United States in 1932. During their years in the White House, she helped organize the Navy Red Cross, served in Red Cross canteens, and ran the knitting program at the Navy Department. She established programs for the needy and wrote a daily newspaper column. established programs for the needy and wrote a daily newspaper column. TOP

After their term in office ended, she returned to a cottage at Franklin's Hyde Park Estate. She died on November 7, 1962 and was buried next to her husband at Hyde Park.TOP