9 American First Ladies Who Weren’t Married to the President

7. Mary Arthur McElroy

One of American less popular first ladies, Mary Arthur McElroy took over as the White House hostess in 1881 after her widower brother Chester Alan Arthur was elevated to the presidency upon the assassination of James A. Garfield.

Although admitting that she was “completely unfamiliar with the formalities and customs” of the White House following her arrival, the mother of four ultimately settled into her new role and became known for her weekly open-house dinner receptions and New Year’s galas.

In planning several of her larger events, she asked former first ladies Harriet Lane and Julia Tyler to serve as co-hostesses.