Helen Taft
When she was 18, she met her husband Howard Taft while bobsledding. After meeting and dating in 1860, they married many years later. Since childhood, she has chosen the name Nellie over Helen. She supported her husband at every stage of his political career. She was the first First Lady to ride in the inaugural procession with her husband. She was dressed in a stunning white chiffon gown with gold embroidery.
Helen Taft
Edith Bolling Wilson
Edith Wilson met and married President Woodrow Wilson after he was already in office, so she never had the opportunity to wear an inaugural gown. Edith’s life had been marred by tragedy since she left a widow at an early age by her first husband. She had also given birth to a son, who died a few days later. Regrettably, she was no longer able to bear children. She met Woodrow in 1915. Soon after, he became a widower as well.
Edith Bolling Wilson
