 |
Florence Kling DeWolfe Harding
Date of Birth: August 15, 1860
Date of Death: November 21, 1924 [64]
Married: July 8, 1891 - Warren
Harding
Children: 1 |
 |
- As a divorcee with a young son, Florence
DeWolfe, 29, married the dashing Warren Harding
- He affectionately named her "Dutchess,"
and together they operated the Marion Star newspaper in their
native Marion, Ohio
- It was her influence that led Warren
to seek public office, and eventually the presidency
- Innuendoes of his wayward sex life,
coupled with her own emotional instability, led to an interesting
tenure as First Lady
- They openly argued about his infidelity
at one moment, and at the next she was serving drinks at his
three-times-a-week poker games
- She carried a red "grudge book"
and kept notations on those who made adverse comments about her
or the president
- She personally lobbied to kill a bill
to permit construction of a vice presidential residence
- She often influenced her husband's
choice for cabinet positions At the first open house she shook
so many hands in the receiving line that her right glove had
to cut off due to swelling
- As First Lady she began the tradition
of afternoon teas on the South Lawn for servicemen wounded in
the line of duty; the annual event continues today from the Red
Room.
- As First Lady she was diagnosed with
nephrites, a kidney blockage, and refused medical attention opting
for natural healing
|
|
|