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Elizabeth "Bess" Wallace Truman
Date of Birth: February 13, 1885
Date of Death: October 18, 1982 [97]
Married: June 28, 1919 -
Harry Truman
Children: 1

  • Harry Truman and Bess Wallace lived two blocks apart in Independence, Missouri.
  • They attended the same church and went to the same school where Harry claimed he fell in love with her at age six
  • Harry often called her "The boss" and referred to his daughter Margaret as "The boss who bosses the boss"
  • The Truman's were nicknamed "The Three Musketeers" by the White House staff
  • Bess insisted the White House satff take periodic breaks, and ordered the maids to take Sunday's off to be
    with their families
  • She often turned down the beds herself, and helped with the everyday cleaning and laundry
  • Upon her first inspection of the White House she ordered Bon-Ami added to the shopping list
  • She gave the staff and guests Harry's old clothing, and was always ready with a homemade cold remedy for anyone
    with the sniffles
  • When asked if she would continue the press conferences like her predecessor Eleanor Roosevelt, she told reporters that any questions concerning the country should be directed to the president