Bess Truman
| Bess Truman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| First Lady of the United States | |
|
In role April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953 |
|
| President | Harry Truman |
| Preceded by | Eleanor Roosevelt |
| Succeeded by | Mamie Eisenhower |
| Second Lady of the United States | |
|
In role January 20, 1945 – April 12, 1945 |
|
| President | Franklin Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Ilo Wallace |
| Succeeded by | Jane Barkley (1949) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elizabeth Virginia Wallace February 13, 1885 Independence, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 1982 (aged 97) Independence, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Harry Truman (m. 1919–1972; his death) |
| Children | Margaret |
| Religion | Episcopalianism |
| Signature |  |
Elizabeth Virginia "Bess" Truman (née Wallace; February 13, 1885 – October 18, 1982) was the wife of U.S. President Harry S. Truman and First Lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953.
She had known her future husband since they were children attending the same school in Independence, Missouri. As First Lady, she did not enjoy the social and political scene in Washington, and at the end of her husband's term in 1953, she was relieved to return to Independence. She currently holds the record of longest-lived First Lady, at 97 years and 8 months. She died in Independence, Missouri.
Bess Truman was born Elizabeth Virginia Wallace on February 13, 1885, to David Willock Wallace (1860–1903) and his wife, the former Margaret Elizabeth Gates (1862–1952), in Independence, Missouri, and was known as Bessie during her childhood. She was the eldest of four; three brothers: Frank Gates Wallace, (March 4, 1887 – August 12, 1960), George Porterfield Wallace, (May 1, 1892 – May 24, 1963), David Frederick Wallace, (January 7, 1900 – September 30, 1957). Bess had a reputation as a tomboy as a child. As a young woman, Bess enjoyed to express herself through her fashion and hats; a friend was quoted "Bess always had more stylish hats than the rest of us did, or she wore them with more style."
Harry Truman met Bess soon after his family moved to Independence, and the two attended school together until graduation.
After graduating from William Chrisman High School (then known as Independence High School) she studied at Miss Barstow's Finishing School for Girls in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1903 her father got up very early one morning, climbed into the family bathtub and committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. According to biographer David McCullough, the cause for his suicide is unknown, with speculation ranging from depression to mounting debts.
Bess and Harry Truman married in 1919 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Independence. Harry courted Bess before he went off to fight during World War I; he proposed in 1911, but she turned him down. Truman later said that he intended to propose again, but when he did he wanted to be earning more money than a farmer did. Their only daughter, Margaret, was born in 1924.
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