Nellie Connally
| Nellie Connally | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Texas | |
|
In office January 15, 1963 – January 21, 1969 |
|
| Governor | John Connally |
| Preceded by | Jean Daniel |
| Succeeded by | Ima Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Idanell Brill February 24, 1919 Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 2006 (aged 87) Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Texas State Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | John Connally (m. 1940; d. 1993) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Texas |
Idanell "Nellie" Brill Connally (February 24, 1919 – September 1, 2006) was the First Lady of Texas from 1963 to 1969. She was the wife of John Connally, who served as Governor of Texas and later as Secretary of the Treasury.
She and her husband were passengers in the Presidential limousine carrying President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
Connally was born in Austin, Texas, the eldest of five children of Kathleen Annie (née Inks) and Arno W. Brill. She attended the University of Texas where she was named "Sweetheart of the University" in 1938. Connally initially had aspirations to become an actress but gave up those plans after meeting her future husband, John Connally, while attending UT in 1937. The two married in 1940.
John Connally began his career in politics working for then Congressman (and future United States President) Lyndon B. Johnson. John Connally was elected Governor of Texas in 1962. He was subsequently re-elected for two additional terms.
During her tenure as First Lady, Connally created the gardens at the Texas Governor's Mansion and also collected the state silver.
On November 22, 1963, Connally and her husband were riding in the presidential limousine that carried President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. While riding in the car with President Kennedy, Connally told President Kennedy, "Mr. President, you can't say Dallas doesn't love you." Within a few seconds, she heard the first of what she later concluded were three gunshots in quick succession.
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