Secrets & Scandals Of America’s First Ladies

Martha Washington

The very first First Lady even had her brush with scandal in 1759. George Washington might have been America’s first president, but he was not Martha’s first love. Prior to President Washington, Martha had been married to a wealthy Williamsburg plantation heir named Daniel Parke Custis. He was scandalously 20 years older than her. Martha and Daniel’s short marriage was burdened by the antics of Custis’ unreasonable father-in-law, John Custis IV, whom Martha absolutely hated. Daniel died seven years into their brief marriage. Shortly after he died, she paid a not-so-friendly visit to the Williamsburg mansion on the plantation. She had some interesting plans.