Secrets & Scandals Of America’s First Ladies

Rachel Jackson’s Romantic History Questioned

Before she was married to Andrew Jackson, Rachel married Lewis Robards when she was 18 years old. Their marriage wasn’t very strong, and Robards claimed that after some time away from their home, he returned to find Rachel flirting and in a close relationship with Andrew Jackson, who was a circuit lawyer at the time. Rachel claimed that Robards physically abused her, hence the reason that she sought divorce. However, Rachel Jackson never actually served as First Lady, since she died of an assumed heart attack days after Andrew Jackson was elected and before he was inaugurated. As a result, Rachel’s niece, Emily Donelson, served as First Lady.