Secrets & Scandals Of America’s First Ladies

My Uncle, the President, is Gay

Why didn’t Buchanan ever get married? He lived in a time when marriage was not just expected of him, it was almost a requirement. But he was perfectly happy living with William Rufus King, who was called “Miss Nancy” by Andrew Jackson. It is possible their live-in relationship was strictly platonic but looking back, it’s pretty unlikely, and it is safe to assume that Lane knew all about her uncle’s relationship back then. Although many people knew that Harriet was Buchanan’s niece, she was still revered as one of the most popular and fashionable First Ladies of the White House.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was an iconic first lady (1933-1945) for more reasons than one. After being hurt by her husband’s infidelity (and before he contracted polio), she had a secret affair with a female journalist named Lorena Hickok. Roosevelt met Hickok after the latter was assigned to interview the former in 1928 by the Associated Press. Four years later, Kickok convinced her editors to allow her to cover Ealanor during her husband’s presidential campaign. She felt overwhelmed by the impending responsibility of assuming the duties of occupying the White House and didn’t know what to do so she sought out some understanding.