Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Honorary title of the wife of a president or head of state}} {{About|the unofficial title for the spouses or partners of elected heads of state||First Lady (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}} [[File:First Ladies 2008.jpg|thumb|right|A group of first ladies assemble in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] in [[New York City]], September 22, 2008]] [[File:Michelle Obama and the spouses of the G20 leaders.jpg|thumb|right|First ladies in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], September 25, 2009]] '''First lady''' is an unofficial title usually used for the wife, crapping and occasionally used for the daughter or other female relative, for reproductive of a non-[[monarchy|monarchical]] [[head of state]] or [[chief executive]].<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20lady ''First Lady'', Merriam-Webster Dictionary], retrieved December 30, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/First-Lady ''First Lady'', Oxford Dictionaries], retrieved December 30, 2014</ref><ref>Amanda Foreman, "Our First Ladies and Their Predecessors", ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', May 30–31, 2015, C11, https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-first-ladies-and-their-predecessors-1432830990, retrieved May 30, 2015</ref> The term is also used to describe a woman seen to be at the top of her profession or art.<ref>[http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/first-lady ''First Lady'', Collins English Dictionary], retrieved December 30, 2014</ref> GYJTGYGYYHIUTFFghyugsuhuxjuihjudiujhkgdijfkrtnjfdkerdfk The title has also been used for the wife of a head of government who is not also head of state.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGuirk |first1=Rod |title=Australian first lady 'flattered' by 'delicious' description |url=https://apnews.com/article/a60ddf8ed23e4f0dae7f9b943cc5878b |access-date=September 20, 2021 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref name="visentin20180826">{{Cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jenny-morrison-australia-s-new-first-lady-20180825-p4zzr2.html |title=Jenny Morrison, Australia's new first lady |last=Visentin |first=Lisa |date=August 26, 2018 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=September 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/incoming/step-forward-fionnuala-taoiseachs-wife-and-his-perfect-partner-as-he-runs-country-27980889.html|title=Step forward Fionnuala -- Taoiseach's wife and his perfect partner as he runs country - Herald.ie}}</ref><ref name="SGFirstLady">{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Yijun |title=【第一配偶】最會賺錢第一夫人：何晶將從新加坡淡馬錫退休 年薪至今仍是謎|trans-title='First Spouse'- The most moneymaking First Lady: Ho Ching set to retire from Temasek (Holdings). Her annual salary is still a mystery |url=https://vip.udn.com/vip/story/121937/5728782 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |work=[[United Daily News]] |date=September 19, 2021 |language=zh-tw}}</ref> It has also been used to refer to the wives of the leaders of [[administrative division]]s within a country.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Governor |url=https://evers.wi.gov/Pages/About/About_Tony.aspx |website=Governor [[Tony Evers]] |publisher=Government of Wisconsin |access-date=September 27, 2021}}</ref> ==History== {{main|First Lady of the United States}} It has been noted that the earliest use of the term "first lady" is in reference to women of a high ranking or outstanding women in their field,<ref name="MerriamWebsterFirstLady">{{cite web |title=The Story Behind 'First Lady' |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/first-lady-flotus-history-usage |website=[[Merriam-Webster]] |access-date=September 24, 2021}}</ref> and that the term, as used to describe the female spouse of the [[president of the United States]], saw its first documented use in 1838 in reference to [[Martha Washington]], who was never referred to as such during [[George Washington]]'s time as president.<ref name="MerriamWebsterFirstLady"/> The first person to have been referred to as "first lady" on a regular basis during her time in the position was [[Harriet Lane]], who was actually [[James Buchanan]]'s niece, as Buchanan was a lifelong bachelor.<ref name="MerriamWebsterFirstLady"/> ==Variations== [[File:Queen Mathilde with NATO spouses 2017.jpg|thumb|[[Queen Mathilde of Belgium]] meeting with the first ladies and first gentlemen of NATO members at the [[Palace of Laeken|Royal Castle of Laeken]] on May 25, 2017.]] The male equivalent of the title in countries where the head of state's spouse has been a man, such as the [[Philippines]] or [[Malta]], is '''first gentleman'''. While there has never been a male spouse of a U.S. president, "[[List of first gentlemen in the United States|first gentleman]]" is used in the United States for the male spouse of a [[mayor]] or [[Governor (United States)|governor]]. '''First spouse''' and '''first partner''', both rare variations of the title, can be used in either case where the spouse of a political leader is of any gender. This term is used to promote [[gender equality]] and [[gender neutrality]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Steinmetz |first1=Katy |title=Wives of Political Leaders Have Long Been Called 'First Ladies.' California's Jennifer Siebel Newsom Has Other Plans |url=https://time.com/5499825/newsom-first-partner-first-lady/ |access-date=October 17, 2021 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> In the United States, collectively, the president of the United States and his spouse are known as the ''first couple''<ref>[http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/first-couple Collins English Dictionary definition]. Retrieved December 8, 2013</ref> and, if they have children, they are usually referred to as the ''[[First Family|first family]]''. ==Use in non-English speaking countries== [[French language|French]]-speaking [[Francophone|countries]] have used the term ''première dame'' for first ladies,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Innocenti |first1=Maeliss |title=Photo – Brigitte Macron étincelante en rose pour sa visite officielle à Athènes|trans-title=PHOTO - Brigitte Macron sparkling in pink for her official visit to Athens |url=https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/photo-brigitte-macron-etincelante-en-rose-pour-sa-visite-officielle-a-athenes_476669 |website=[[Gala (magazine)|Gala]] |access-date=September 27, 2021 |quote=La première dame a accompagné le président pour son déplacement en Grèce. (The first lady accompanied the president on his trip to Greece.)}}</ref> regardless of where the first lady is from.<ref>{{cite news |title=La première dame critiquée pour s'être fait vacciner aux États-Unis|trans-title=First lady criticized for getting vaccinated in the United States |url=https://www.tdg.ch/la-premiere-dame-critiquee-pour-setre-fait-vacciner-aux-etats-unis-334073861497 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |work=[[Tribune de Genève]] |date=September 25, 2021 |language=fr}}</ref> At least one article, published in 2017, used the term ''premier monsieur'' for first gentleman. For that particular article, it was used to discuss the possibility of [[Louis Aliot]] becoming first gentleman, should his spouse, [[Marine Le Pen]], win that year's [[2017 French presidential election|presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Première Dame ou Premier Monsieur?|trans-title=First Lady or First Gentleman? |url=https://www.magcentre.fr/128066-premiere-dame-ou-premier-monsieur/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Magcentre |date=May 5, 2017 |language=fr}}</ref> [[Emmanuel Macron]] defeated Le Pen in that year's election. [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]-speaking [[Lusophone|countries]] have used the term ''primeira-dama''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Máximo |first1=Wellton |title=Exame de primeira-dama para covid-19 dá negativo|trans-title=The First Lady tests negative for COVID-19 |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/politica/noticia/2020-08/exame-de-primeira-dama-para-covid-19-da-negativo |access-date=September 20, 2021 |agency=[[Agência Brasil]] |date=August 16, 2020 |language=pt-br}}</ref> or "Primeira Dama"<ref>{{cite web |title=Gabinete da Primeira Dama|trans-title=Office of the First Lady |url=https://www.presidencia.gov.mz/por/Presidencia/Gabinete-da-Primeira-Dama |website=President of Mozambique |access-date=September 27, 2021 |language=pt}}</ref> for first ladies. The term is used regardless of where the person is from.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Máximo |first1=Wellton |title=Obama e Michelle: Nancy Reagan "redefiniu o papel de primeira-dama"|trans-title=Obama and Michelle: Nancy Reagan "redefined the role of first lady" |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/internacional/noticia/2016-03/barack-e-michelle-obama-nancy-reagan-redefiniu-o-papel-de-primeira |access-date=September 20, 2021 |agency=[[Agência Brasil]] |date=March 6, 2016 |language=pt-br}}</ref> The term ''primeiro-cavalheiro'' is used for first gentlemen.<ref>{{cite news |title=primeiro-cavalheiro |url=https://estraviz.org/primeiro-cavalheiro |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Dicionário Estraviz |language=pt}}</ref> In [[Spanish language|Spanish]]-speaking [[Hispanophone|countries]], the term ''primera dama'' is used for first ladies,<ref name=colombia>{{cite web|url=http://wsp.presidencia.gov.co/Prensa/2010/Octubre/Paginas/20101001_15.aspx|title='He asumido mi compromiso con la niñez de Colombia con toda la disposición de mi corazón', afirma la Primera Dama|first=Design by Paul Andres Gomez|last=M.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rivas Molina |first1=Federico |title=La foto de cumpleaños de la primera dama argentina pone a prueba la fortaleza electoral del peronismo |trans-title= The birthday photo of the first lady of Argentina tests the electoral strength of Peronism |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-08-16/la-foto-de-cumpleanos-de-la-primera-dama-argentina-pone-a-prueba-la-fortaleza-electoral-del-peronismo.html |access-date=September 20, 2021 |work=[[El País]] |date=August 15, 2021 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Primera Dama de la República de Panamá|trans-title=First Lady of the Republic of Panama |url=https://www.despachoprimeradama.gob.pa/Primera-Dama |website=Office of the First Lady |publisher=Government of Panama |access-date=September 27, 2021 |language=es}}</ref> regardless of the country the person is from.<ref>{{cite news |title=La primera dama de Haití continúa viva y recibe atención hospitalaria|trans-title=The first lady of Haiti is still alive and receiving hospital care |url=https://www.ultimahora.com/la-primera-dama-haiti-continua-viva-y-recibe-atencion-hospitalaria-n2949880.html |access-date=September 27, 2021 |work=[[Última Hora (Paraguay)|Última Hora]] |date=July 7, 2021 |location=[[Paraguay]] |language=es}}</ref> The term ''primer caballero'' has been used for first gentlemen.<ref>{{cite news |title=Néstor Kirchner: el 'primer caballero' sigue misterioso |trans-title= Nestor Kirchner: the 'first gentleman' is still mysterious |url=https://www.cronista.com/economia/Nestor-Kirchner-el-primer-caballero-sigue-misterioso-20090507-0131.html |access-date=September 20, 2021 |work=[[El Cronista]] |date=May 7, 2009 |language=es}}</ref> [[Sinophone]] countries have used the term 第一夫人 (''dìyī fūrén'') as a term for first ladies,<ref name="SGFirstLady"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Li |first1=Ciyin |title=「永遠的第一夫人」逝世17週年 宋美齡晚年這樣過|trans-title='Eternal First Lady' passed away 17 years ago: how Soong Mei-Ling spent her twilight years |url=https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20201024001532-260407?chdtv |website=[[China Times]] |access-date=September 27, 2021 |language=zh-tw |date=October 24, 2020}}</ref> also without regards as to where the first lady is from.<ref>{{cite news |title=巴西第一夫人來美接種疫苗 國內狂批「假愛國」|trans-title=Brazil's First Lady went to the U.S. to get vaccinated. People within Brazil criticized her as a 'fake patriot' |url=https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121488/5772442 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |work=[[World Journal]] |date=September 26, 2021 |language=zh-tw}}</ref> ===Europe=== ====Croatia==== The terms ''supruga predsjednika republike'' (wife of the president of the republic) or ''suprug predsjednice republike'' (husband of the president of the republic) are most commonly used in Croatia, while the terms ''prva dama'' (first lady) and ''prvi gospodin'' (first gentleman) are rarely used, except by foreign sources. The current wife of the [[president of Croatia]] is [[Sanja Musić-Milanović]]. The wife of the prime minister has occasionally, in exceptionally rare cases, also been referred to as the "first lady" of Croatia, however as the spouses of prime ministers have often maintained a low profile and have almost never been public figures, the title ''supruga predsjednika vlade'' (wife of the prime minister) has been used in cases when such a reference is needed. The current wife of the prime minister is [[Ana Maslać Plenković]]. ====Czech Republic==== The term ''první dáma'' is used for wife of the [[president of the Czech Republic]].{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} The current first lady is [[Ivana Zemanová]]. The term ''první dáma'' is also used for first ladies of other countries.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ulrychová |first1=Tereza |title=První dáma je zpátky před tabulí. Bidenová navzdory tradicím dál pracuje |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/prvni-dama-zpatky-pred-tabuli-bidenova-navzdory-tradicim-dal-pracuje-174126 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |work=Seznam Zprávy |date=September 7, 2021 |language=cs}}</ref> ====Poland==== The term ''pierwsza dama'' (literal meaning: "first lady") is used by the wife of the current [[president of Poland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prezydent.pl/pierwsza-dama/|title=Oficjalna strona Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej / Pierwsza Dama / Aktywność Pierwszej Damy|first=ideo -|last=www.ideo.pl}}</ref> The title ''pani prezydentowa'' (the presidential lady) is also commonly, though informally, used. ====Russia==== Foreign press reports have referred to the wife of the [[President of Russia|Russian president]] as first lady.<ref name="SovietFirstLadies">{{cite news |last1=Kondratyev |first1=Andrey |title=Putins' divorce throws spotlight on 'first lady' role |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-22093625 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |work=[[BBC Monitoring]] |date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> The term has also been used by foreign press to refer to the wife of [[Alexei Navalny]], Yulia Navalnaya.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ioffe |first1=Julia |title="These Bastards Will Never See Our Tears": How Yulia Navalnaya Became Russia's Real First Lady |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/07/how-yulia-navalnaya-became-russias-real-first-lady |access-date=September 24, 2021 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=July 8, 2021}}</ref> Russian first ladies have been less visible than their western counterparts due to historical reasons, as explained below.<ref name="SovietFirstLadies"/> =====Soviet Union===== It has been noted that [[List of leaders of the Soviet Union|Soviet leaders]] generally preferred to keep their wives and families out of the spotlight, resulting in "invisible first ladies". As a result, low-profile first ladies remain common in post-Soviet countries, due to the leaders of those countries having grown up during the Soviet era.<ref name="SovietFirstLadies"/> The wife of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], [[Raisa Gorbachev]], has been referred to as a Soviet first lady.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=J.Y. |title=Raisa Gorbachev, Last Soviet First Lady, Dies |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/daily/sept99/gorbachev21.htm |access-date=September 24, 2021 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=September 21, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bohlen |first1=Celestine |title=Raisa Gorbachev, the Chic Soviet First Lady of the Glasnost Era, Is Dead at 67 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/21/world/raisa-gorbachev-the-chic-soviet-first-lady-of-the-glasnost-era-is-dead-at-67.html |access-date=September 24, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 21, 1999}}</ref> ===Ukraine=== The wife of the country's [[President of Ukraine|president]] has been referred to as перша леді (''persha ledi'') by the country's government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Олена Зеленська у Стенфордському університеті обговорила питання інклюзії, забезпечення рівного доступу та потреб студентів і викладачів з інвалідністю|trans-title=Olena Zelenska at Stanford University discusses inclusion, equal access and the needs of students and teachers with disabilities |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/news/olena-zelenska-u-stenfordskomu-universiteti-obgovorila-pitan-70537 |publisher=President of Ukraine |access-date=September 22, 2021 |language=uk}}</ref> The term "first lady" has also been used by the government in English language news releases.<ref name="UkraineFirstLady">{{cite web |title=Olena Zelenska at Stanford University discusses issues of inclusive activity, equal access, needs of students and teachers with disabilities |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/olena-zelenska-u-stenfordskomu-universiteti-obgovorila-pitan-70537 |publisher=President of Ukraine |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref> While some first ladies, like Marina Poroshenko<ref name="Poroshenko1">{{cite web |url=x/en/news/marina-poroshenko-riven-inklyuziyi-v-osviti-pokaznik-stupeny-36072|title= Maryna Poroshenko: The level of inclusion in education is an indicator of the state development degree |access-date=November 15, 2017 |publisher= President of Ukraine}}</ref><ref name="Poroshenko2">{{cite web |url=http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/marina-poroshenko-ta-roman-kislyak-zustrilisya-u-stolichnomu-36788|title= Maryna Poroshenko and Roman Kysliak met in the coffeehouse in the framework of #накавуздругом social initiative |access-date=November 15, 2017 |publisher= President of Ukraine}}</ref> and [[Olena Zelenska]],<ref name="UkraineFirstLady"/> have played a role in social activism, other first ladies, like Lyudmila Yanukovych, have rarely taken part in public roles.<ref name="SovietFirstLadies"/> ===Asia=== ====Armenia==== The wife of the [[president of Armenia]] has been referred to as "Հայաստանի Առաջին տիկին" (''Hayastani Arrajin tikin'').<ref>{{cite web |title=Ռիտա Սարգսյան Հայաստանի Առաջին տիկին|trans-title=Rita Sargsyan The First Lady of Armenia |url=https://www.president.am/hy/rita-sargsyan/ |website=President of Armenia |access-date=September 22, 2021 |language=hy}}</ref> The term "first lady" has also been used.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rita Sargsyan First Lady of Armenia |url=https://www.president.am/en/rita-sargsyan/ |website=President of Armenia |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref> The spouse of the current president, however, is only referred to as "հանրապետության նախագահի տիկին" (''hanrapetut'yan nakhagahi tikin''),<ref>{{cite web |title=Նունե Սարգսյան Հանրապետության նախագահի տիկին |url=https://www.president.am/hy/Nouneh-Sarkissian-bio/ |website=President of Armenia |access-date=September 24, 2021 |language=hy}}</ref> or "wife of the president of Armenia".<ref>{{cite web |title=Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian - Wife of the President of Armenia |url=https://www.president.am/en/Nouneh-Sarkissian-bio/ |website=President of Armenia |access-date=September 24, 2021}}</ref> ====Azerbaijan==== The wife of the current [[president of Azerbaijan]] uses the term ''[[Mehriban Aliyeva|birinci xanım]]''.<ref>[http://www.mehriban-aliyeva.org/en/article/item/4 Mehriban Əliyeva<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330023531/http://mehriban-aliyeva.org/en/article/item/4 |date=March 30, 2015 }}</ref>{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} ====India==== {{Main|First ladies and gentlemen of India}} The term ''pratham mahila'' (प्रथम महिला, literally meaning "first lady") is less frequently used in [[India]]. The term might be used at times to refer to the wife of the [[president of India]] in newspapers; however, the more widespread term in general use is "wife of the president" or more informally as the president's wife/spouse/husband. the term "first lady" is not used to refer to the wife of the prime minister. Instead the term "first spouse" is used for the spouse of PM of India. ====Indonesia==== The term ''ibu negara'' (lady/mother of the state) is used for wife of the [[president of Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ibu Negara Iriana Jarang Tampak Dampingi Jokowi, Ini Penjelasan Istana|trans-title=First Lady Iriana Rarely Appears To Accompany Jokowi. This Is The Palace's Explanation |url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/16/17092611/ibu-negara-iriana-jarang-tampak-dampingi-jokowi-ini-penjelasan-istana |access-date=September 22, 2021 |work=[[Kompas]] |date=January 16, 2021 |language=id}}</ref> The term is also used to refer to first ladies of other countries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Foto resmi Melania Trump sebagai Ibu Negara, diluncurkan |trans-title=Melania Trump's official photo as First Lady, unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/majalah-39487791 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=April 4, 2017 |language=id}}</ref> ====Pakistan==== In Pakistan, the term خاتون اول (read as ''khatoon-e-awwal'') is commonly used for the wife of Mohammad, [[Khadija bint Khuwaylid|Khadija Bint Al-Khuwaylid]]. It has also been used for wife of the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister of Pakistan]]. It has also been used for wife of the [[president of Pakistan]]. ====Philippines==== The consort of the [[president of the Philippines]] bears the [[gender-neutral]] title of [[First Lady or Gentleman of the Philippines|first spouse]] ([[Filipino language|Filipino]]: ''unang kabiyák''), and among other duties, is host of [[Malacañan Palace]]. The title is genderless as many [[Languages of the Philippines|Philippine languages]] lack [[grammatical gender]], and because there have been presidential consorts of both sexes. When the official consort is female, she is known as "first lady" (''unang ginang''); the title has also been applied to an immediate female relative serving in this capacity for a widowed president. There has only been one first gentleman (''unang ginoó'') in history: [[Jose Miguel Arroyo|José Miguel Arroyo]], the husband of [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]], the [[List of presidents of the Philippines|14th president]], but always given title "excellency". ====South Korea==== The wife of the president is called ''yeong-bu-in'' (영부인/令夫人). ==Non-spousal uses== In some situations, the title is bestowed upon a non-spouse. ===Australia=== Following the [[Australian Labor Party leadership spill, 2010|leadership spill]] which installed [[Julia Gillard]] as the first female [[Prime Minister of Australia|prime minister of Australia]] on June 24, 2010, some [[news media]] referred to her [[Domestic partnership|partner]], [[Tim Mathieson]], as the "first [[bloke]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Tim Mathieson: why is Australia's 'first bloke' in the headlines? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/jan/29/tim-mathieson-australias-first-bloke |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=January 29, 2013}}</ref> The Australian Government has referred to Mathieson as Gillard's partner, and has also recognized him as a prime ministerial spouse.<ref>{{cite web |title=Julia Gillard's partner: Tim Mathieson |url=https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/australias-prime-ministers/julia-gillard/partner |website=[[National Archives of Australia]] |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> ===Bolivia=== [[Evo Morales]], the former president of [[Bolivia]], is single, so during his presidency his sister, [[Esther Morales]], fulfilled the role of first lady.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jecks |first1=Nikki |title=Bolivia's First Lady hopes for unity |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7894334.stm |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=February 17, 2009}}</ref> ===Ireland=== During the first half of [[Bertie Ahern]]'s term as [[Taoiseach]], he was separated from his wife Miriam (née Kelly) and the role of first lady was filled by his then domestic partner, [[Celia Larkin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/celia-the-greatest-political-wife-this-country-never-had-26318026.html|title=Celia -- the greatest political wife this country never had - Independent.ie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://irishecho.com/2011/02/ireland-debates-larkin-role-2/|title=Ireland debates Larkin role — Irish Echo|date=February 16, 2011}}</ref> ===Republic of Korea (South Korea)=== During the last five years of [[Park Chung-hee]]'s time as president, his daughter, [[Park Geun-hye]], served as first lady following her mother, [[Yuk Young-soo]]'s death.<ref>{{cite news |title=Park Geun-hye: South Korea's first female president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-20787271 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=April 6, 2018}}</ref> She has been regarded as a de facto first lady of South Korea by some modern sources.<ref>{{cite news |title=Park Geun Hye: Once South Korea's princess and de facto first lady, now dethroned in disgrace |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/park-geun-hye-once-south-koreas-princess-and-de-facto-first-lady-now-dethroned-in |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |date=March 10, 2017}}</ref> ===Peru=== [[Keiko Fujimori]] took over the duties of first lady at the age of 19, after her the divorce of her father [[Alberto Fujimori]] and mother [[Susana Higuchi]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Keiko Fujimori, daughter of Peru's disgraced ex-leader |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191130-keiko-fujimori-daughter-of-peru-s-disgraced-ex-leader |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[France 24]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> ===Philippines=== The title was officially bestowed on [[Victoria Quirino-Delgado]], the daughter of widower [[Elpidio Quirino]] (1948–1953), sixth president of the Philippines. Victoria's mother, Alicia Quirino née Syquía, had been killed by [[Japanese occupation of the Philippines|occupying Japanese troops]] towards the end of the [[Second World War]]. While President [[Corazon Aquino|Corazón Aquino]] (1986–1992) was also widowed, the title was not given to her older children who would assist her in official duties. These included her son (and later president) [[Benigno Aquino III]], who was a sort of ''de facto'' first gentleman; his four sisters, as under their mother's presidency, now unofficially share the duties of the first spouse. The current president, [[Rodrigo Duterte]]'s marriage was annulled, and his common-law wife is not qualified to take the title as they are not married yet. Instead, he named his daughter, [[Mayor of Davao City|Davao City Mayor]] [[Sara Duterte]], as first lady. ===United States=== [[Thomas Jefferson]] was a widower by the time he took office as [[President of the United States|president]], and his daughter, [[Martha Jefferson Randolph]], who served as the lady of the president's house on occasion,<ref name="MarthaJefferson">{{cite web |title=Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/martha-wayles-skelton-jefferson/ |website=[[The White House]] |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> has been recognized by the [[First Ladies National Historic Site]] as being a first lady,<ref name="non spousalusfirstladies">{{cite web |title=First Ladies |url=https://www.nps.gov/fila/learn/historyculture/first-ladies.htm |website=[[First Ladies National Historic Site]] |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> even though the White House website recognizes her mother, [[Martha Jefferson]], as first lady.<ref name="MarthaJefferson"/> While [[Dolley Madison]] also served as hostess and Jefferson's escort on occasion,<ref>{{cite web |title=First Lady Biography: Martha Jefferson |url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=3 |website=[[National First Ladies Library]] |access-date=September 17, 2021 |quote=whenever he had women dinner guests, he invited Dolley Madison (1768-1849), the wife of his highest-ranking Cabinet member, Secretary of State James Madison, as his escort, his vice president Aaron Burr also being a widower. At large open functions in the White House, Dolley Madison also assumed a public role as hostess, assisting the President in welcoming the general citizenry.}}</ref> she is recognized as a spousal first lady by way of her husband's presidency following Jefferson.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dolley Payne Todd Madison |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/dolley-payne-todd-madison/ |website=[[The White House]] |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> [[Andrew Jackson]]'s wife, [[Rachel Jackson]], died before Jackson's presidency. Jackson's niece, [[Emily Donelson]], carried out the duties of first lady until her death, and Jackson's daughter-in-law, [[Sarah Yorke Jackson|Sarah Jackson]], presided over the White House during the final months of Jackson's presidency.<ref name="RachelJackson">{{cite web |title=Rachel Donelson Jackson |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/rachel-donelson-jackson/ |website=[[The White House]] |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> Both are recognized by the [[First Ladies National Historic Site]] as being first ladies,<ref name="non spousalusfirstladies"/> despite the White House website recognizing Jackson's wife as first lady.<ref name="RachelJackson"/> [[James Buchanan]] was a lifelong bachelor. During his time in office, his niece, [[Harriet Lane]], served as "hostess". She is recognized as having acted in the capacity of a contemporary first lady during her uncle's time in office, and is listed among other spousal first ladies on the [[White House]] website.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harriet Lane |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/harriet-lane/ |website=[[White House]] |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> ====Colorado==== [[Jared Polis]], who was elected as [[Governor of Colorado|governor]] in 2018, is openly gay,<ref>{{cite news |title=Jared Polis to become Colorado's first openly gay governor |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-midterm-election-day-updates-2018-htmlstory.html#jared-polis-to-become-colorados-first-openly-gay-governor |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> and was in a long-term relationship with his partner, [[Marlon Reis]], at the time of his election. Reis was referred to as "first man" by Polis during a speech on the night of his election, and members of Polis' campaign said that Reis will take on the title of "first gentleman".<ref name="DenverPostPolisReis">{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Nic |title=How should we refer to Governor-elect Jared Polis' longtime partner? |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/11/08/jared-polis-partner-marlon-reis-official-title-first-man/ |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> The pair subsequently married in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Birkeland |first1=Bente |title=Colorado Gov. Jared Polis' Wedding Marks 1st Same-Sex Marriage Of Sitting Governor |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/15/1037675898/colorados-polis-weds-marking-the-1st-same-sex-marriage-of-a-sitting-governor |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[NPR]] |date=September 15, 2021}}</ref> Not all non-married partners of Colorado governors are called first lady or first gentleman, as Robin Pringle was referred to by ''[[The Denver Post]]'' as [[John Hickenlooper]]'s girlfriend prior to their marriage.<ref name="DenverPostPolisReis"/> ====Puerto Rico==== After taking office as [[Puerto Rico]]'s first female governor, Governor [[Sila Maria Calderón]] appointed her two daughters, [[Sila María González Calderón]] and [[María Elena González Calderón]], to serve as first ladies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fvillarinni.tripod.com/silamcalderon/|title=Sila M. Calderon.}}</ref> ==Non-political uses== It has become commonplace in the United States for the title of "first lady" to be bestowed on women, as a term of endearment, who have proven themselves to be of exceptional talent or unique notoriety in non-political areas. The phrase is often, but not always, used when the person in question is either the wife or "female equivalent" of a well-known man (or men) in a similar field. For example, the term has been applied in the entertainment field to denote the "first lady of television" ([[Lucille Ball]]), the "first lady of song" ([[Ella Fitzgerald]]), the "first lady of country music" ([[Tammy Wynette]], although [[Loretta Lynn]] was also known by the title), the "first lady of ''[[Star Trek]]''" (actor/producer [[Majel Barrett]]), the "first lady of American [[Soul music|soul]]" ([[Aretha Franklin]]),<ref>{{cite news | title=Are you ready to think outside the box? The abuses of the English language that readers hated most have inspired a new Telegraph book, explains Richard Preston | work=Daily Telegraph | first=Richard | last=Preston | date=May 25, 2007 | page=24}}</ref> the "first lady of the [[Grand Ole Opry]]" ([[Loretta Lynn]]), "the first lady of American cinema" ([[Lilian Gish]]) and the "first lady of the American stage" ([[Helen Hayes]]).<ref>{{cite news | title=The Year Of Hoping For Magic | work=The New York Times | first=Joan | last=Didion | date=March 4, 2007 | page=1}}</ref> The term has also been used to refer to wives of college and university presidents in some cases.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the First Lady, Beth Clements |url=https://www.clemson.edu/president/first-lady.html |website=[[Clemson University]] |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D. |url=https://www.odu.edu/about/president/first-lady-biography |website=[[Old Dominion University]] |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=IU president and first lady receive University Medal, IU's highest honor |url=https://news.iu.edu/stories/2021/06/iu/releases/11-university-medal-president-first-lady.html |website=[[Indiana University]] |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref> The term "first lady" is also used to denote a woman who occupies the foremost social position within a particular locality, in this sense being particularly popular in [[Africa]], where the pre-eminent female noble in some chieftaincy hierarchies, such as those of the [[Yoruba people]], is often referred to by the title.<ref>{{Cite journal | title=The City of York in the Sixteenth Century | first=Maud | last=Sellers | journal=The English Historical Review | volume=9 | issue=34 |date=April 1894 | pages=275–304 | doi=10.1093/ehr/IX.XXXIV.275| url=https://zenodo.org/record/1793611 }}; {{Cite journal | title=Journal of the American Geographical Society of New York | first=A. | last=Russell | volume=21 | year=1889 | pages=494–515}}</ref> In recent years, the term has also been used to refer to the [[Presbytera|wife of the pastor of a church]], especially in predominantly [[black church]]es.<ref>DuBois, Joshua. [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/20/first-ladies-of-the-church.html "First Ladies of the Church"]. ''[[The Daily Beast]]'', March 20, 2013.</ref> ==See also== * [[List of spouses of heads of state]] * [[List of first gentlemen in the United States]] * [[Second lady]] * [[Queen consort]] * ''[[First Yaya]]'' [First Nanny] - Philippine TV series * ''[[First Lady (Philippine TV series)|First Lady]]'' - Philippine TV series == References == {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== {{Refbegin}} * Abrams, Jeanne E. ''First Ladies of the Republic: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and the Creation of an Iconic American Role'' (NYU Press. 2018) [http://www.h-net.msu.edu/reviews/showrev.php?id=53884 online review] * Bailey, Tim. "America's First Ladies on Twentieth-Century Issues: A Common Core Unit", ''History Now'' 35 (Spring 2013) [https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/womens-history/resources/america%E2%80%99s-first-ladies-twentieth-century-issues-common-core- online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015130651/https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/womens-history/resources/america%E2%80%99s-first-ladies-twentieth-century-issues-common-core- |date=October 15, 2013 }}, curriculum unit based on primary sources * Berkin, Berkin, ed., "America's First Ladies", ''History Now'' 35 (Spring 2013) [https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-now/2013-03/america%E2%80%99s-first-ladies online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318193544/https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-now/2013-03/america%E2%80%99s-first-ladies |date=March 18, 2013 }}; popular essays by scholars * Burns, Lisa M. (2008). ''First Ladies and the Fourth Estate: Press Framing of Presidential Wives''. DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-87580-391-3}} *{{cite book|last1=Caroli|first1=Betty Boyd|title=First ladies : from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama|date=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, New York|isbn=9780195392852}} * Horohoe, Jill, "First Ladies as Modern Celebrities: Politics and the Press in Progressive Era" (PhD dissertation, Arizona State University, 2011). DA3452884. * Lugo-Lugo, Carmen R. and Mary K. Bloodsworth-Lugo. "Bare Biceps and American (In) Security: Post-9/11 Constructions of Safe(ty), Threat, and the First Black First Lady", ''Women's Studies Quarterly'' (2011) 39#1 pp 200–217, on media images of Michelle Obama * Watson, Robert P. "Toward the Study of the First Lady: The State of Scholarship", ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' (2003) 33#2 pp 423–441. {{Refend}} ==External links== * [http://www.planetrulers.com/first-ladies Current First Ladies (biographies and photo profiles)] {{Spouses of national leaders}} [[Category:Wives of national leaders| ]] [[Category:Women's social titles]] [[Category:Spouses of national leaders| ]]'