The role of the first lady has evolved over the years, mostly thanks to the first ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt, who took on more responsibility beyond hostessing. Over the course of the 20th century, it has become increasingly common for first ladies to chose a specific cause that they want to promote, usually one that is not politically divisive. They can even hire staff to support their activities.
Some popular examples include Lady Bird Johnson, who pioneered environmental protection and beautification, Pat Nixon encouraged volunteerism and traveled abroad frequently for her cause. Betty Ford supported women’s rights; Rosalynn Carter advocated for those with mental disabilities; Nancy Reagan started the ‘Just Say No’ drug awareness campaign; Barbara Bush promoted literacy; Hillary Clinton aimed to reform the healthcare system; Laura Bush also supported women’s rights and childhood literacy. The latest first ladies, Michelle Obama supported military families and tackled childhood obesity, and Melania Trump advocated against cyberbullying and drug use among minors.
Private Education
The children of the First Family typically attend private school. This isn't just because private schools usually offer a better education — it also has to do with the child's safety. The president might feel more comfortable putting their kids in a "more secure and customized educational environment," especially when you consider their public exposure that comes with their parent's new position.
In the last century, only one U.S. president has sent his children to a D.C. public school, and he was President Jimmy Carter with his youngest daughter Amy Carter. He stood up against the idea that private schools are better than public schools, so he enrolled his 9-year-old daughter in a public school in Washington, D.C. where, as a white girl, she was part of the minority. President Trump also broke presidential tradition when he sent his son Barron Trump to St. Andrew’s in Potomac, Maryland instead of the popular first family school of choice, Sidwell Friends.
Tea With the Queen
The late Queen Elizabeth II, ascended to the throne in 1952 and was the world's longest-reigning monarch. She played an important role in facilitating the US and UK's diplomatic relations and met with 12 American presidents. She first traveled to Washington, DC back in 1951 to meet President Harry Truman, on behalf of her father King George IV, she was still a princess.
The late Queen hosted President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle during one of his visits to England, just one of the perks of being the leader of the free world!
The First Family Sometimes Get in Debt
It's customary for the first family to pick up the tab for every meal their guests eat and drink at the White House and Camp David. In fact, former first lady, Laura Bush, expressed being unprepared for some of the costs after becoming the first lady in 2001, "There were some costs that I was not prepared for," she wrote. "I was amazed by the sheer number of designer clothes that I was expected to buy, like the women before me, to meet the expectations for a first lady." This also caught Nancy Reagan by surprise. “Nobody had told us that the president and his wife are charged for every meal, as well as for such incidentals as dry cleaning, toothpaste, and other toiletries,” she said in an interview about life in the White House in January 1981.
All of those expenses add up over the course of a presidency, especially if the president serves multiple terms, leaving the First Family in debt. In fact, former President Bill Clinton was $16 million in debt by the time he left the White House in 2001. When he left office in 1825, President James Monroe was deeply in debt.
Post-Presidency Travel Perks
Some of the presidential perks last beyond their four (or eight) years in office. The General Services Administration provide former presidents with a sum of money to cover travel and business expenses after their service to the country. While the media often shows photos of presidents having fanning dinners with diplomats... playing gold with other politicians, the truth is they'll often business meetings.
Like Nancy Reagan once said, “Presidents don’t get vacations – they just get a change of scenery. The job goes with you.” It sounds like it's a well-deserved gift considering how stressful leading the country can be. Do you think a vacation budget is the least we can do after their service to the country?