Mary Todd Lincoln

Date of Birth: December 13, 1818

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: July 16, 1882

Biography

Mary Todd Lincoln was born on December 13, 1818, in Lexington, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Robert Smith Todd, a wealthy banker, and Eliza Parker Todd. Mary received a high-quality education for a woman of her time, attending schools in Kentucky and finishing her education at Madame Mentelle’s Boarding School, where she became fluent in French. Mary Todd met Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, and they married on November 4, 1842. She became First Lady of the United States when Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President on March 4, 1861. During her time in the White House, Mary was known for her strong-willed personality, her extensive redecorations of the White House, and her efforts to support the Union cause during the Civil War. Her time as First Lady was marred by personal tragedy. She lost her son, Willie, in 1862, and her husband was assassinated in 1865. After Lincoln’s death, Mary struggled with depression and faced numerous financial difficulties. She spent her later years traveling and living with her sister in Illinois. Mary Todd Lincoln passed away on July 16, 1882, in Springfield, Illinois.

5 Interesting Facts about Mary Todd Lincoln

1. Mary Todd Lincoln was fluent in French, which was quite rare for women of her time.

2. She was an active supporter of the Union during the Civil War, frequently visiting hospitals to care for wounded soldiers.

3. Mary Todd Lincoln was the first First Lady to be called “First Lady” in the press.

4. She experienced immense personal loss, including the deaths of three of her four sons.

5. Mary Todd Lincoln was committed to an asylum for a brief period in 1875 due to her erratic behavior and depression.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Todd Lincoln

1. “My husband is not a failure. He is the President of the United States.”

2. “I never in my life felt more certain that I was doing right than I do in signing this paper.”

3. “Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape.”

4. “I have always tried to do my duty in every situation.”

5. “I am not the enemy. I am the President’s wife.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Mary Todd Lincoln’s highest net worth would be difficult to pinpoint exactly due to the lack of comprehensive financial records from that era. However, it is known that after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, she faced financial difficulties and was not wealthy.

Children

Mary Todd Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln had four sons: 1. Robert Todd Lincoln (1843–1926) – He became a lawyer, businessman, and politician, serving as Secretary of War and U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom. 2. Edward Baker Lincoln (1846–1850) – He died at the young age of four, likely from tuberculosis. 3. William Wallace “Willie” Lincoln (1850–1862) – Willie died of typhoid fever while the Lincolns were in the White House. 4. Thomas “Tad” Lincoln (1853–1871) – Tad died at the age of 18, likely from tuberculosis.