Profile of the Day: Martha Washington

On this day in 1731, Martha Washington, America’s first First Lady, was born.

Image: Martha Washington / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Martha Dandridge was born on her family’s plantation Chestnut Grove in Virginia. She was the first of eight children born to Frances Jones and John Dandridge, a successful planter and immigrant from England. At the age of 18, she married wealthy plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis and together they had four children; only two lived past childhood. When her husband died in 1757, Martha was left with a large fortune.

In 1759, she married George Washington in a grand wedding. Throughout the American Revolutionary War, Martha accompanied her husband to his winter encampments. The patriots celebrated her presence and often referred to her as “Lady Washington.”

When George was elected the first President of the United States, Martha recognized that, as the first First Lady, she would become the template for future First Ladies to come. She took on the responsibilities for major social and political events and parties for the presidential office, including a weekly Friday night reception open to the public.

In 1797, she returned home to Mount Vernon. Two and a half years after the death of her husband, Martha died on May 22, 1802 at the age of 70.

View Martha Washington’s Geni Profile