Bess Truman

Childhood Portrait of Bess Truman at About Age 4 and a half

TrumanWedding

Bess and Margaret Truman at the Democratic Convention 58-596-01 a

Bess Truman, accompanied by Margaret Truman, christens an airplane. Mrs. Truman is swinging a champagne bottle. - NARA - 199100

President and Mrs. Harry S. Truman, Margaret Truman, and two unidentified men standing on the rear platform of the... - NARA - 199961

Photograph of President Truman, Mrs. Truman, and Margaret Truman at the airport in Washington, preparing to depart on... - NARA - 200331

Bess Truman

Elizabeth Virginia Truman (née Wallace; February 13, 1885 – October 18, 1982) was the wife of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953. Bess Truman was known for her strong will, straightforwardness, and her dedication to her family.

Early Life

Bess Truman was born in Independence, Missouri, to David Willock Wallace and Margaret Elizabeth Gates. She was the eldest of four children. Bess attended the local public schools and graduated from Independence High School in 1901. She later attended Miss Barstow's Finishing School for Girls in Kansas City, Missouri.

Marriage and Family

Bess Wallace married Harry S. Truman on June 28, 1919, after he returned from service in World War I. The couple had one daughter, Margaret Truman, born on February 17, 1924. The Trumans were known for their close-knit family life and strong partnership.

First Lady of the United States

Bess Truman became the First Lady of the United States upon her husband's succession to the presidency after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. As First Lady, Bess was known for her preference for privacy and her reluctance to engage in public speaking or political activities. She focused on her role as a supportive wife and mother, often staying out of the public eye.

Later Life and Death

After leaving the White House in 1953, Bess and Harry Truman returned to their home in Independence, Missouri. Bess continued to live there after her husband's death in 1972. She passed away on October 18, 1982, at the age of 97.

Legacy

Bess Truman is remembered for her dedication to her family and her support of her husband's political career. Despite her preference for privacy, she played a significant role in the Truman administration and left a lasting impact on the role of the First Lady.

Related Pages

• Harry S. Truman
• First Lady of the United States
• Margaret Truman
• Independence, Missouri
• World War I
• Franklin D. Roosevelt