America has a lot of First Ladies with a lot of accomplishments to count. Thanks to sources like the Siena Research Institute, we can look back and see how the top 20 ranked.
In case you were wondering about our current and last First Lady, Jill Biden ranked 21 on the list and Melania Trump 40th. Let’s begin!
1. Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt sits in a positive light when it comes to public opinion. She’s received universal approval since about 1982 and had a 66% approval rating among the country.
Eleanor was a champion of women’s rights and still worked as a write and lecturer while in office.
2. Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams is close to Eleanor Roosevelt when it comes to public opinion. She was a learned and intelligent woman who played the role of a formal entertainer. She oversaw the president’s social status and reputation, which reflected on the white house in general.
Source:
Wikimedia - painting by Gilbert Stuart (public domain)
3. Laura Bush
Laura Bush sits at a high 76% approval rating among Americans. Some negative opinions and feedback exist about Laura, but her service as first lady during 9/11 might have helped her reputation slightly despite divisive opinions on her husband.
Source:
Wikimedia - Krisanne Johnson (public domain)
4. Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson is looked fondly upon by most Americans, and the reason could be any of the policies and causes she championed for. Environmental protection was just one of them, as well as the Highway Beautification Act. Her expertise with social capital and hosting leaves her in the top ranking first ladies in terms of public opinion.
Source:
Wikimedia - Robert Knudsen (public domain)
5. Betty Ford
Also sitting at the top of the list of most approved first ladies, Betty Ford sits at a high 75% approval rating. Betty had notably more progressive views than her husband and, like others before her on this list, fought for women’s rights.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - David Hume Kennerly (public domain)
6. Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison, the fourth first lady of the U.S., is known today for her focus on social capital and bipartisanship. She was known for inviting political opponents to the same gatherings so that all actions from the white house would be perceived in good faith.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - George Washington Bicentennial Commission (public domain)
7. Rosalynn Carter
Rosalynn Carter consistently remained in the top 5 first ladies based on approval ratings and surveys. With an approval rating of 58%, one way she earned positive feedback was from her work on tackling American mental health issues, eventually influencing laws on the matter.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain
8. Jackie Kennedy
Jackie Kennedy is one of the more famous women on this list. She was a woman who partook in the arts like fashion and creative work. This reflected the work she did in the White House at the time, overseeing the renovation and and restoration of the building – as well as the artworks housed in it. She sits at the number 4 spot based on 2003 results from the Siena Research Institute.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Abbie Rowe (public domain)
9. Martha Washington
Martha Washington had no shoes to fill, being the very first woman to be first lady of the United States. She, however, had to set an example.
Martha did a lot less than other first ladies on this list due to the infancy of the United States at the time, but she did oversee hosting gatherings and appearing kind and approachable.
Martha did a lot less than other first ladies on this list due to the infancy of the United States at the time, but she did oversee hosting gatherings and appearing kind and approachable.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain
10. Edith Roosevelt
Edith Roosevelt became first lady during some cloudy times. She assumed her position aftere the assassination of President William McKinley.
She would help inform her husband with key information from newspapers, and she was also behind efforts to renovate the White House in 1902.
She would help inform her husband with key information from newspapers, and she was also behind efforts to renovate the White House in 1902.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain
11. Lou Hoover
Lou Hoover was an intelligent woman. An academic, scholar, and a polyglot, Lou Hoover played a notable role in Girl Scouts of the United States of America, even serving as its president on two occasions. Hoover sits at the 11th spot in ranking based on the Siena Research Institute’s results.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain
12. Louisa Adams
Louisa Adams wasn’t present during her husband’s inauguration due to the convoluted nature of the election. Nonetheless, Louisa accepted the role of first lady and used her time there to battle for women’s rights.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain
13. Barbara Bush
Barbara Bush was a progressively-positioned first lady, advocating for LGBTQ rights often to the surprise or disagreement of her own party. This, of course, won her favor with many progressive Americans. She helped spread awareness for AIDS and, today sits at a 72% approval rating.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain
14. Bess Truman
Bess Truman was a bit more reluctant to accept her role as first lady. She notably disliked the lack of privacy during her role. She, however, was involved in the Women’s National Democratic Club as well as animal rescue organizations such as the Washington Animal Rescue League.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain (Abbie Rowe)
15. Ellen Wilson
Ellen Wilson was an artist, boasting a history of painting and sketching duringh er time as first lady. She hosted many favorable gatherings and worked in her own personal studio.
She championed improving housing for marginalized groups like black Americans. She ranks aas the 16th most liked first lady.
She championed improving housing for marginalized groups like black Americans. She ranks aas the 16th most liked first lady.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Library of Congress (Public Domain)
16. Grace Coolidge
Another woman reluctant to involve herself in politics, Grace Coolidge remained shy inside the oval office. She did partake in charity work like what she did for Red Cross. She also worked to help marginalized communities like people with hearing loss and Jewish communities.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Library of Congress (Public domain)
17. Martha Jefferson Randolph
Martha Jefferson Randolph was the president’s daughter, since Thomas Jefferson’s wife had passed away years before he even began his term. She adamantly pleaded and persuaded her father to end slavery, thanks to what she’d read. She desired a slave-free America during her lifetime. She ranks 18th in the same survey from Siena Research Institute.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Thomas Sully (public domain)
18. Sarah Polk
Sarah Polk, like other first ladies, had a reputation for incredible social and interacting skills. She would supervise her husband’s writing and accompany him to formal meetings and gatherings. Public opinion on her can be summed up as “okay.”
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - George Dury (public domain)
19. Emily Donelson
Emily Dondelson’s time as first lady was filled with controversy. She wasn’t married to President Andrew Jackson and only assumed the role after his late wife’s death. She showed a bipartisan and sociable side to her. She had a disagreement with President Jackson over Peggy Eaton, leading to her refusing to return to the White House.
Of course, the convoluted background of her time as first lady earned her a lower spot on the Siena Researchh Institute’s results – sitting at 26th.
Of course, the convoluted background of her time as first lady earned her a lower spot on the Siena Researchh Institute’s results – sitting at 26th.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl (public domain)
20. Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama’s more recent service in the oval office means that the public eye is still hot on her. People remain critical of a first lady if they have recent memory of here. Still, she has a 66% approval rating.
Michelle boasts being one of the most educated first ladies to serve. This was reflected in many of the campaigns she led, such as making lunch at schools more accessible across the country.
Michelle boasts being one of the most educated first ladies to serve. This was reflected in many of the campaigns she led, such as making lunch at schools more accessible across the country.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons - Public domain
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