Frances Cleveland Biography

Frances Cleveland, born as Frances Clara Folsom, became the 27th First Lady of the U.S. when she married the US president Grover Cleveland in 1886. She was just 21 at the time of her marriage and became the youngest ever first lady in American history. The president was 49 at that time - old enough to be her father. The president’s marriage with Frances was held in the Blue room of the White House - the first presidential marriage to be conducted in the mansion. On becoming the First Lady, Frances found herself in midst of intense media interest. Young, beautiful and charming, she soon became popular with the general public. She took over the housekeeping duties from her sister-in-law Rose Cleveland who had been taking care of her bachelor brother’s household so far. When Grover Cleveland left the White House with Frances at the end of his first term, she told the staff to take proper care of the building as they would be returning in four years. Her prediction proved correct and the family moved back into the White House in 1893 when her husband won the presidential elections again. She was the only First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms.