first lady, Wife of the president of the U.S. Although the first lady’s role has never been codified or officially defined, she figures prominently in the political and social life of the U.S. Because she is representative of her husband on official and ceremonial occasions both at home and abroad, the first lady is closely watched for some hint of her husband’s thinking and for a clue to his future actions. The wife of the president played a public role from the founding of the U.S., but the title first lady did not come into general use until much later, near the end of the 19th century. By the end of the 20th century, the title had been absorbed into other languages and was often used, without translation, for the wife of a country’s leader. Although unpaid and unelected, the first lady is able to influence behaviour and opinion, and some first ladies have used their influence to affect legislation.
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