Her first husband died in the yellow-fever epidemic in 1793. The blue-eyed, black-haired young widow had many suitors, but the "great little Madison," 17 years older than she, won her. She supplied all the social graces that her brilliant but quiet husband lacked.
The 8 years of Madison's presidency were filled with colorful parties and receptions. Mrs. Madison seemed able to make everyone feel at home. She remembered the names and faces of everyone she met.
Madison's second term in office saw the troubled years of the War of 1812. When the British attacked Washington, Mrs. Madison was one of the last people to leave the White House. Before she fled to safety, she packed trunks of important state papers and rescued the famous @Gilbert @Stuart painting of George Washington, which hung in the White House.
Unlike Martha Washington and Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison thoroughly enjoyed being first lady. She loved Washington and never wanted to be any other place. In her later years, when she was a widow with little money, she remained "Queen Dolley" to her many friends. The most important men in Washington came to her home to pay their respects.
Beautiful @Elizabeth @Kortright of New York City was 17 when she married James @Monroe, a Virginia lawyer.
