Rare Photos of Presidents and First Ladies Relaxing While in Office
Rare Photos of Presidents and First Ladies Relaxing While in Office
From the campaign trail to state dinners, the president and first lady are used to posing for photos. Which makes it all the more rare when we catch a glimpse at their everyday lives at home—whether that means a mid-day visit in the Oval Office or a walk on the South Lawn. Even with insanely busy schedules, these couples managed to pencil in some quality time during their time in office. Enjoy these candid, intimate moments.
The Wilsons
President Woodrow Wilson is joined in the White House library by his wife, Edith. They were married in 1915, during Wilson's first term.
The Hardings
President Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence, watch the festivities of the White House Easter Egg Roll from a balcony in 1922.
The Coolidges
A perk that President Coolidge and his wife, Grace, got to enjoy during his time in office? Access to the presidential yacht, the USS Mayflower. He was the last to enjoy it though, as the ship was decommissioned by Herbert Hoover in 1929.
The Roosevelts
President Roosevelt gets a laugh from his wife, Eleanor, while he carves the turkey on Thanksgiving at the White House in 1933.
The Eisenhowers
In 1960, Mamie Eisenhower looks down from a White House balcony and gives her husband, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a wave.
The Kennedys
The President and First Lady share a private moment while traveling from Blair House to the White House in 1961, after welcoming the President of Tunisia and his wife.
The Kennedys
Despite a host of security and political aids, JFK and Jackie Kennedy steal some alone time together as they walk arm in arm into the West Wing entrance.
The Kennedys
The White House office seems to stand still as the President, First Lady, and a number of other officers watch the Space Flight of Alan Shepard in 1961.
The Kennedys
Jackie Kennedy and JFK walk across the White House lawn to board a helicopter in 1962.
The Johnsons
President Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson spend time together hosting the Johnson County Fair at the White House in 1967.
The Johnsons
The President and First Lady are on grandparent duty in 1968, as they spend time with their daughter, Lynda Johnson Robb, and her newborn daughter.
The Nixons
While on a flight, Richard Nixon and his wife, Patricia, multitask and go over important documents together. The couple was on a tour of South America during his vice presidency in 1958.
The Nixons
The Nixons take a break from work for a romantic stroll around the Tidal Basin during peak cherry blossom season in 1969.
The Nixons
First Lady Pat Nixon supports her husband—even when he's not at home—by watching him deliver a speech on the TV in 1972.
The Fords
President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford give Americans a look inside Air Force One, while flying home to the White House from California.
The Fords
While on the South Lawn balcony of the White House, President and First Lady Ford share a private moment in 1974.
The Fords
President Ford looks after his wife, while she recovers from breast cancer surgery in 1974. The couple enjoyed dinner in their private living quarters on dinner trays.
The Fords
During a busy day in the Oval Office, President Ford receives an encouraging hug from his wife, Betty.
The Fords
Despite a busy schedule, President Ford sneaks down to the White House salon to keep his wife company while her hair dries in 1974.
The Fords
While attending a state dinner for King Hussein of Jordan in 1974, President Ford and his wife enjoy the first dance in the White House.
The Carters
President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter embrace as they receive the final reports that he would be named the 39th President of the United States.
The Carters
The President and First Lady make the most of their tour down the Mississippi River by sneaking in some relaxation on the deck of the Delta Queen.
The Carters
Starting the day on the right foot, the Carters jog around the White House grounds together in 1979. You know what they say, the couple that runs together, stays together.
The Carters
The President and First Lady are all smiles as they dance during a Congressional Ball hosted at the White House in 1978.
The Reagans
While campaigning for president, Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, squeeze in a stroll on the Virginia property they leased from former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1980.
The Reagans
Nancy Reagan pays her husband a visit in the Oval Office on their 32nd wedding anniversary in 1984.
The Reagans
While hosting an equestrian event at the White House, Ronald Reagan gives his wife a hand as she dismounts from her horse. The Reagans were skilled equestrians and kept horses at their ranch in California.
The Reagans
Ronald and Nancy Reagan are seen through a White House window, as they share a private moment on the Truman Balcony.
The Reagans
Presidents have movie nights, too! The Reagans use TV dinner trays in the presidential study for a date night at home in 1981.
The Reagans
The Reagans share some PDA as they walk into the State Dining Room of the White House arm in arm.
The Bushes
Vice President George H. W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, welcome the Reagans into their residence for dinner in 1981.
The Bushes
The Bushes welcome a litter of puppies—thanks to their Springer Spaniel, Millie—during their time in the White House. Here, the President takes a break from work to play with the puppies. Can you blame him?
The Bushes
In 1991, the President and First Lady walk arm in arm across the White House lawn to their Marine One helicopter.
The Bushes
Apparently, Sundays in the White House looked like this when George H. W. Bush was in office. The couple shares their bed with six of their grandchildren in 1990.
The Clintons
While on the campaign trail, Bill and Hillary Clinton talk strategy on a flight to their next destination.
The Bushes
President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, hold hands as they take a walk around the grounds of the White House in 2005.
The Obamas
After a long inauguration night, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hitch a ride on the back of a golf cart. Michelle wore a white chiffon one-shoulder gown by Jason Wu for the celebration.
The Obamas
The Obamas invite a few of their friends over to enjoy the White House's movie theater—3D glasses and all, of course.
The Obamas
Barack Obama sneaks in a kiss from Michelle as they wait outside of the White House for President-elect Donald Trump in 2017.
Even the most powerful couple in the world deserves some R&R.
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