Letitia Christian Tyler

Letitia Christian Tyler
Official portrait, 1842
First Lady of the United States
In role April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
President	John Tyler
Preceded by	Anna Harrison Jane Harrison (acting)
Succeeded by	Priscilla Tyler (acting)
Second Lady of the United States
In role March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
Vice President	John Tyler
Preceded by	Floride Calhoun
Succeeded by	Sophia Dallas
First Lady of Virginia
In role December 10, 1825 – March 4, 1827
Governor	John Tyler
Preceded by	Susanna Lawson Pleasants
Succeeded by	Frances Ann Gwynn Giles
Personal details
Born	Letitia Christian (1790-11-12)November 12, 1790 Providence Forge, Virginia, U.S.
Died	September 10, 1842(1842-09-10) (aged 51) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Cedar Grove Plantation Cemetery, New Kent County, Virginia
Spouse	John Tyler ​ (m. 1813)​
Children	9, including Robert and Letitia

Letitia Christian Tyler (née Christian; November 12, 1790 – September 10, 1842) was the first lady of the United States from 1841 to 1842 as the first wife of President John Tyler. After meeting in 1808, the two married in 1813. She managed their plantation in Virginia while her husband progressed his political career at the state capital and in Washington, D.C., accompanying him only while he was governor of Virginia. She had a stroke in 1839 that left her permanently disabled.

Tyler became the second lady of the United States when her husband became vice president of the United States in 1841, and she became the first lady when President William Henry Harrison died the following month and her husband ascended to the presidency. Tyler was unable to perform the duties of first lady due to her health, delegating them to her daughter-in-law Priscilla Cooper Tyler. She died of a second stroke in 1842, becoming the first person to die while serving as first lady of the United States. Tyler played virtually no role in her husband's presidency, but maintained a positive reputation among the American people.