Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis ( ; July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, photographer, and book editor who served as the first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. A popular first lady, she endeared the American public with her devotion to her family, dedication to the historic preservation of the White House, the campaigns she led to preserve and restore historic landmarks and architecture along with her interest in American history, culture and arts. During her lifetime, she was regarded as an international icon for her unique fashion choices, and her work as a cultural ambassador of the United States made her one of the most admired and influential women of the 1960s decade. After studying history and art at Vassar College and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in French literature from George Washington University in 1951, Bouvier started working for the Washington Times-Herald as an inquiring photographer. The following year, she met then-Congressman John Kennedy at a dinner party in Washington. He was elected to the Senate that same year, and the couple married on September 12, 1953, in Newport, Rhode Island. They had four children, two of whom died in infancy. Following her husband's election to the presidency in 1960, Kennedy was known for her highly publicized restoration of the White House and emphasis on arts and culture as well as for her style. She also traveled to many countries where her fluency in foreign languages and history made her very popular. At age 31, she was the third-youngest first lady of the United States when her husband was inaugurated and was named Time magazine's Woman of the Year in 1962. Jacqueline Kennedy's work as a cultural ambassador of the United States had a significant impact on U.S. foreign relations and cultural diplomacy by promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, and by helping to establish stronger ties between the United States and other countries. As First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy traveled extensively to promote cultural exchange and diplomatic relations between the United States and other nations. She used her foreign language skills in French, Spanish, and Italian and cultural knowledge to speak to foreign audiences in their native languages, which demonstrated her respect for their culture and language as well as establishing strong relationships with foreign leaders.