Elizabeth Kortright Monroe

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Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (1768 - September 23 1830) was the wife of US President James Monroe.

Descended from an old New York family with Dutch roots, she married the 27-year-old Monroe, then a lawyer, when she was a beautiful girl of 17. Later, while Monroe was posted as envoy to the Court of Versailles in the midst of the French Revolution, she intervened with authorities to gain the release of Madame LaFayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette.

The wedding of their daughter, Maria Hester Monroe and Samuel L. Gouverneur, was the first to be held in the White House. However, during her years in the White House, Elizabeth suffered from a health decline, which curtailed her activities as the First Lady.

The Washington society thought Elizabeth Monroe was aloof and snobbish due to her poor health, but her husband, James Monroe, did nothing but defend her.

Retiring sickly and suffering several long illnesses, Elizabeth died on September 23, 1830 aged 62, at her home, Oak Hill. She was interred at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

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