The two met for lunch today and were expected to talk about life in the White House, and how Michelle should use her role as First Lady. Reagan felt a little miffed at not being invited to a bill signing for stem cell research, which she supported, according to the July issue of Vanity Fair, but Michelle and Nancy had a long phone conversation during the transition and are expected to take to each other well.
Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton
Their relationship no doubt got off to a frosty start after Michelle expressed reservations about voting for Hillary if she became the 2008 Democratic nominee. But the two appear to have patched things up and seem friendly and warm at the numerous events where their paths have crossed. The two talked on the phone after Obama's election victory about raising children in the White House, and Hillary praised Michelle at an event championing women's rights (left): "Through her grace and her wisdom [Michelle has] become an inspiration to women and girls, not only in the United States, but around the world."
Alex Brandon / AP Photo
Less than a week after last November's elections, the Bushes greeted the Obamas at the White House with pats on the back and kisses on the cheek. While George and Barack talked national affairs in the Oval Office, Laura led Michelle through the mansion's 33 rooms, chatting about their kids and White House décor. Laura defended Michelle over an attack about her patriotism on the campaign trail, saying one of the difficult parts of being a spouse of a politician is "everything you say is looked at and in many cases misconstrued."
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Mamie Eisenhower and Jackie Kennedy were clearly from two very different generations. Mamie cared about appearances and protocol—from where flowers should go to how to properly greet dignitaries. Contemporaries dismissed her as grandmotherly and socially inept, especially in comparison to the megawatt glamour and sophistication of her successor Jacqueline Kennedy. Mamie gave Jackie her first tour of the White House, inspiring Jackie to embark on a large-scale renovation of the mansion, bringing it up to her stylish standards.
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Nancy Reagan and then-first lady Laura Bush, right, arrive at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to debut a heart health campaign exhibit of first lady red dresses in 2005. While they seem chummy in this photo, Nancy didn't have much warmth toward Laura or any of the Bushes. "Laura did not really play a huge public role. I think Laura kind of missed her moment for a number of reasons," author Kati Marton says.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo
Then-first lady Laura Bush, center, and former first ladies Rosalynn Carter and Hillary Clinton pose at the Alzheimer's Association inaugural gala in 2004. Carter and Bush played much more backseat first lady roles than Clinton, who had an office in the West Wing and sent emissaries to meetings she missed. While the two weren't the best of friends, Laura praised Clinton's "grit and strength," during her 2008 presidential run.
Lawrence Jackson / AP Photo
These three first ladies represented very different styles. Pat Nixon had a difficult act to follow—America had fallen in love with Jackie Kennedy's sophistication and glamour, and some found Pat's volunteerism causes dull in comparison to Jackie's more sweeping initiatives. She also redecorated the White House after Jackie's overhaul—replacing the classical style with European.
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The three former first ladies stand with then-first lady Barbara Bush at the opening of the Nixon Library and Birthplace. Though all first ladies represented overlapping Republican administrations, the women weren't the best of friends. When Betty Ford took over from Pat Nixon, she fired much of the former first lady's staff for bossing her around. Nancy also said of Barbara that she never knew her well, despite years in the White House together.
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The Clintons, Senator Ted Kennedy, and Jackie Kennedy leave on a private boat near Menesha Harbor. Jackie advised Hillary about how to keep daughter Chelsea out of the limelight over lunches and summers on Martha's Vineyard. "That was a genuine friendship," Marton said. "There was tremendous respect and admiration between those two."
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Former first ladies Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford (seated), and Nancy Reagan pose with Barbara Bush (standing). Barbara and Nancy were both in the White House while Bush served as Ronald Reagan's vice president, but Nancy has no kind words to say of Barbara: "I never got to know her very well. Our lives just took different tracks." However, Nancy did call Barbara to apologize after her son Ron wrote a screed in Esquire against George W. Bush in 2004.
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