Bess Truman

Elizabeth Virginia Truman (née Wallace) was born on February 13, 1885, in Independence, Missouri. Her parents were Margaret Elizabeth Gates and David Willock Wallace; her mother was the daughter of a businessman, and her father was a local politician. Elizabeth, commonly known as Bess in her youth, had three younger brothers—Frank, George, and Fred—and one sister who died in infancy. As a child, she participated in sports such as golf, tennis, horseback riding, shot put, basketball, baseball, and ice skating. She also learned dancing and etiquette, and attended social events including town balls and hayrides.

In 1903, at age 18, Bess Wallace's father died by suicide, an event that significantly impacted her life. The family subsequently moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a year to avoid community scrutiny. Bess assumed responsibility for raising her younger brothers, and her mother became a recluse. The death of her father shaped Bess's views on privacy and the responsibilities within a marriage. She subsequently resided with her maternal grandparents and completed her education at Independence High School, now William Chrisman High School. She further studied at Miss Barstow’s Finishing School for Girls in Kansas City, Missouri, where she studied literature and French and was an active member of the women's basketball team. During her youth, she was known for her fashion sense, especially her hats.

Following her education, Bess engaged in community activities and charity work, including involvement with the Needlework Guild and her bridge club. She began using the name Bess instead of Bessie during this period.

Harry S. Truman and Bess Wallace had known each other since childhood, having attended the same schools in Independence. Although their early interactions were limited by social class differences, Harry often assisted Bess with studies and showed small acts of kindness, such as carrying her books. Many years later, in 1910, Harry sought to reconnect by returning a cake plate to her family. Their courtship developed over subsequent years, with Harry proposing in 1911, though Bess declined. The couple became informally engaged in November 1913, and they maintained correspondence while Harry traveled for work in mining and petroleum industries.

Harry and Bess Wallace married on June 28, 1919, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Independence. After their wedding, they honeymooned in Chicago and Detroit and moved into Bess’s childhood home to care for her mother. Their only child, Margaret, was born in 1924 after two prior miscarriages. Bess predominantly managed household and family finances during her marriage, while also working various jobs, including as an accounts manager at Truman-Jacobsen Haberdashery until 1922. Following Harry’s election as county judge in Jackson County, she assisted in his political work and became involved in local social organizations like the Junior Service League of Independence and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 1934, Harry was elected as a United States senator from Missouri, prompting the family to move to Washington, D.C., with the couple alternating between apartments in the city during legislative sessions and returning to Independence. During her time in Washington, Bess became a member of groups such as the Congressional Club, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the Red Cross, and she worked as a clerk on her husband's staff, managing personal correspondence and editing reports. She developed relationships with other political spouses but chose to abstain from attending formal meetings of senators' wives, considering them uninteresting. During this period, she also assisted Harry with speechwriting but did not pursue a public speaking role herself.

In 1944, Harry Truman was unexpectedly offered the Democratic nomination for Vice President, although he did not seek the position. Bess's role as First Lady began in January 1945 when Harry succeeded to the presidency following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death. She served as Second Lady briefly in 1945 before becoming First Lady, a position she held until 1953. Her approach was characterized by a preference for privacy, avoiding social obligations and media engagements, and frequently visiting her home in Independence. She believed her responsibility was to maintain discretion and not voice political opinions publicly. Inside the White House, her influence was primarily through private consultations with President Truman on major issues. She also participated in his reelection campaign, making appearances on tour.

Bess Truman retired from public life after her husband chose not to run for another term in 1952. She resided in Independence until her death on October 18, 1982, at the age of 97. Throughout her life, she maintained a reputation for privacy; she declined to provide detailed personal information to journalists and destroyed many personal letters after her tenure as First Lady. Her relative reticence has limited comprehensive historical analysis of her role and influence as First Lady.