Tricia Nixon Cox

Patricia Nixon Cox, born on February 21, 1946, is the eldest daughter of Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, and First Lady Pat Nixon. She has a sister, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. Cox is married to Edward F. Cox and is the mother of Christopher Nixon Cox.

Early Life:

Patricia Nixon was born at Murphy Memorial Hospital in Whittier, California. She was raised in Washington, D.C., where she attended Horace Mann Elementary School and the Sidwell Friends School. Later, she studied at the Chapin School in Manhattan. In 1964, she participated in the International Debutante Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, where her escort was Edward F. Cox. She attended Finch College, an institution now defunct, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. Her father was a guest speaker at her graduation ceremony held on June 14, 1968.

In 1968, she was reportedly taken on a date by George W. Bush, who was at that time a future president, arranged by his father. The date ended prematurely after Bush spilled wine and attempted to smoke a cigarette, leading Nixon to request they return to the White House.

In 1969, Cox hosted a Halloween party at the White House for approximately 250 children, which was attended by actor Jonathan Frid, known for his role as Barnabas Collins in the television series "Dark Shadows."

Personal Life:

Patricia Nixon married Edward F. Cox in a White House Rose Garden ceremony on June 12, 1971. The marriage drew media attention, and in a 2015 interview, Charles, then Prince of Wales, recalled his 1970 visit to the United States when he was reportedly being considered as a possible match for Nixon’s daughter. At that time, Nixon represented the U.S. government during Prince Charles’ investiture in Caernarvon, Wales, in July 1969.

Cox has maintained a private life residing in the suburbs of New York. She has been a stay-at-home mother to their son, Christopher Nixon Cox, born in March 1979. Her husband is a corporate attorney and has served as chairman of the New York Republican State Committee.

In addition to her family pursuits, Cox has been actively involved in philanthropy, serving on the boards of various medical research organizations and the Richard Nixon Foundation at the Nixon Library in California.