Florence Harding was the wife of President Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States. Known as the “Duchess,” she served as First Lady from 1921 to 1923.
Early Life
Florence Mabel Kling was born on August 15, 1860, in Marion, Ohio. Florence’s father, Amos Kling, was a successful businessman, and she enjoyed a privileged upbringing. After graduating high school, she attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
At the age of 19, Florence eloped with Henry De Wolfe. The couple had a son, Marshall, but the marriage was short-lived. Florence returned to Marion, where she supported herself by giving piano lessons to local children. She and De Wolfe officially divorced in 1886.
Marriage to Warren G. Harding
Florence met Warren Harding when he came to Marion to purchase the local newspaper, the Marion Star. After a four-year courtship, they were engaged in 1890. Florence married Warren Harding on July 8, 1891, at a home the couple had designed together. They had no children of their own, but raised Marshall together. He died on January 1, 1915, of tuberculosis.
Florence was devoted to helping her husband succeed, first in his newspaper business and later in his political career. She once stated that she had “only one real hobby — my husband.” As Warren rose through Republican state politics to became a U.S. Senator, Florence served as a key advisor. She also successfully ran his growing newspaper business, which allowed him to focus on his political career.
First Lady of the United States
Warren G. Harding was elected President in 1920. The Harding’s immediately reopened the White House to the public, reversing a policy that had been put in place in response to President Woodrow Wilson’s health. Florence Harding often led tours of the White House herself, and started a tradition of conducting informal press conferences before official events.
As First Lady, Florence Harding hosted a variety of social events, ranging from garden parties for veterans to poker parties in the White House library. While alcohol was banned under the 18th Amendment, it was available at White House functions.
In 1922, Florence was hospitalized for a life-threatening kidney ailment. The Harding’s were candid about her condition, and second lady Grace Coolidge assumed First Lady duties in Florence’s absence. When healthy, Florence was an active first lady. She continued to serve as one of her husband’s most-trusted political adviser. She also took on her own causes, including women’s rights. She was the first woman to vote for her husband in a presidential election, and urged other women to exercise their rights as a member of the League of Women Voters and the National Women’s Party.
Florence Harding was traveling with her husband on a coast-to-coast rail tour when he unexpectedly died of a heart attack on August 2, 1923. She accompanied his body back to Washington, D.C., where a series of memorials were held before he was laid to rest in Marion, Ohio.
Later Life
Florence Harding was devastated by the death of her husband and only survived a year without him. She died on November 21, 1924, at the age of 64.
