From Michelle Obama supporting Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail to first ladies uniting for ceremonial occasions, these photos show their lasting bond

Few people understand the power and responsibility of being the first lady of the United States.

Since the days of Martha and George Washington, there has been a first lady, with 44 women officially recognized as presidential wives. There are four living former first ladies — Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden — and these women, along with their predecessors, have been there through moments of transition and support.

During a campaign rally in North Carolina in 2016, while she was bidding for the presidency, Clinton said of Michelle, who joined her for the event: "First ladies, we rock!"

They've carried on some of each other's traditions, including honoring each other, uniting for more somber occasions and Biden ensuring Obama's White House garden was "still going strong" back in February 2021.

In November 2023, the then-four living first ladies, Michelle, Clinton, Laura and Melania Trump all came together for the funeral of Rosalynn Carter, as former first ladies have done for other late women who previously held their same position. (As of January 2025, Trump is back in the White House as the current first lady.)

From sweet embraces to official appearances, take a look at some iconic moments captured on camera of former first ladies spending time together, dating back to 1952.

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Passing the Torch

Ahead of Dwight Eisenhower's first of two terms in the White House, then-First Lady Bess Truman greeted Mamie Eisenhower at the president's residence in January 1952.

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New Ideas

After visiting the White House in December 1960 ahead of her husband John F. Kennedy's inauguration, Jackie Kennedy toured the residence with Eisenhower, who was the first lady at the time.

Jackie was disappointed with the house's appearance, the JFK Presidential Library and Museum noted. She referred to the White House as "that dreary Maison Blanche," believing it should be furnished with antiques to reflect the country's history.

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Milestone Moment

Then-first lady Betty Ford posed alongside her friend Rosalynn in the White House just before husband Jimmy Carter's inauguration on Jan. 20, 1977.

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Arm in Arm

In July 1990, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Pat Nixon and Ford came together for the dedication of the Richard M. Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, Calif. The event marked the first time the four women appeared in public together.

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Power Move

In November 1991, six American first ladies attended the dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. Dressed in iconic ensembles of the time — are those shoulder pads we see? — Barbara, Reagan, Rosalynn, Ford, Nixon and Lady Bird Johnson were pictured walking together at the ceremony.

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Poised for a Portrait

At the ceremony, the six women posed for a lovely portrait. Barbara was the sitting first lady at the time.

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Sharing a Smile

Barbara, Johnson, Ford and Reagan shared a sweet moment while visiting a garden in 1994.

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First Ladies Unite!

Five of the six living former first ladies at the time and then-first lady Clinton gathered together in May 1994 for a gala celebrating the new National Garden at the United States Botanic Garden — an effort made possible by the nation's first ladies, per the U.S. Botanic Garden.

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When in Texas

To keep with tradition, the dedication of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, in November 1997 was another reason for first ladies to gather together. For this event, then-first lady Clinton was flanked by Johnson, Barbara, Ford and Reagan.

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Side by Side

Rosalynn was also in attendance at the Texas ceremony, pictured here on the far left with the other five first ladies.

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Standing Together

At the 20th anniversary celebration of the Betty Ford Center in Indian Wells, Calif., former first ladies Rosalynn, Barbara, Reagan and Clinton were all dressed to the nines as they joined Ford herself for the special occasion in January 2003.

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Front and Center

In 2009, Michelle joined the first ladies' club when husband Barack Obama took office. Four years later, at the April 2013 opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in April 2013 in Dallas, she was joined by Laura, Clinton, Barbara and Rosalynn.

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Showing Support

When Clinton hit the campaign trail in hopes of securing the presidency in 2016, Michelle, then first lady, was by her side. At their first campaign event together in Winston-Salem, N.C., that October, the two shared a sweet hug onstage.

When Clinton took the podium, she championed Michelle as the "most amazing first lady."

"Michelle reminds us to work hard, stay true to our values, be good to one another and never ever stop fighting for what we believe in," Clinton, who was first lady from 1993 to 2001, said. "She has spent eight years as our first lady, advocating for girls around the world to go to school and have the same opportunities as boys."

Clinton added, "Seriously, is there anyone more inspiring than Michelle Obama? Maybe it's especially meaningful to me because I do know something about being first lady of the United States."

Earlier in the month, Michelle stumped for the former secretary of state at the Democratic National Convention and while giving an emotional speech in New Hampshire.

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A Moment of Remembrance

The first ladies have come together in sad times, too, as they did for Reagan in March 2016 after she died of congestive heart failure at age 92. The living first ladies did the same for Barbara, who died in April 2018 at age 92, and Rosalynn, who died in November 2023 at age 96.

Rosalynn's grandson, Jason Carter, one of several family members to speak at the tribute service, thanked the women for their attendance and called out the special "sisterhood" they share.

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