9. Long before the term ‘PR’ had even been invented, Julia knew how to play the press perfectly
Julia Gardiner Tyler was not the ‘shy and retiring’ type. Quite the opposite, in fact. She loved to be the center of attention, and she used every trick in the PR book to make sure she was. It was Julia who insisted she be called ‘The President’s Bride’ rather than simple ‘Mrs Tyler’ in the aftermath of their marriage. She then actively courted the press. Julia reached out to a New York Herald reporter and offered him exclusive access to all of the social events she planned on holding in the White House. In return, the reporter would make constant references to the First Lady’s grace and beauty.
Notably, Julia was keen to use all the latest PR tricks. Indeed, she was the first President’s wife to sit for a photograph portrait. She took time off her White House duties to visit the pioneering American photographer Edward Anthony in his studio in New York City. Between June 1844 and March 1845, Julia made several trips to the Big Apple to sit for the photographer. And she always insisted that the portraits be widely copied and distributed. Before long, her face was just as famous – perhaps even more so – than that of her husband, the President.