First Children
The creepiest, toughest and wildest presidential kids.
by Liza Featherstone
November 3, 2008
In January 2009, we'll have a new crew of presidential children in the
White House. Though it's an unelected office, the position of
Presidential Child has always been a tricky one. Some have executed
their involuntary duties with grace, while others have scandalized the nation. — Liza Featherstone
Biggest Creep
After James Madison's death, his stepson John, a gambler, thief and alcoholic, betrayed his mother by trying to sell off his father's personal effects.
Biggest Redneck
No, not Chelsea Clinton, who's never been much of a country girl, despite being the daughter of the Bubba-in-Chief. The winner here is blueblood John Adams II, son of John Quincy Adams, who married his first cousin Mary Catherine Hellen in the White House in 1828.
John Quincy Adams married his first cousin.
Biggest Catfighter
Letty Tyler Semple, the stunningly beautiful daughter of John Tyler, was still grieving her mother when the president married Julia Gardiner, a young New York socialite and department store model. All Julia's efforts to befriend Letty were rebuffed. Two decades later, Letty would accuse Julia of seducing her own husband, James A. Semple.
©2008 Liza Featherstone and Babble
About the Author
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Liza Featherstone is a contributing writer to The Nation. Her work has appeared in Nerve, Salon, The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue and NYLON. She's the author of Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Workers' Rights at Wal-Mart (Basic Books, 2004). She lives in New York City with her husband and son. |
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