Claudia Taylor Johnson

1912-
Born: Karnack, TX
Married: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1934
Children: Lunda Bird, Luci Baines
First Lady: 1963-1969

Lady Bird Johnson became First Lady at one of the most difficult moments in U.S. history: the day of President Kennedy's assassination. Although she would never become a national icon like Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson left her own special legacy. A warm smile and a beguiling Texas drawl won her friends of every political persuasion. As First Lady, she became known for her efforts to beautify and preserve America, covering more than 200,000 miles in the pursuit of her environmental goals. Also active in the President's War on Poverty, Mrs. Johnson traveled from the bleakest sections of the inner cities to the harshest rural areas.

Difficult times were not new for Lady Bird Johnson. She lost her mother as a child of five and was raised largely by an aunt and family retainers. Her marriage to Lyndon Johnson produced four babies lost to miscarriage before two daughters, Lynda and Luci, were eventually born. While her husband served in World War II, she took on the responsibility of keeping his Congressional office open in his absence. Actually, it was through Lady Bird's efforts that her husband had won that seat at all, since she had financed the campaign with funds borrowed against her inheritance.

In 1942, she again utilized her inheritance to purchase a Texas radio station, KTBC in Austin. Under her guidance, the formerly debt-ridden station made millions as part of a communications empire that later grew to include a television station. While Lyndon busied himself with politics, Lady Bird provided financial security for her family.

Eventually, the ambitious Lyndon Johnson decided to accept the Vice-presidential spot on John Kennedy's ticket. It was a difficult decision, according to Lady Bird, because her husband was "not exactly suited in temperament or personality to be a number two man." Without a doubt, Johnson's presence on the ticket was an important contributing factor to the Democratic victory in 1960. She was as shocked as the rest of the nation when the young president was assassinated, but true to form, she immediately rose to the challenges of her new position. Declaring Eleanor Roosevelt as her inspiration, Lady Bird was an active partner in her husband's presidency. She was his trusted advisor as Lyndon Johnson decided not to seek re-election in 1968. The war in Vietnam and the bitter battles it engendered at home were certain factors in his decision.

After Lyndon Johnson left office, Lady Bird retired with him to their vast ranch in Texas. Lady Bird continued her national beautification efforts, eventually receiving the Congressional Gold Medal for her founding of the National Wildflower Research Center.