Traditionally, the first lady does not hold outside employment while occupying the office,[1] although Eleanor Roosevelt earned money writing and giving lectures, but gave most of it to charity,[2] and Jill Biden maintained her regular job as an educator during her time in the role.

Presidents John Tyler and Woodrow Wilson had two official first ladies; both remarried during their presidential tenures.

[10][11] One woman who was not married to a president is still considered an official first lady: Harriet Lane, niece of bachelor James Buchanan.

In 2007, the United States Mint began releasing a set of half-ounce $10 gold coins under the First Spouse Program with engravings of portraits of the first ladies on the obverse.

[12] When a president served without a spouse, a gold coin was issued that bears an obverse image emblematic of Liberty as depicted on a circulating coin of that era and a reverse image emblematic of themes of that president's life.