The first second gentleman of the United States was Doug Emhoff, the husband of Kamala Harris, the vice president from 2021 to 2025 and first woman in the position.

Since the 1970s, the vice presidential official residence is Number One Observatory Circle in Washington, D.C.[2] The second spouse's visibility in the public sphere has been a somewhat recent development.

Although the role of the first lady as White House hostess dates from the beginning of the republic (and was typically filled by another member of the president's family if the president was unmarried or a widower), with a few exceptions, it was generally not until the late 20th century and early 21st century that vice-presidential wives took on public roles that attracted significant media attention.

The most recent second lady vacancy was for 132 days in 1974, between the service of Betty Ford and Happy Rockefeller, when the vice presidency was also vacant.

[3] The wife of the vice president of the United States was traditionally expected to serve as a hostess and appear at society functions.

[6][5] Hobart took over the hostess duties on behalf of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley, who had chronic health issues including epilepsy.

[11] As she undertook missions of goodwill across the world, she insisted on visiting schools, orphanages, hospitals and village markets rather than attend tea or coffee functions.

[7][5] According to O'Brien, Second Lady Nixon proved popular "as a paragon of graciousness, composure, and elegance", and made a conscious effort to travel to locations where local women were banned, to spread a subtle message for equal rights.

[15] His priorities in office were advocating for food security across the United States, fight antisemitism on the international stage, address climate change, as well as push for equal access to justice.