After Letitia Tyler died, John Tyler, then President of the United States, married Julia Gardiner. She was 24 years old. At age 54, he was 30 years older than his wife. Julia was First Lady for only eight months. She loved the role.

The Gardiner family was so rich that they owned their own island in New York. Julia was schooled in New York City. She learned French, music, and arithmetic. She was plump with an hourglass figure. Her hair and eyes were dark.

Julia received many marriage proposals. When she chose John Tyler, she became America's youngest First Lady. She took charge of White House social life right away. She wore a large headdress at parties. It looked like a crown. She greeted guests from a large chair like a throne. She had a court of ladies around her. She traveled in a coach with white horses.

Some people disliked Julia. They thought she acted like a queen. But she won many friends with her charm and good looks. She was the first to insist that Hail to the Chief be played when the President entered a room.

Leaving the White House was sad for Julia. The Tylers moved to Virginia. Julia had seven children. John Tyler died in 1862. Julia supported the South in the Civil War. Her New York family did not like that. They fought over money. Julia later got a widow's pension from the government. She signed her letters as Mrs. Ex-President Tyler.