Mary Todd’s family was wealthy. She had French tutors and dance lessons.

Mary was short and plump. She was the life of the party. Abraham Lincoln was different. He was tall and thin. Lincoln’s family was poor. He grew up in a log cabin in the woods.

They met at a dance. They both liked politics. Mary thought Abraham could do big things. They married in 1842. The Lincolns lived in Springfield until 1860. They had four sons.

Mary could be moody and selfish. But she gave her husband good advice. Mary wanted Abe to be President. She wanted to be First Lady.

The Lincolns came to the White House during troubled times. The Civil War began soon after they arrived. Life was hard for the Lincolns in the White House. Their middle son died suddenly. They were both very sad.

People in Washington did not like Mary Todd Lincoln. They thought she spent too much money. In four months, she bought 300 pairs of gloves. There were rumors that she was a Southern spy. She had a quick temper.

Abraham Lincoln was shot days after the Civil War ended. Mary was shattered. She owed money. She fled to Europe with her youngest son, Tad. Sadly, Tad died at age 18. Mary's older son, Robert, had her put in an insane asylum. Her state of mind improved. She was cleared of insanity. Late in life, she was nearly blind and unable to walk. Mary Todd Lincoln led a hard life.