Elizabeth (Bess) Wallace was the oldest of four children. She was the only girl. She had three younger brothers. Bess was athletic. She could bat a ball. She played tennis well. She was a top student.

After high school, Bess went to Kansas City to a finishing school. She studied language and literature.

Harry Truman and Bess were from the same small town. They went to high school together. Harry was crazy about Bess. In 1919, they married after a long courtship. They were both in their thirties. Together, they had one child, Margaret. Margaret grew up to be a singer and an author.

Harry was elected to the Senate. The Trumans moved to Washington. In 1944, Harry Truman was elected Vice-President with Franklin Roosevelt as President.

Harry became president when Franklin Roosevelt died. Bess was not interested in politics. She did not like to speak in public. Yet Truman said she was his best advisor. She was his full partner in all decisions. Bess stayed in the background. She was a private person.

Bess did not like to entertain. She called the White House the great white jail. She felt her first duty was to her husband and child.

As First Lady, Bess answered every letter that she received. She was plain and sincere. Americans liked her. They called her Mrs. America.

The Trumans returned to their hometown when Harry’s presidency ended. They travelled and visited their daughter. Bess lived to age 97.