Letitia Tyler was already sick when her husband took office. Letitia had a stroke two years before. The stroke left her unable to move about easily. Her daughter-in-law acted as White House hostess. Letitia ran the household from the second floor. She only visited the first floor for her daughter's wedding. Letitia died partway through her husband's term. She was the first First Lady to die in the White House.

Little is recorded about Letitia's life. She was rich and Southern. Her family lived on a large plantation. A plantation was a large Southern farm. As a girl, she was likely taught to sew and knit, sing, and play piano. Her family owned slaves. She learned how to oversee the slaves in the main house.

The Tylers had many children. There were three sons and four daughters. Letitia raised them. She took care of the home. She read the Bible. Her family's wealth and social standing helped John Tyler's career.

On February 7, 1842, Letitia Tyler had another stroke. She died seven months later. Americans were very upset when Letitia died. Black bunting was hung on the White House. The city bells tolled. Yet the public had hardly known this First Lady.