Andrew Jackson's wife was Rachel Donelson Robards. They married in 1791, but their relationship was complicated by a legal dispute surrounding Rachel's previous marriage.
Rachel Donelson Robards: A Life Before Andrew Jackson
- Rachel was born in 1767 in Virginia.
- She married Lewis Robards in 1786.
- However, the marriage was plagued by problems, and Rachel later believed it was invalid.
- She and Robards separated, and Rachel began a relationship with Andrew Jackson.
- In 1791, they married, but the legality of the marriage was challenged because of the ongoing dispute with Robards.
The Marriage and its Aftermath
- The marriage of Andrew and Rachel Jackson was a source of controversy throughout his life.
- The legal battle surrounding Rachel's previous marriage, and the accusations of adultery, became a political issue during Jackson's presidential campaign.
- Rachel died in 1828, shortly after her husband was elected president.
- Andrew Jackson was deeply affected by his wife's death and blamed his political opponents for her demise.
A Lasting Legacy
- Rachel Jackson's life and relationship with Andrew Jackson continue to be studied and debated.
- She remains a significant figure in American history, not only as the wife of a president but also as a woman who faced challenges and controversy in her time.
