11 Controversial Stories About First Families in the White House

4. President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln

Like President Abraham Lincoln didn’t have it tough enough, what with the Southern states seceding from the Union and all, but his White House home life was also wrought with drama. His wife, Mary Lincoln Todd, came from a family where several members served the Confederate army. Additionally, Mary suffered from debilitating migraines and depression throughout her tenure as First Lady. She was known for terrible mood swings, public outbursts, a fierce temper, and excessive spending, leading many historians to believe she was bipolar. However, Mary also visited military hospitals around Washington D.C. to deliver fruit and flowers to the wounded, and wrote soldiers letters of comfort. So it wasn’t all bad with Mrs. Lincoln.