The Mysterious Life of Mrs. Nixson: The Life and Times of Washington's Most Private First Lady by Heath Hardage Lee: A Book Review

The Mysterious Life of Mrs. Nixson: The Life and Times of Washington’s Most Private First Lady

Author: Heath Hardage Lee

Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography 

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Book Release Date: 2024

Pages: 403

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: A new, revolutionary look into the brilliant life of Pat Nixon.

       In America’s collective consciousness, Pat Nixon has long been perceived as enigmatic. She was voted “Most Admired Woman in the World” in 1972 and made Gallup Poll’s top ten list of most admired women fourteen times. She survived the turmoil of the Watergate scandal with her popularity and dignity intact. The real Pat Nixon, however, bore little resemblance to the woman so often described as elusive, mysterious and “plastic” in the press. Pat married Richard Nixon in June of 1940. As the couple rose to prominence, Pat became Second Lady from 1953-1961 and then First Lady from 1969-1974, forging her own graceful path between the protocols of the strait-laced mid-century and the bra-burning Sixties and Seventies.

        Pat was a highly travelled First Lady, visiting eighty-three countries during her tenure. After a devastating earthquake in Peru in 1970, she personally flew in medical supplies and food to hard-hit areas, meeting one-on-one with victims of the tragedy. The First Lady’s 1972 trips with her husband to China and to Russia were critical to the detente that resulted. Back in the US, Pat greatly expanded upon previous preservation efforts in the White House, obtaining more art and antique objects than any other First Lady. In the domestic arena, she was progressive on women’s issues, favoring the Equal Rights Amendment and backing a targeted effort to get more women into high level government jobs. Pat strongly supported nominating a woman for the Supreme Court. She was pro-choice, supporting women’s reproductive rights publicly even before the landmark Roe v. Wade case in 1973.

       When asked to define her “signature” First Lady agenda, she defied being put into a box, often saying: “People are my project.” The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon, Heath Hardage Lee presents readers with the essential nature of this First Lady, an empathetic, adventurous, self-made woman who wanted no power or influence, but who connected warmly with both ordinary Americans and people from different cultures she encountered world-wide.

      My Review: Pat Nixson was best known to be the most traveled First Lady of the United States. She visited Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. However, Pat Nixson remains a mysterious figure. There have been many rumors about her that have blackened her reputation. This biography separates fact from fiction. It shows her as a wife, mother, and Richard Nixson’s political partner.

       Pat Nixson's real first name was Thelma. She became an orphan during her adolescence. She was an extra in Hollywood films. However, she decided to become a teacher. She met her future husband, Richard Nixson when they were both in a local play. When she decided to marry, she wondered if she would be fit to be a First Lady. Even though she was not a feminist, she believed in women’s rights. She believed that women could both be leaders as well as a mother. She wanted women to have more jobs in the government. She even wanted a female president. She was also for a woman’s reproductive rights. Pat Nixson also traveled around the world visiting foreign leaders. Pat Nixson also worked hard to keep President Nixson in office after the Watergate scandal and was very disappointed that he resigned. Even though Pat Nixson was First Lady, her greatest pride and joy was in her two daughters.

       Overall, this was a very straightforward and easy to read biography. I like that Mrs. Lee did not go on random tangents, but stays focused on her subject. She also does very little speculation. Because excessive speculation and going off on random tangents have been part of a trend in recent biographies, this one was very refreshing. I wish many biographies would go back to a straightforward retelling of the facts. I also did not know much about Pat Nixson. After reading this, I came away knowing more of her. I found her to be a very likable First Lady. While there were some of her choices that I disagreed with, I did admire that she always put her family first! This biography also makes clear that Pat Nixson deserves more attention than she has recently been getting, especially since she has been overshadowed by Jacqueline Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson. I hope to look out for more biographies of her in the future! I recommend this book for fans of First Ladies! The Mysterious Life of Mrs. Nixson is the perfect read for fans of Blanche Weisen Cook, Betty Boyd Caroli, and Lewis L. Gould!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars!