“Any lady who is first lady likes being first lady. I don’t care what they say, they like it.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“Any lady who is first lady likes being first lady. I don’t care what they say, they like it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Richard Nixon offers a sweeping and somewhat presumptive view about the role of First Lady, suggesting that regardless of public comments to the contrary, women in that position enjoy the status, visibility, and influence it brings. The phrasing—“I don’t care what they say, they like it”—implies a belief that the public statements of some First Ladies downplaying their enjoyment or interest in the role are disingenuous or modest deflections.
This comment reflects Nixon’s traditional views on gender roles and the ceremonial aspects of political life. His own wife, Pat Nixon, was known for being reserved and publicly unassuming, often portrayed as dutiful rather than ambitious. Yet even within that context, the First Lady held symbolic power, social responsibility, and a unique platform. Nixon’s remark may have been intended to underscore the prestige of the role, but it also comes across as patronizing, assuming universal experience while downplaying individual differences and potential struggles that come with the position.
In today’s cultural climate, this quote invites scrutiny. It touches on broader themes of gender expectations, public service, and autonomy, especially for women in political or supportive roles. Modern First Ladies have redefined the role in various ways—some embracing it, others resisting its constraints. Nixon’s comment serves as a historical snapshot of a more rigid, male-centered political mindset, and reminds us how far public understanding of such roles—and the acknowledgment of women’s agency and individuality—has evolved since his time.
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