In poor health throughout her husband's presidency, Ida McKinley struggled to fulfill all the social duties expected of a first lady, but she remained a solid political partner for President William McKinley. 

She was known for being an opinionated political adviser who wanted to uphold as many of a first lady's duties as she possibly could. She once preferred to clear an entire season's social calendar than delegate her hostess responsibilities. Her husband was a doting and devoted partner right up until his death; he was assassinated in 1901.

Served: 1897 - 1901, with an assist from second lady Jennie Hobart.