A history of acting first ladies

Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2014-8-11 18:29:49

Editor's note:

Cho Yoon-sun, South Korea's Gender Equality and Family Minister, was especially appointed to stand in as South Korea's first lady during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the country, CRIENGLISH.com reported on July 4.

Cho was chosen to accompany Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan during the visit as South Korea's President Park Geun-hye is currently unmarried.

"First lady," or wife of a head of state, plays an important role during diplomatic events.

However, an acting first lady is sometimes needed when the first lady position is vacant in order to carry out diplomatic protocol during state visits or other official events.

Occasion

An acting first lady is appointed if:

  • The first lady is unable to attend a diplomatic event  
  • A male state leader is unmarried
  • State leader is female       


Candidates

A male leader may choose from among his female relatives, such as his daughter, mother or daughter-in-law.

In certain cases, the president's girlfriend, a senior official's wife or ambassador are also eligible.

Requirements

  • Usually an official above vice-ministerial level
  • Engaged in education or work related to women issues


Acting first ladies in history:


  • Daughter

Park Geun-hye (second from left), serves as acting first lady for her father, South Korean president Park Chung-hee, during a state visit from US president Jimmy Carter and family in Seoul, South Korea on June 30, 1979. Park Geun-hye served as acting first lady for five years after her mother Yuk Young-soo was tragically shot dead during an assassination attempt on president Park Chung-hee on August 15, 1974. Photo: IC/ycwb.com



  • Niece

James Buchanan, the 15th president of the US, never married and had his niece Harriet Lane (above) act as first lady from 1857 to 1861. Photo: ycwb.com


  • Mother

Andrée Sarkozy (second from right), 81, acts as first lady during former French president Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to China at the Great Hall of the People on November 26, 2007. Sarkozy had just divorced his wife, Cécilia. Photo: IC/ycwb.com



  • Girlfriend

French President Francois Hollande visits the Palace Museum in Beijing with his then-girlfriend Valerie Trierweiler on April 26, 2013. Trierweiler had acted as first lady during her relationship with Hollande. They broke up in January of 2014. Photo: IC/ycwb.com



  • Daughter-in-law

Eighth US president Martin Van Buren appointed his daughter-in-law, Angelica Singleton Van Buren, to act as first lady after his wife Hannah passed away. Photo: xinhuanet.com



  • Ambassador

Caroline Kennedy, US ambassador to Japan, accompanied US President Barack Obama during his visit to Japan in April 2014. Photo: people.com.cn



  • Wife of senior official 

Kiyoko Fukuda, wife of Yasuo Fukuda, Japan's former chief Cabinet secretary, accompanies US first lady Laura Bush on a stroll in the garden of the state guesthouse in Tokyo on February 18, 2002. Kiyoko Fukuda was appointed as acting first lady after then prime minister Junichiro Koizumi divorced his wife. Photo: IC/ycwb.com



  • Female official

Cho Yoon-sun (first from left), South Korea's Gender Equality and Family Minister, accompanies Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, during her visit to historical site Changdeokgung in Seoul, South Korea on July 3, 2014. Photo: cri.cn



Source: Beijing Times-ycwb.com

Web Editor: liyingxa@globaltimes.com.cn



Posted in: Diplomatic Channel

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