Julia Tyler, the Most Controversial First Lady of the 1800s
By Stuart Wolf - Jun 9, 2025

After President John Tyler's wife passed away, he secretly married 24-year-old Julia Gardiner, a notoriously flirtatious New York socialite and siren. The first celebrity First Lady turned the White House into a European Court, introduced the Waltz and Polka dances, and rode around Washington, DC in a coach pulled by eight white Arabian horses! So join us as we get to know Julia Gardiner Tyler, the most controversial First Lady of the 1800s.
The Future First Lady Is Born
Julia Gardiner was born into an elite family on Gardiner's Island, New York, on May 4th, 1820. Her mother, Juliana MacLachlan Gardiner, was born in Jamaica. When Juliana’s father — successful brewer and real estate owner Michael McLachlan — passed away in 1819, she inherited "thirteen pieces of commercial and residential Manhattan real estate" and became one of New York's wealthiest women.

Julia's father, David Gardiner (pictured), had been a highly respected and well-paid lawyer before serving as New York State Senator and becoming a landowner.