Hannah Van Buren

Hannah Hoes Van Buren was the wife of the eighth President of the United States, Martin Van Buren. Very little is known about her as she died from tuberculosis in 1819, before Martin Van Buren became president. He never remarried and was one of the few Presidents widowed in office.

Marriage and children

Hannah Hoes married her childhood friend and cousin Martin Van Buren in 1807 when she was 23 and he was 24. They had five children, one of whom died in infancy.

Death

Hannah Hoes died from tuberculosis on February 5, 1819, at age 35. During Van Buren's term, his daughter-in-law Angelica acted as hostess of the White House and First Lady of the United States. When writing his autobiography, Van Buren did not mention his wife once, possibly to shield her from public references.