Lehand, Marguerite

(1898-1944)

   Born in Potsdam, New York, Marguerite LeHand qualified as a secretary after leaving high school and worked at the Democratic Party National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., before becoming the private secretary to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1920. She remained with Roosevelt through his political career until she suffered a stroke in 1941. Known as “Missy” in the Roosevelt family, LeHand had an extremely close relationship with the president and acted as hostess at official functions when Eleanor Roosevelt was absent. Although she predeceased him, the president had willed her half of his estate.