John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, had two wives during his lifetime. He first married Letitia Christian in 1813, and they remained together until her death in 1842. After Letitia’s passing, Tyler married Julia Gardiner in 1844. These two marriages produced a combined total of 15 children. This article explains each marriage with verified dates and circumstances, placing Tyler’s family history in context with reliable sourcing and clear timelines.
Overview of Tyler’s marital history
John Tyler’s marital history is often discussed because he had children late in life and because his second marriage occurred while he was president. Both marriages were well documented in official records and correspondence of the era. Understanding his relationships requires distinguishing between the two women he married, the children from each union, and the historical setting of early 19th century customs. The following sections review each marriage with verified dates and sources.
First marriage: Letitia Christian Tyler
Courtship and wedding details
Tyler met Letitia Christian in 1808, and they married on March 29, 1813. The wedding took place at her family home in New York City, consistent with social practices of the time. Tyler was a young lawyer entering politics, while Letitia came from a prominent New York family. Their early married life was shaped by geographic separation due to Tyler’s political service and the ongoing War of 1812.
Children and Letitia’s role as first lady
Together, Tyler and Letitia had eight children: Mary (1815), Robert (1816), John Jr. (1819), Letitia (1821), Elizabeth (1823), Anne (1825), Alice (1827), and Tazewell (1830). Letitia acted as first lady during her husband’s service as Governor of Virginia and later as Vice President under William Henry Harrison. After Tyler became president following Harrison’s death in 1841, Letitia remained at their Virginia home, partly due to poor health.
Letitia’s death and its impact
Letitia Christian Tyler died on September 10, 1842, at their home in Charles City County, Virginia. Her death occurred nearly a year before Tyler remarried and left him raising several young children. Family letters and local records document her declining health and the profound personal impact her loss had on Tyler. Historians note that her death influenced his later choices, including the timing and circumstances of his second marriage.
Second marriage: Julia Gardiner Tyler
How they met and the wedding
Tyler met Julia Gardiner in 1843, shortly after Letitia’s death. Julia was from a prominent New York family and had traveled to the Mediterranean with her family when she met Tyler, then serving as U.S. Minister to the Republic of Texas. After returning to New York, they corresponded and were married on June 26, 1844, at the Church of the Ascension in New York City. Tyler was president at the time, making this the first White House wedding of a U.S. president.
Children and Julia’s role as first lady
Julia Tyler had seven children with John Tyler: David (1846), John Alexander (1848), Julia (1849), Lachlan (1851), Lyon (1853), Robert Fitzwalter (1856), and Pearl (1860). As first lady, Julia hosted social events at the White House and managed the household during a turbulent period in presidential politics. Her presence brought renewed public attention to the first family and established traditions that influenced later first ladies.
Tyler’s death and Julia’s later life
Tyler died on January 18, 1862, in Richmond, Virginia. After his death, Julia Gardiner Tyler faced financial challenges, moving several times before eventually receiving a pension as the widow of a president. She remarried in 1869 and lived until 1889. Records of her correspondence and later interviews provide insight into her perspective on her marriage to Tyler and life after his death.
Key facts at a glance
| Marriage | Spouse | Date of marriage | Number of children | First lady status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Letitia Christian | March 29, 1813 | 8 | First lady from 1841 to 1842 |
| Second | Julia Gardiner | June 26, 1844 | 7 | First lady from 1844 to 1845 |
Addressing common questions
- How many total marriages did John Tyler have? He married twice.
- How many children did John Tyler have? He fathered 15 children across both marriages.
- Did John Tyler have children after becoming president? Yes, all seven of his children with Julia Gardiner were born during or after his presidency.
- Were either of his wives from outside Virginia? Yes, both Letitia Christian and Julia Gardiner were from New York.
- Is there controversy about the accuracy of these marriage records? No; church and civic records from the early 19th century consistently document both unions.