Facts about Pat Nixon - First Lady , "Plastic Pat"
Pat Nixon undertook the role of First Lady to Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States who served in office from January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974.  What was the life of Pat Nixon like? The Facts about Pat Nixon covers important information, dates and interesting facts about her birth, her early life, her family, her personality with a biography and the accomplishments of Pat Nixon as the First Lady of the United States of America.

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Facts about Pat Nixon: Fact Sheet of Pat Nixon
Facts and Info: This fast fact sheet provides important information about Pat Nixon, First Lady of the United States of America.

Pat Nixon Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President Richard Nixon

Date Pat Nixon entered White House as First Lady: January 20, 1969

When and where was Pat Nixon born?  

She was born on March 16, 1912 in Ely, Nevada and named Thelma “Patricia” Catherine Ryan

The name of her parents: William Ryan & Katharina Halberstadt Bender Ryan

She was his wife

The couple married on June 21, 1940

The names of her children are Patricia “Tricia” (1946 – present), Julie (1948 – present)

Pat Nixon was educated at Fullerton Junior College in Fullerton, California and received a Masters in merchandising and teacher’s certificate at University of Southern California

Pat Nixon died of lung cancer on June 11, 1993

Pat Nixon Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President Richard Nixon

Picture of Pat Nixon

Facts about Pat Nixon: Fast Overview of Events in the White House
Facts and Info: Pat Nixon assumed the position of First Lady to President Richard Nixon. She witnessed the important events of his presidency that included the SALT Agreement, Neil Armstrong walking on the moon and his diplomatic visit to China. Her husband became the only U.S. President to resign his office, due to his involvement in the Watergate break-in and cover-up scandal.

Personality and Character: Pat Nixon Quotes
Facts and Info: An insight into the personal views, character and personality of this First Lady may be obtained from the following Pat Nixon quotes:

"I’ve never had it easy. I’ve never had time to think about things like...who I wanted to be or whom I admired,
or to have ideas. I never had time to dream about being anyone else. I had to work." Pat Nixon Quote

"You know I have great faith in my husband. I happen to love him." Pat Nixon Quote

"I have complete faith that everything’s going to be all right. I’m not going to say they let him down until they find out whether they did or not. You know, really and truly there hasn’t been anything that happened for sure, yet.
I’ll have faith until I’m proven wrong." Pat Nixon Quote

Facts about Pat Nixon: Her Nickname or Pet Name - "Plastic Pat"
Facts and Info: The First Lady, Pat Nixon, was known as Plastic Pat a derogatory nickname reflecting the permanent false 'plastic' smile she kept on her face regardless of difficult circumstances she found herself in. Her birth name was Thelma Patricia Catherine Ryan on St Patrick's day and given the pet name of Pat that stayed throughout her life.

Facts about Pat Nixon: First Events
Facts and Info: Pat Nixon travelled extensively in her role covering more than 100,000 miles as First Lady visiting 83 countries.

Facts about the Causes and Accomplishments of Pat Nixon
Facts and Info: First Ladies are not elected so have no official role. Their accomplishments are therefore based on their own particular wishes that ranged from political interests, humanitarian and charitable causes or duties relating to their family or social responsibilities. The causes and accomplishments of Pat Nixon were demonstrated in her support of the Equal Rights Amendment and Volunteerism.

Facts about Pat Nixon: The Early Life of Pat Nixon
Facts and Info: Thelma “Patricia” Catherine Ryan was born on March 16, 1912 in Ely, Nevada. Her parents were William Ryan & Katharina Halberstadt Bender Ryan. Her father called her his St. Patrick's Day baby and she later changed her name to Patricia. Her father worked the hard life of a miner until the family moved to California and settled on a small truck farm near Los Angeles. Her mother died when Pat was 13 years old and she looked after her father and two elder brothers. It was a hard life and there was limited money in the family. Her father died of silicosis, minors lung when Pat was 17 years old. Despite her difficult start in life Pat She enrolled at Fullerton Junior College in 1931 and then managed to work her way through the University of Southern California on a scholarship basis. Pat moved to the Quaker community of Whittier, California where she taught typing at Whittier Union High School. She was a popular teacher with a good sense of humor and drive. She set high standards for her student and was strong on discipline. Pat met lawyer Richard Nixon in 1938 at a local theater group, the Whittier Community Players. They were married in a Quaker service in Riverside, California on June 21, 1940. The Wedding ceremony was prophetically held in the presidential suite of the Mission Inn. In 1946 Richard Nixon ran for congress and the couple moved to Washington DC. They had 2 children; Patricia "Tricia" Nixon(1946 – present) and Julie Nixon (1948 – present). In 1952 Richard Nixon was elected vice president of the US, serving under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Facts about Pat Nixon: Life at the White House
Facts and Info: Richard Nixon was elected President of the United States and Pat Nixon assumed the role as First Lady on January 20, 1969. Pat Nixon was an enthusiastic First Lady who had already played a substantial role in the success of her husband. Pat was politically savvy, astute and intelligent. She performed her role as social hostess with a bright smile and had the knack of making all guests feel welcome and important. Pat Nixon had drive and was hard working. She performed her duties well and made changes at the White House to include facilities for foreign language visitors and visitors with physical disabilities together with the introduction of descriptive brochures about the White House. Pat Nixon was also instrumental in acquiring over six hundred paintings and pieces of furniture for the White House. Pat Nixon also directed her attention to various social issues including volunteerism, encouraging Americans to perform social or educational work in communities. Pat Nixon also served as a member of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. The Nixon administration and President Nixon then became embroiled in the Watergate Scandal. In July 1974 the House of Representatives passed first of three articles of impeachment and the Supreme Court ordered the White House to hand over 64 tapes of conversations. Pat Nixon supported her husband and urged him fight the articles of impeachment. His attempts failed and on August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his intention to resign the office of the presidency. The presidency of the disgraced President ended on August 9, 1974.

Facts about Pat Nixon: Life after the White House
Facts and Info: The next US President was Gerald Ford who pardoned Richard Nixon. President Ford believed that the nation should not have to endure a long and embarrassing trial. In 1976, following the stress and aftermath of  Watergate, Pat Nixon suffered a stroke that partly paralyzed her. She died of lung cancer on June 11, 1993. Former President Richard Nixon on April 22, 1994. Richard and Pat Nixon were buried in Yorba Linda in California.