Pat Nixon was never comfortable in the public spotlight that shines on families of political officeholders. She had grown accustomed to it as her husband, Richard Nixon (1913-1994; see entry in volume 5), served two terms in Congress and then was elected senator in 1950. In 1952, she was warming to her public position as the wife of the vice presidential candidate. But when the Nixons had to reveal their personal finances to counter charges in the press that Nixon had received secret funds, she strongly disliked the invasion of privacy and became less accessible to the media.

As first lady, Pat Nixon gradually became a more public figure. She traveled to Peru after an earthquake there to help with relief efforts; she made trips to Africa and South America in the diplomat position of personal representative of the president; and she traveled around the United States to meet...