Martha Washington was the wife of George Washington, first president of the United States of America. She had eleven children, of whom one died young.
She was born on February 22, 1731, the ninth of sixteen children born to John and Mary Dandridge. Although her father died when she was five, her mother's property brought them into the highest social circles of colonial Virginia (though they were not wealthy). As a young woman she followed her mother's example of charitable works including raising money for widows and orphans.
Martha was so admired by both friends and neighbors that she was asked to act as surrogate for her friend's daughter
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This led to her first marriage to George Washington, which took place on February 22, 1759. The couple had eleven children together: one died in infancy; two were twins; four others died young; two others—George and Martha—survived to adulthood.
Washington's husband became the first President of the United States in 1789. While Washington was President, Martha served as First Lady.
She died on December 14, 1799.