10 Eleanor Roosevelt Interesting Facts

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the wife of the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who is also the longest-sitting president in American history. She was the most beloved and charismatic First Lady who became an inspiration to many while she was at the White House. We list out some little-known and interesting facts you should know about Eleanor Roosevelt. 

10 Eleanor Roosevelt Interesting Facts

1. Eleanor Roosevelt biography: She was born into a wealthy and politically prominent family with a distinguished heritage. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the US, was her uncle from her father’s side. Roosevelt’s parents died when she was 10 and she was raised by her relatives.
2. Eleanor was 5’10 feet tall. She once said that the happiest moment of her life was when she made her school’s field hockey team.
3. She organized press conferences exclusively for women. During the 1930s, women journalists were not allowed in any media events in the White House.
4. Amelia Earhart, an aviation pioneer, offered a ride to Eleanor that she accepted. In 1933, she took a flight from Washington, DC to Baltimore.
5. Eleanor was nicknamed Granny by her mother for her proper etiquette from a very young age.
6. She wrote a syndicated column in a newspaper entitled “My Day” from 1935 to 1962. Eleanor wrote about her perspective on political views and personal life. Pearl Harbor is one of the hot topics she covered.
7. Eleanor earned 48 honorary degrees, whereas her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt had 31.
8. Elanor was the first First Lady to appear in commercials. She advertised margarine and told the viewers that she spread it on her toast every morning. She earned $35,000 from the commercial, which she used to fund impoverished families.
9. Elanor was a civil rights activist. She fought for women’s rights, supported women in political and professional positions, and raised her voice against the abolition of child labor.
10. She wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It was written to prevent the war.

How did Eleanor Roosevelt Die

Eleanor Roosevelt passed away on November 7, 1962, at the age of 78. Her death was attributed to a combination of health issues:

• Aplastic anemia: This is a rare condition where the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough red blood cells.
• Tuberculosis: It’s believed she had a dormant tuberculosis infection that was reactivated later in life.
• Heart failure: This likely stemmed from the stress her body endured due to the other conditions.

Eleanor Roosevelts Quotes

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”

“Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”

“You not only have a right to be an individual. You have a responsibility.”