Has an unmarried man ever been elected President?

by [deleted]

If not, how close did one get?

Phil_Laysheo

The 15th president James Buchanan was unwed I believe. His niece acted as the first lady. Today of course the chances of this happening are almost impossible

Inkshooter

Thomas Jefferson was a widower when he was President of the United States, though he was married earlier in life.

Hikari-SC

Grover Cleveland was a bachelor when elected in 1884. He married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room of the White House in 1886.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Cleveland#Marriage_and_children

Naberius

Sort of landing around your question, three presidents got married while in office. Cleveland, who is mentioned somewhere else in the thread was the only one who had been a bachelor.

Both John Tyler and Woodrow Wilson were widowers who remarried while in office.

There were quite a few widowed Presidents actually. Notably, Andrew Jackson's wife died of a heart attack between his election and inauguration. She was buried in the dress she'd picked out for the inauguration.

Searocksandtrees

OP can you clarify: is this question restricted to the USA, or presidents anywhere?

AdolfHidekiStalin

I'm curious as to what would the husband of a female president would be called. First Gentleman prehaps?