LUCY MERCER

Lucy Mercer was born in Washington, D.C. on April 26th, 1891. She was from a prosperous and powerful Catholic family, but her own parents lost their wealth during The Financial Panic of 1893. They separated soon after their daughter was born. As such, Lucy had access to some privileges, such as private schooling, while still needing to maintain her own employment. She was working at dress shop in 1914, when Eleanor Roosevelt offered her a job as her social secretary. While she was acting in this capacity, Lucy began an affair with Franklin Roosevelt. Eleanor found out about their relationship in 1918 and forbid her husband to continue seeing Mercer. However, the pair would not abide by his wife’s ultimatum. They continued to see one another throughout their lives. After leaving D.C., Mercer went on to work as a governess for the children of a wealthy widower. In 1920, the two wed in New York City. Lucy raised her five step-children and had one daughter of her own. She died on July 31, 1948.