In the midst of the momentum currently experienced in the United States just months before the presidential elections, and particularly the division within the Democratic Party regarding the continuation of its candidate Joe Biden, the name of First Lady Jill Biden has emerged as the most influential in her husband's decisions. This has consequently added the name of former First Lady Michelle Obama as an alternative candidate, alongside Hillary Clinton, who has already run for the presidency, highlighting what is described as "soft power" within presidential palaces.
Jill Biden has stood by her husband throughout his decades-long career, from his time as a senator for Delaware to his role as commander-in-chief. She often serves as the decisive voice behind many of his political choices. While the president frequently consults his family for significant decisions, Jill is one of a few senior advisors who hold considerable influence with him and can ultimately help determine whether it's time to withdraw from the race.
One day after her husband's disastrous performance in the first presidential debate, Jill Biden stood before wealthy donors at a fundraising event in New York, trying to explain what they all witnessed. She told them: "We won’t let 90 minutes decide the four years he spent as president.” She added, “When Joe falls, he gets back up, and that’s what we’re doing today.”
According to Katie Rogers’ book "The First Lady," Biden backed away from running for the presidency in 2004 when Jill Biden entered the room wearing an outfit that had the word "no" written on it. It is known that Biden married Jill in 1977 after five years following the tragic accident that killed his first wife Neilia and their daughter. He proposed to her five times before she was convinced to agree, after which she tried to maintain her academic career as an English professor in parallel with being the First Lady.
**The World's Most Powerful Woman**
With pressure from Democratic elites on President Biden to urge him to withdraw from the presidential race, the name of former First Lady Michelle Obama has emerged as a potential presidential candidate, given her beloved and inspiring persona in American society. She played a significant role in the success of her husband, Barack Obama, both during his campaign and while they were in the White House.
Michelle Obama was born in 1964 to a poor family in Chicago, where she shared a room and a bunk bed with her brother. She states in her memoirs that as a child, she never dreamt of the White House; she just wanted "a two-story house with stairs, a four-door wagon, and a dog." After high school, she attended Princeton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, then went on to Harvard Law School, where she met her future husband Obama while interning at Sidley Austin.
In 2010, Forbes magazine ranked her as the most powerful woman in the world, noting that Americans loved the First Lady more than her husband, the president, at that time. Rumors surfaced about Michelle running for the presidency in 2023, despite her statement in 2019 that her chances of running were zero. Her husband Obama humorously commented on that by saying, "There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Michelle not running for president."
**The Iron Lady**
Hillary Clinton, who has undergone a complete experience in politics—through party positions, her role as Secretary of State, and running in the presidential race against Donald Trump, who defeated her—was described during her time alongside her former president husband Bill Clinton in the White House as the "Iron Lady."
While referred to as “the First Lady,” her husband President Clinton had no qualms about acknowledging her role in his presidency, considering that when America chose him as its president, they simultaneously chose a second president in Hillary, with one difference: America pays for only one president's salary.
Sources of Hillary's power, born in 1947, stem from her character and innate talents. She hails from a middle-class family that, through her intelligence and desire to challenge and assert herself as a capable woman, emerged from studying law at Yale University. Like Jill, when Bill Clinton proposed to her, she rejected him multiple times as she wanted to focus on her future in Washington. It is said that Clinton did not tire of repeating his proposal.
Hillary Rodham's marriage to Bill Clinton did not cancel her intellect; she continued to work as a lawyer while he served as governor of Arkansas. Some say her salary at that time exceeded her husband's by a multiple. She was selected as one of the best 100 lawyers in the United States during that period and endured her husband's repeated romantic escapades.
Before Bill Clinton's presidency ended, Hillary ran for a Senate seat in one of America's key states (New York), winning the position twice in succession. She succeeded in raising huge amounts of money and spent enormous political funds to win.
When Hillary entered the presidential race in 2008, she brought with her a full arsenal of political power resources, being the top fundraiser among Democratic candidates, the most famous, and the one with the best chances of winning according to various polls. She entered the race with her years of experience in the White House, where it is said she visited over ninety countries while serving as First Lady.
The dilemma that may have led to Hillary's electoral defeats, whether in the party against Obama or later, is attributed by analysts to what they described as "overpowering force." The presence of Bill Clinton and his advisors behind her made her appear as a queen about to inherit the throne of the American republic, which caused her to generate many political opponents due to her strength.
**Ivanka vs. Melania**
While Melania Trump did not exhibit a significant role as First Lady in the White House, her daughter Ivanka Trump stepped in to play a large role during her father's campaign and while he was in office, though she decided to distance herself from politics after the events of the Capitol storming.
The book "The First Lady" mentions that Melania and Ivanka engaged in an "internal power struggle" during their four years in the role of First Lady, a role that Ivanka attempted to assume when Melania did not immediately move to the White House at the beginning of Donald Trump's term. It clarifies that the eldest daughter intended to somewhat cancel the role of the First Lady by controlling her residence "to serve the entire first family, not just the First Lady."
President Trump encouraged Ivanka to take on this role alongside Melania, telling reporters early in his term that his daughter "would assist her and work with her" during her duties as First Lady. However, Melania began a battle with her stepdaughter, whom she referred to as "the princess," leading to a rift between the two despite their close work with President Trump, as Ivanka served as an unpaid advisor.
**Brigitte Macron**
Outside of the United States, the news of French First Lady Brigitte Macron hardly goes unnoticed, since her separation from her husband and the father of her four children to connect with Macron, who is 25 years younger than her, and marry him while supporting him in his presidential battle to enter "the Élysée," has drawn significant attention.
Despite their marriage 15 years ago, their relationship dates back to high school when he was her student at the age of 15. They remained in contact until Macron entered college. Macron has stated about her role in his life that he owes her much: "I owe her a lot, as she has contributed to what I am today."
**Akshata Murthy**
Britain has witnessed several prime ministerial wives with influential roles, culminating with Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy, one of the country’s most famous businessmen, often referred to as India's Bill Gates, who played a significant role even before her husband reached the high office.
Murthy, an heiress to a multibillion-dollar fortune, attended Claremont McKenna College in California to study economics and French, before earning a diploma in fashion studies, and then worked for "Deloitte" and "Unilever," eventually obtaining an MBA from Stanford University.
The university was where she met Sunak, and they married in 2009, having two daughters. It is said she is the main reason for her husband's wealth, as they both worked together in the United States, and their massive fortune led some to question if Sunak is distanced from ordinary people, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.
Murthy did not seek to be in the spotlight, but her husband's rise to the top position in British politics placed her under scrutiny, especially regarding their tax situation, which almost jeopardized her husband’s political future before taking office.
In the past, some spouses of prime ministers, including Theresa May's husband, Philip May, remained out of the spotlight, while others, like human rights lawyer Cherie Blair, who continued her work after her husband Tony became Prime Minister, attracted more attention. Cherie Blair often made headlines due to her charity work and book deals.
**Kim's Sister and Daughter**
Expanding the scope, Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has gained significant influence, which is partially transitioning to his eldest daughter. In 2014, North Korean state media announced that Kim Yo Jong had taken a position as deputy director of the propaganda department of the Workers' Party of Korea, and within a year became the effective head of that agency. Her father held the same position during the regime of her grandfather, Kim Il Sung.
However, it is unusual for a woman, even from the Kim family, to reach such high ranks within the North Korean system. She is widely believed to be among the most powerful figures in the North Korean political apparatus, according to the British Encyclopedia, “Britannica.” Although she wielded significant influence within the North Korean regime, Kim Yo Jong remained relatively unknown to the outside world until 2018, when she attended the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongyang.
Kim Yo Jong has come to be viewed as an unusual and non-traditional instrument of North Korea's "soft power." Since then, she has participated in numerous high-level political sessions, sitting on presidential platforms, and has been described as one of the key influencers in decision-making in the country. She has also made strong statements against countries classified as "hostile," and has appeared with her brother several times during limited foreign visits.
Recently, the teenage daughter of leader Kim Jong Un, named Ju Ae, has been dubbed "the supreme guide," a term analysts confirmed is typically reserved for senior leaders, hinting that she might succeed her father in the future as she has appeared with him during several official events and visits to sensitive military sites.
**Olena Zelenska**
Little is known about Olena Zelenska, the wife of the Ukrainian president, and her clear political activity before the war in Ukraine began in the winter of 2022; however, the war changed her circumstances.
The former writer has become a familiar face in her country's politics, making official visits to various countries, representing her country at events, and holding political discussions to garner support on behalf of her husband. Among her notable political activities, she made an official visit to Serbia, known for its closeness to the Kremlin, where she conducted discussions to secure Belgrade's support and even secured a statement supporting her country’s territorial integrity.
The list seems to be extensive concerning women who have played powerful roles in presidential palaces globally. Although the behind-the-scenes facets of these roles do not appear publicly, what reaches the media shows that they are indeed influential in policy-making, to the extent that some reports state they rule from behind the curtain.
