ABSTRACT
As fi rst lady, Onassis devoted much time to making the White House a showplace and gave the fi rst televised tour of the house in 1962. She turned traditional state dinners into elegant but more casual affairs, with guests that included artists, writers, and musicians. The way she dressed, especially the pillbox hats she wore, became fashionable. Most important of all, Onassis was relaxed conversing with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, and her charm was instrumental in contributing to the popularity of her husband’s presidency.
