Lou Henry Hoover.

Lou Hoover Lou Henry

Born 29 Mar 1874 Waterloo, United States

Died 7 Jan 1944 New York City, United States

Citizenship United States

7 min read

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Apr 23, 2026

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TL;DR

Lou Henry Hoover was First Lady of the United States from 1929 to 1933. She spoke five languages, including Mandarin Chinese. The National Mining Hall of Fame inducted her in 1990. Her great-granddaughter is Margaret Hoover.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Lou Henry Hoover — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Lou Henry

Native Name Lou Hoover

PARENTS: Florence Weed Charles Delano Henry
SPOUSES: Herbert Hoover
CHILDREN: Allan Hoover

At a glance.

STATS

Lou Henry Hoover by the numbers — life, work, and family.

69 Years lived

1 Award

1 Marriage

1 Child

Who was Lou Henry Hoover?

BIOGRAPHY

Lou Henry Hoover — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

On 29 March 1874, Lou Henry was born in Waterloo, Iowa, to Florence Weed and Charles Delano Henry. She grew up in the American Midwest and attended multiple universities: San José State University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. At Stanford, she learned Latin and spoke five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Mandarin Chinese.

Career

Lou Henry Hoover was First Lady of the United States from 4 March 1929 to 4 March 1933. She spoke Mandarin Chinese, acquired during earlier residence in China, and also spoke Spanish, Italian, French, and English. No other First Lady spoke Mandarin.

Personal life

Lou Henry Hoover married Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. They had one son, Allan Hoover. She died on 7 January 1944 in New York City from an acute heart attack. Her great-granddaughter is political commentator Margaret Hoover.

Legacy

The Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame inducted Lou Henry Hoover. The National Mining Hall of Fame inducted her in 1990, two years after her husband Herbert Hoover. She is remembered as the First Lady who spoke Mandarin Chinese and for her mining heritage recognition.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Lou Henry Hoover — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Iowa Women's Hall of Fame

Did you know?

FACTS · 4

Little-known facts about Lou Henry Hoover — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Lou Henry Hoover was First Lady of the United States from 4 March 1929 to 4 March 1933.
Margaret Hoover, a political commentator, is the great-granddaughter of Lou Henry Hoover.
In 1990, the National Mining Hall of Fame inducted Lou Henry Hoover. Her husband President Herbert Hoover had been inducted two years earlier in 1988.
Lou Henry Hoover spoke five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Mandarin Chinese. She also learned Latin at Stanford University.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 40

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Lou Henry Hoover.

When was Lou Henry Hoover born?

Lou Henry Hoover was born on 29 March 1874 in Waterloo, Iowa. She was the daughter of Florence Weed and Charles Delano Henry.
Where was Lou Henry Hoover born?

Lou Henry Hoover was born in Waterloo, Iowa, USA. She entered the world on 29 March 1874.
When did Lou Henry Hoover die?

Lou Henry Hoover died on 7 January 1944 in New York City. She was 69 years old at the time.
How old was Lou Henry Hoover when she died?

Lou Henry Hoover was 69 years old when she died on 7 January 1944. She passed away in New York City.
Where did Lou Henry Hoover die?

Lou Henry Hoover died in New York City, New York, USA. She passed away on 7 January 1944.
How did Lou Henry Hoover die?

Lou Henry Hoover died from an acute heart attack. Her death occurred on 7 January 1944 in New York City.
What was Lou Henry Hoover's birth name?

Lou Henry Hoover’s birth name was Lou Henry. She was born on 29 March 1874 in Waterloo, Iowa.
What nationality was Lou Henry Hoover?

Lou Henry Hoover was American. She was born in Waterloo, Iowa, USA.
What languages did Lou Henry Hoover speak?

Lou Henry Hoover was fluent in five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Mandarin Chinese. She also learned Latin at Stanford University.
Did Lou Henry Hoover speak Mandarin Chinese?

Yes, Lou Henry Hoover spoke Mandarin Chinese fluently. She was one of the few First Ladies to be multilingual in this way.
Who were Lou Henry Hoover's parents?

Lou Henry Hoover’s parents were Florence Weed and Charles Delano Henry. She was born on 29 March 1874 in Waterloo, Iowa.
Who was Lou Henry Hoover married to?

Lou Henry Hoover was married to Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. They had one son together.
Did Lou Henry Hoover have children?

Yes, Lou Henry Hoover had one child, a son named Allan Hoover. He was her only child with Herbert Hoover.
Who is Lou Henry Hoover's child?

Lou Henry Hoover’s child is Allan Hoover. He is her son with Herbert Hoover.
Where did Lou Henry Hoover go to school?

Lou Henry Hoover attended San José State University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. She learned Latin at Stanford.
What awards did Lou Henry Hoover win?

Lou Henry Hoover was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame. She also received posthumous recognition from the National Mining Hall of Fame in 1990.
How many awards did Lou Henry Hoover win?

Lou Henry Hoover earned at least two major honors: the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame and the National Mining Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the latter in 1990.
How tall was Lou Henry Hoover?

Lou Henry Hoover was 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is about 1.73 meters. She was taller than the average woman of her time.
Who is Margaret Hoover related to Lou Henry Hoover?

Margaret Hoover is the great-granddaughter of Lou Henry Hoover. Margaret is a political commentator and author.
When was Lou Henry Hoover inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame?

Lou Henry Hoover was inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame in 1990. Her husband Herbert Hoover had been inducted in 1988.
Was Herbert Hoover also inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame?

Yes, President Herbert Hoover was inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame in 1988, two years before his wife. Both were recognized for their contributions to the mining industry.
What is the National Mining Hall of Fame?

The National Mining Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the mining industry. Both Lou Henry Hoover and Herbert Hoover are members.
What roles did Lou Henry Hoover serve?

Lou Henry Hoover served as the First Lady of the United States from 1929 to 1933. She was also a linguist and a supporter of mining heritage.
What years was Lou Henry Hoover First Lady?

Lou Henry Hoover served as First Lady from 4 March 1929 to 4 March 1933. This was during the presidency of Herbert Hoover.
Did Lou Henry Hoover learn Latin?

Yes, Lou Henry Hoover learned Latin at Stanford University. She also became fluent in five modern languages.
What universities did Lou Henry Hoover attend?

Lou Henry Hoover attended San José State University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. She completed her studies at Stanford.
Did Lou Henry Hoover attend Stanford?

Yes, Lou Henry Hoover attended Stanford University. She studied there and learned Latin.
How many children did Lou Henry Hoover have?

Lou Henry Hoover had one child, Allan Hoover, with her husband Herbert Hoover. She was a devoted mother.
Who is Lou Henry Hoover's spouse?

Lou Henry Hoover’s spouse was Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. They were married until her death in 1944.
What was Lou Henry Hoover's native name?

Lou Henry Hoover’s native name is Lou Hoover. She was known by this name to her family and friends.
What was Lou Henry Hoover's height in centimeters?

Lou Henry Hoover’s height was 1.73 meters, which is 173 centimeters. She was 5 feet 8 inches.
When did Lou Henry Hoover become First Lady?

Lou Henry Hoover became First Lady on 4 March 1929. She served until 4 March 1933.
How long did Lou Henry Hoover serve as First Lady?

Lou Henry Hoover served as First Lady for exactly four years, from March 1929 to March 1933. This was a single term.
What is the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame?

The Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame honors women from Iowa who have made significant contributions to society. Lou Henry Hoover was inducted into it.
What languages did Lou Henry Hoover learn at Stanford?

At Stanford, Lou Henry Hoover learned Latin and improved her skills in other languages. She ultimately spoke five languages fluently.
Who was Lou Henry Hoover's great-granddaughter?

Lou Henry Hoover’s great-granddaughter is Margaret Hoover. She is a well-known political commentator.
Did Lou Henry Hoover speak Spanish?

Yes, Lou Henry Hoover spoke Spanish fluently. It was one of the five languages she mastered.
Did Lou Henry Hoover speak French?

Yes, French was among the five languages Lou Henry Hoover spoke fluently. She used her skills in diplomacy.
Did Lou Henry Hoover speak Italian?

Yes, Italian was one of the five languages Lou Henry Hoover commanded. Her linguistic abilities were remarkable.
What is Lou Henry Hoover's full name?

Lou Henry Hoover’s full name is Lou Henry Hoover. Her birth name was Lou Henry.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on April 23, 2026

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