Margaret Truman

Margaret Truman
Truman in 1951
Truman in 1951
BornMary Margaret Truman
(1924-02-17)February 17, 1924
Independence, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJanuary 29, 2008(2008-01-29) (aged 83)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Resting placeHarry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, Missouri, U.S.
OccupationSinger, writer, historian
Alma materGeorge Washington University (BA)
GenreMystery fiction, biography, autobiography
Years active1947–2008
Spouse
(m. 1956; died 2000)
Children4, including Clifton Truman Daniel
Parents

Mary Margaret Truman Daniel (February 17, 1924 – January 29, 2008) was an American classical soprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywide whistle-stop campaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media.[1]

After graduating from George Washington University in 1946, she embarked on a career as a coloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings for RCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs like What's My Line? and The Bell Telephone Hour.[2]

In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the program Weekday with Mike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, President Harry S. Truman and mother Bess Truman.

She was married to journalist Clifton Daniel, managing editor of The New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite.[2]

  1. ^ Truman, by David McCullough, 1992
  2. ^ a b "Margaret Truman, 83, Singer and Author". The New York Sun. January 30, 2008. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2018.