Sarah Childress Polk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849 | |
| President | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | Julia Tyler |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Taylor |
| First Lady of Tennessee | |
| In role October 14, 1839 – October 15, 1841 | |
| Governor | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | Rachel Cannon |
| Succeeded by | Sarah Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sarah Childress September 4, 1803 Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | August 14, 1891 (aged 87) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Resting place | Tennessee State Capitol Nashville, Tennessee |
| Spouse | |
| Relations | Sarah Polk Fall (grandniece) |
| Education | Salem Academy |
| Signature |  |
Sarah Childress Polk (September 4, 1803 – August 14, 1891) was the first lady of the United States from 1845 to 1849. She was the wife of the 11th president of the United States, James K. Polk.
Well educated in a successful family, Sarah met her future husband at a young age. They never had children of their own, though they did foster relatives. Socially keen and well informed, Sarah helped her husband's career with her hosting skills and advised him on political matters at times, though she stayed out of the public limelight. Following her husband's death in 1849, Sarah had a 42-year widowhood, the longest of any First Lady.