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Lucy Mercer Rutherford is most well-known for being the mistress of President Franklin Roosevelt. While FDR told his wife Eleanor that he ended the affair in 1918, Lucy Mercer was by his side on the day he died.

Early Life

Lucy Page Mercer Rutherfurd was born on April 26, 1891, in Washington, D.C.

While she was born into a wealthy family and educated at private schools, her family’s subsequent financial misfortunes required her to work. In 1914, Eleanor Roosevelt hired Mercer as her social secretary.

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Mercer assisted Eleanor with the social obligations associated with FDR’s political career and became an indispensable member of the household.

Affair With FDR

Sometime during 1916, Mercer and FDR began their affair.

After she left her position as Eleanor’s secretary, Mercer enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to FDR’s office, as he was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy at the time. They continued their relationship until 1918, when Eleanor discovered a package