15 Facts About Bess Abell

Elizabeth "Bess" Hughes Abell was an American presidential aide.

Bess Abell was the White House social secretary in the Lyndon B Johnson administration.

Bess Abell later worked in public relations and then as executive assistant to Second Lady of the United States Joan Mondale.

Bess Abell's father, Earle Clements, was a member of the House of Representatives, governor of Kentucky and a United States senator.

In 1960, Bess Abell volunteered to work for the Democratic Campaign Committee, where she answered mail for Lady Bird Johnson.

When Lyndon B Johnson was elected vice president, Abell became a part-time secretary to Mrs Johnson.

The Johnsons regularly entertained both large and small groups, and Bess Abell took charge of everything from the invitations to the seating, and entertaining of the guests.

Bess Abell helped organize the weddings of the Johnsons' daughters, Luci and Lynda in 1966 and 1967.

When planning a White House Festival of the Arts in 1965, Abell preferred to invite artists and performers, but she clashed with the historian Eric F Goldman, who as special assistant to the president included poets, novelists, and other writers.

Bess Abell's clients ranged from politicians to publishers and journalists.

From 1977 to 1981, Bess Abell served as executive assistant to Joan Mondale, helping the Mondales become the first vice-presidential family to occupy their official residence.

Bess Abell aided Joan Mondale's efforts to promote American art.

In later years, Bess Abell worked with her husband to develop Merry-Go-Round Farm in Potomac, Maryland, as a horse farm and residential community, while providing advice to her successors as White House Social Secretary.

Bess Abell died on October 9,2020, of complications from Alzheimer's disease at her home in Potomac, Maryland.

Bess Abell had served as a member of the National Archives Foundation and the University of Kentucky Libraries National Advisory Board.