15 Facts About Jane Muskie

Jane Frances Muskie was an American civic leader and writer who, as the wife of Edmund Muskie, served as First Lady of Maine from 1955 to 1959.

Jane Muskie was an active campaigner for her husband, supporting his political career on both state and national levels while he served in the Maine House of Representatives, as Governor of Maine, as a United States senator, and as Secretary of State.

Jane Muskie's husband called Loeb a "gutless coward" in an emotional public display that ultimately lost him the 1972 Democratic presidential primary.

Jane Muskie died there in 2004 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease and was buried, next to her husband, in Arlington National Cemetery.

Jane Muskie's father died when she was ten years old, after which her mother supported the family.

Jane Muskie was voted "prettiest in school" as student at Waterville High School.

Jane Muskie converted to Catholicism and switched over her political affiliation from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party shortly before getting married.

Jane Muskie assumed the role of First Lady of Maine upon her husband's inauguration as Governor of Maine in 1955.

Jane Muskie conducted most of the research used for the novel.

Jane Muskie campaigned relentlessly for her husband throughout his political career in both state and federal politics.

When Muskie's husband ran for president in 1972, William Loeb III published the "Canuck letter" in the Manchester Union Leader; a letter reportedly forged by Donald Segretti and Ken W Clawson that falsely accused Senator Muskie of being prejudiced against Americans of French-Canadian descent.

Loeb called into the question the character of Jane Muskie, accusing her of telling dirty jokes and smoking cigarettes, and using colorful language during his campaign, per an interview reprinted from the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.

Republicans used the incident to claim that Jane Muskie was emotionally unstable and unfit to serve as president.

Jane Muskie died at her home in Bethesda, Maryland, on December 25,2004, due to complications related to Alzheimer's disease.

Jane Muskie is buried next to her husband in Section 25 of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.