Thelma Catherine 'Pat' Nixon was an American educator and the wife of Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. Serving as First Lady from 1969 to 1974, she championed volunteerism and oversaw the acquisition of more than 600 pieces of historic art and furnishings for the White House. She was the most traveled First Lady in U.S. history during her time, a record she held for decades, visiting approximately 80 nations. After her husband's resignation from the presidency, she lived a private life in California until her passing in 1993.