Luci Baines Johnson

Luci Baines Johnson is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and the younger daughter of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. Born in Washington, D.C., she grew up in the public eye, living in the White House during her father's presidency from 1963 to 1969. Her life has been marked by a blend of private business pursuits and dedicated public advocacy, particularly in the fields of healthcare and historic preservation.

Early life and education

Born at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, she was named for her mother, Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson. Her early years were spent in Washington, D.C. and at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas. She attended the National Cathedral School in the District of Columbia before her family's move to the Executive Residence following the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. She graduated from St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin. Her initial enrollment at Georgetown University's School of Nursing was brief, and she later studied at the University of Texas at Austin, though she did not complete a degree.

Family and personal life

In 1966, her wedding to Patrick Nugent at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was a major national event, televised on NBC. The couple had four children before divorcing in 1979. She married her second husband, Scottish-born investment banker Ian Turpin, in 1984 at the LBJ Ranch. She is the sister of Lynda Bird Johnson Robb, the wife of former United States Senator and Governor of Virginia Chuck Robb. Her family has been deeply involved with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Career and business ventures

Her professional life has been centered in Austin. She served as the Chairman and majority owner of BusinessSuites, a national executive suite company. She has also held leadership roles in LBJ Asset Management Partners, a family investment firm. Her business acumen was further demonstrated through her work with the United States Chamber of Commerce and various private sector boards. She maintained a long professional association with the Austin Board of Realtors.

Public service and advocacy

Her advocacy work is extensive, with a primary focus on healthcare and medical research. She served as a board member for the American Heart Association and was a Vice Chair of the Board of Visitors for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is a former member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under President Ronald Reagan. A committed preservationist, she has been a trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and actively supports the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Her philanthropic efforts also include support for the Special Olympics.

Later life and legacy

Residing in Austin, she remains an active figure in civic and philanthropic circles. She frequently participates in events at the LBJ Presidential Library and gives interviews reflecting on her experiences during the Johnson administration and the civil rights era. Her legacy is that of a dedicated custodian of her family's history, a successful business leader, and a passionate advocate for health and preservation causes, continuing the spirit of public service championed by her parents.

Category:American businesspeople Category:American philanthropists Category:Children of presidents of the United States Category:Living people Category:1947 births