Episode Details

When I was thinking about resilient leaders, Teddy Roosevelt was the first to come to mind. It is not his bravado that interested me; what draws me to him, he should have never even made his way to local politics, let alone his rise to the President of the United States. TR was the first modern President; he fought his demons and tragedies. He was constantly proving himself, not to others, but to himself. He became the most beloved and hated personality in the world. Today, TR is still studied, written about and in some cases revered despite his flaws and, in some ways, because of them.

Teddy Roosevelt was born into a wealthy family in New York City on October 27, 1858. His father, Theodore Roosevelt Sr., was a glass importer and one of New York City's leading philanthropists. His mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, came from a prominent family in Georgia. Roosevelt had an older sister, Anna, and a younger brother, Elliott.

Despite his privileged upbringing, Roosevelt's childhood was marked by tragedy and illness. His father died of stomach cancer, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings independently. Roosevelt's mother was a loving and supportive parent, but she struggled with depression and was often bedridden.

Roosevelt himself struggled with health problems throughout his childhood. He was a sickly child, suffering from asthma and other respiratory issues. He was also prone to recurrent fevers and was often confined to bed for long periods. Despite these challenges, Roosevelt was determined to overcome his physical limitations and lead an everyday, active life. He began exercising and practicing deep breathing techniques, which helped him improve his lung capacity and strengthen his body.

The story goes that as young Theodore Roosevelt approached puberty, still frail, puny and nearsighted, his father (a robust man) said to him, “Theodore, you have the mind, but you do not have the body. You must make your body.” Accordingly, he transformed an upstairs room into a mid-19th-century gymnasium with assorted weights and barbells, punching bags and boxing gloves – and a 19th-century personal trainer to instruct. Thus equipped, TR (the one we know) embraced the strenuous life and shaped up.

Roosevelt's mother recognized his love of reading and encouraged his intellectual curiosity. She hired tutors to teach him at home and provided him with many books to read. Roosevelt became an avid reader interested in history and adventure stories. He excelled academically and was a top student at his prep school, Groton School.

Despite the challenges he faced, Roosevelt's childhood was a happy and fulfilling one. He was surrounded by a loving family and had the opportunity to pursue his passions and interests. His mother's influence was significant, as she provided him with the support and encouragement he needed to overcome his physical limitations and succeed in life. Roosevelt's childhood experiences would shape his character and inspire him to become the man he would later become - a man of incredible resilience and determination.

TR’s resolve was tested On February 14, 1884, when he received the devastating news that his wife and his mother had died on the same day.

Roosevelt married his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee, in 1880. The couple had a baby girl, Alice, in 1884. However, just a few days after Alice's birth, Roosevelt's wife fell ill with kidney failure and died.

Just hours after Roosevelt's wife died, his mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, also passed away. She had been suffering from a fever, and her health had declined for some time. Roosevelt was heartbroken by the loss of his mother, who had always been a constant source of support and encouragement for him.

The double loss devastated Roosevelt, who was just 25 years old. He was overwhelmed with grief and struggled to come to terms with the loss of his wife and mother on the same day.