Jill Biden Wins Halloween by Dressing Up as This Furry Favorite in the White House

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Somebody got into the spirit of Halloween at the White House, and it wasn’t President Joe Biden! First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed trick-or-treaters to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by dressing as a very famous furry friend who also resides there — Willow, the First Cat. 

Jill went all-out with the festive costume, wearing a gray dress, complete with cat ears, a full-face of makeup for the nose and whiskers, comfy gray sneakers, and yes, the first lady had a tail. It was a purrr-fectly designed outfit for the spooky holiday! We couldn’t recall the last time one of the residents at the White House got in costume for Halloween, but it turns out it was Bill and Hillary Clinton who “dressed up as President James Madison and First Lady Dolley Madison” in 1993, according to the White House History website. 

“First Lady Mamie Eisenhower publicly decorated the White House for Halloween for the first time in 1958,” but Americans have John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy to thank for bringing trick-or-treating to the White House. They wanted to create a festive atmosphere for their young children, Caroline and JFK Jr., so the couple invited the staff and their friends to bring their kids for a night of candy and celebrations. It became a beloved holiday for the children who would later come to reside at the White House, including Amy Carter, Chelsea Clinton, and Malia and Sasha Obama.

In 2023, Jill added her teacher touch to the event by reading the children’s book, 10 Spooky Pumpkins, on the South Lawn before everyone got their delicious treats. Instead of Halloween, the White House called it Hallo-READ! for the “the spooktacular thrill of reading.” With over 8,000 attendees and one First Cat costume, it looks like Jill made a splash this Halloween — and maybe next year she can convince Joe Biden to dress up as well.

Before you go, click here to see our favorite photos of Joe Biden being a loving dad.