The first lady who ran the United States

Conspiracy: A stroke rendered United States President Woodrow Wilson incapable of governing, and his wife surreptitiously stepped in.

The truth: Wilson did suffer a debilitating stroke towards the end of his presidency — but the government felt it was in the country’s best interest to keep things quiet.

The public didn’t learn about the stroke for months, during which time his wife, Edith Wilson, was making most executive decisions.

Despite Mrs. Wilson claiming that she acted only as a “steward,” historians who have analyzed the Wilson term in office confirm that for well over a year, Mrs. Wilson was effectively president.