Ellen Louise Axson Wilson ( May 15 , 1860 - August 6 , 1914 ) was the first wife of Woodrow Wilson . She was First Lady of the United States from 1913 until her death . Ellen Axson Wilson ( May 15 , 1860 -- August 6 , 1914 ) , first wife of Woodrow Wilson , was First Lady of the United States from 1913 until her death .