Is the first lady more powerful than the US president? From Melania Trump to Michelle Obama, these supposedly apolitical figures have influenced everything from fashion to global affairs

• Michelle Obama had her Let’s Move campaign, Melania Trump launched the Be Best initiative and Nancy Reagan told young people to ‘just say no’ to drugs
• President Woodrow Wilson’s wife Edith even took over the executive’s decision-making after he suffered a stroke, nicknamed the ‘Second President’