First Lady Maria Lee


Maria was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland as one of five children. After graduating high school, she attended the University of Maryland where she studied Elementary Education. It was her heart for service that brought her to Tennessee where she led girls in a youth discipleship program. Maria later became a third and fourth grade teacher at a local school where she also coached track.

Maria and Bill married in 2008. They are active members of Grace Chapel Church and are involved in numerous faith-based ministries that have taken them all over the world serving those in need. Maria currently serves on the board of Friend2Friend Book Project, a mission devoted to delivering uplifting literature to children and their families suffering from medical hardships.


As first lady, Maria wants to inspire Tennesseans to live lives devoted to service with her initiative, Tennessee Serves. Maria's work is focused on serving the Volunteer State’s federally-designated distressed counties while highlighting nonprofits and service organizations across the state so that others will see their great work and get involved. It is her hope that Tennessee Serves will mobilize Tennesseans to care for one another through acts of service.


When traveling the state with her husband, Maria enjoys meeting so many wonderful Tennesseans. She is deeply grateful for the privilege to serve as first lady to the great state of Tennessee.

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