We are family: how presidential kin have shaped the White House

Daughters, sons, siblings and wives have long played an important role at the White House as advisers. In the next administration, Ivanka Trump is expected to support her father, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, as his closest confidante.

A total of 16 presidential children worked alongside their fathers, according to Doug Wead, author of All the President's Children, dating back to George Adams and Martin Van Buren Jr. Some family members have acted as strategists, others as policymakers.

Here is a brief history of family members who acted as confidantes and strategists.

Melania's surrogate?

Headlines touting Ivanka Trump's power position began circulating last year and haven't abated. Melania, the wife of president-elect Donald Trump, is expected to remain at their home in New York City at least until their son Barron completes the school year.

Ivanka, who is accustomed and comfortable in the spotlight, is expected to help ease her father's transition into the White House.

Her husband, Jared Kushner, will also serve with the new president as a senior adviser on domestic and foreign policy.

Hillary Clinton, '2 for the price of 1'

When Bill Clinton was campaigning for president, he joked that the American people were getting "two for the price of one," referring to his wife Hillary's extensive political record. When he took office, he appointed his wife to reform the health-care system.

Two federal judges ruled in 1993 that the anti-nepotism law enacted under Lyndon Johnson applied to cabinet appointments and paid positions but not necessarily jobs in the White House.

James "Chip" Carter, representative

Chip Carter, the second-born son of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, wasn't officially on his father's payroll but rather was employed by the Democratic National Committee.

He travelled abroad as the his father's representative to events including the Queen's Silver Jubilee. He also lived at the White House with his wife and child until they separated in 1977, according to the Washington Post.

Jack Ford, campaign strategist

Jack Ford, the second child of Gerald and Betty Ford, drew massive crowds when campaigning for his father in 1976. Ford (at the far left in this photo), then 24, lived at the White House with his parents.

The free-spirited, reluctant celebrity also was considered a key campaign strategist for his father.

Bobby Kennedy, attorney general

John F. Kennedy's naming of his brother Robert U.S. attorney general in 1961 was scandalous at the time. The Nation magazine deemed the appointment "the greatest example of nepotism this land has ever seen."

Six years later, under President Lyndon Johnson, the Federal Anti-Nepotism Statute was enacted.

John Eisenhower, adviser

John Eisenhower worked with his father Dwight as his national security affairs adviser. He later helped his father write his memoirs.

Anna Roosevelt, 'daddy's girl'

Anna Roosevelt moved into the White House in 1943 and was believed to be Franklin Roosevelt's closest confidante and policy adviser.

Anna's mother Eleanor was a noted activist, dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, the poor and African Americans. With Anna stepping in to help her father, Eleanor was free to travel across the country and meet with oppressed groups.  

She also helped host state dinners and travelled with her father to meet foreign leaders. 

In 1945, Life magazine ran a photo of Anna with the caption: "Daddy's girl has got her work cut out for her, running Daddy."