Female World Leaders From History: As Hillary Clinton Surges In Polls, 5 First Ladies Who Became President (Or Prime Minister)

As the countdown to the United States presidential election nears single digits, the country grows closer to making history. On Nov. 8, Americans could elect their first female president in Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. They could also choose their inaugural first lady president.

Clinton, of course, is the wife of former President Bill Clinton, who was in office from 1993 to 2001. And while the U.S. hasn't yet made a habit of electing couples to lead the nation, other countries have been doing it for years. Here are five first ladies who became president (or prime minister):

Argentina's Isabel Perón. Perón was not only married to three-term president Juan Perón but also served as his vice president. Her husband made her interim leader of Argentina in his final days as he suffered from the flu and bronchitis, and when he died in 1974 she formally took over, according to BBC News. Perón did not enjoy the same popularity her partner did, and in 1976 she was overthrown by a military junta.

Sri Lanka's Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Bandaranaike was married to S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, who founded the Freedom Party and became prime minister in 1956. But when he was assassinated in 1959 by a Buddhist monk, she took over the party. Nicknamed the "weeping widow," Bandaranaike became prime minister and extended her late husband's socialist policies, according to BBC News. She would weave in and out of office, being prime minister three times and securing Sri Lanka's status as a republic, until 2000. She stepped down in August and died two months later — on her way home from voting.

Panama's Mireya Moscoso. Moscoso was married to Arnulfo Arias, who was president of Panama during three different time periods. In 1968, just 11 days after he won his third presidential election, the military overthrew Arias. In his wake, Moscoso founded the populist Arnulfista Party and campaigned for president in 1999. She remained in office until 2004.

Guyana's Janet Jagan. Jagan, who was born in Chicago, was married to Cheddi Jagan, the prime minister of Guyana from 1957 to 1964 and 1992 to 1997. Together, the duo created the People's Progressive Party, and when her husband was elected Jagan worked in the cabinet. He died in 1997, and Jagan was nominated for president. She was in office through 1999, when she had a heart attack.

Argentina's Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Fernández de Kirchner was married to Néstor Kirchner, who was Argentina's president between 2003 and 2007. A senator and provincial legislator, she succeeded her husband despite rumors that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez attempted to bankroll her campaign. Fernández de Kirchner won re-election in 2011. She finished her term in 2015 amid accusations that she tried to cover up Iran's involvement 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires. Earlier this year she was indicted for allegedly manipulating currency for political reasons, CNN reported.