What is Essie Mae Washington-Williams?
{{Infobox person | name = Essie Mae Washington-Williams | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date|1925|10|12}} | birth_place = [[Edgefield, South Carolina|Edgefield]], [[South Carolina]], [[U.S.]] | death_date = {{death date and age|2013|02|04|1925|10|12}} | death_place = [[Columbia, South Carolina]], U.S. | other_names = | parents = [[Strom Thurmond]] (father) <br>Carrie Butler (mother) | spouse = Julius T. Williams <small><br>(1948–1964; his death)</small> | children = 4 | occupation = Teacher }} '''Essie Mae Washington-Williams''' (October 12, 1925 &ndash; February 4, 2013) was an [[Americans|American]] school teacher. She is best known as the oldest and natural child of [[Strom Thurmond]], [[Governor of South Carolina]] and longtime [[United States Senate|United States Senator]]. In 2003, she came forward and announced that she was the daughter of [[United States]] [[Senator]], [[Strom Thurmond]]. Williams said that Thurmond paid for her college. She was nominated for a [[Pulitzer Prize]]. ==Early life== Williams was born on October 12, 1925 in [[Edgefield, South Carolina|Edgefield]], [[South Carolina]] to Strom Thurmond and his family's 16-year-old [[African American]] servant, Carrie Butler. She studied at [[New York University]] and the [[University of South Carolina]]. ==Marriage and family== Williams was married to Julius T. Williams from 1948 until his death in 1964. They had four children. ==Death== Williams died on February 4, 2013 in her home in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]], [[South Carolina]]. She was 87.<ref>{{cite web|title=Strom Thurmond's Daughter, Essie Mae Washington Williams, Dies at 87|url=http://www.wltx.com/news/article/220051/2/Strom-Thurmonds-Daughter-Essie-Mae-Washington-Williams-Dies-|publisher=WLTX.TV|accessdate=5 February 2013|archive-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217021947/http://www.wltx.com/news/article/220051/2/Strom-Thurmonds-Daughter-Essie-Mae-Washington-Williams-Dies-|url-st