<P> Claire Hale Underwood is a fictional character in House of Cards, played by Robin Wright . She is the wife of the show's protagonist Francis J. Underwood . She is a lobbyist and runs an environmental nonprofit organization, but in later seasons ascends to the positions of Second Lady of the United States, First Lady of the United States, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Vice President of the United States, and finally the 47th President of the United States . Underwood made her first appearance in the series' pilot episode, "Chapter 1". The character is based on Elizabeth Urquhart, a character from the eponymous British miniseries from which the current series is derived . Unlike the original character, however, Claire has her own storylines . </P> <P> The role has been critically acclaimed . Wright won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress--Television Series Drama for this role at the 71st Golden Globe Awards, becoming the first actress to win a Golden Globe Award for a web television online - only role in a series . She was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for this role at the 65th, 66th, 67th, 68th and 69th Primetime Emmy Awards . </P> <P> Claire Hale Underwood is originally from the exclusive Highland Park enclave of Dallas, Texas . Her late father was a major Texas Republican . While at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, she met Francis J. Underwood, a Harvard Law student from South Carolina . She is from a wealthy family, and the show characterizes her as a "Dallas Debutante" and "Lily White". She recounts her father's taking her to Dealey Plaza, where John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and that it made her feel "so sad, so angry". She has a difficult relationship with her mother, Elizabeth Hale (Ellen Burstyn), who despises Frank and is disappointed in Claire for marrying him . </P> <P> Brian Stelter of The New York Times described her as Frank Underwood's conniving wife and described the Underwoods as "the scheming husband and wife at the center of' House of Cards"'. She is a woman "who will stop at nothing to conquer everything". Hank Stuever of The Washington Post describes her as an "ice - queen wife". The Independent's Sarah Hughes echoes this description, saying Claire is so dedicated to the couple's schemes that it is clear she will execute them herself if Frank wavers . Following season 4, Robin Wright stated that she felt Claire Underwood was the equal of Frank Underwood and demanded equal pay for her performance . Netflix acquiesced . </P>

Who plays claire underwood's mom on house of cards