Mamie Eisenhower

 

Mamie Eisenhower, the beloved American first lady from 1953 to 1961, was born on November 14, 1896, in Boone, Iowa. She passed away on November 1, 1979, in Washington, D.C. Mamie was the wife of Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States and the supreme commander of the Allied forces in western Europe during World War II.

Mamie Doud was the second of four daughters of John Sheldon Doud and Elivera Carlson Doud, both of whom were of Swedish descent. Mamie's education was cut short after just one year of finishing school. Her father retired when she was seven, and the family moved to Denver, where they spent winters in San Antonio, Texas. It was in San Antonio that Mamie met Dwight Eisenhower in October 1915. They tied the knot on July 1, 1916, at the Douds' Denver home.

Mamie and Dwight embarked on their married life in military housing in San Antonio, where she quickly picked up skills in budgeting and household management that were new to her. Their journey together led them to various corners of the world, with Mamie taking charge of running their homes on a tight budget. By the time they settled into the White House, Mamie estimated she had unpacked their belongings a whopping 27 times.

The Eisenhowers faced heartbreak when their first son, Doud Dwight, passed away from scarlet fever at just three years old. They welcomed a second son, John Sheldon Doud, in 1922. Mamie's signature "Mamie bangs" hairstyle became a trend during this time. Despite being separated during World War II due to her husband's military duties, Mamie and Dwight maintained a strong connection through their daily letters. These letters were later published to dispel any rumors of a romantic entanglement between General Eisenhower and his driver, Kay Summersby.

Mamie was a beloved first lady, adored by the public and at ease in high society. She excelled at hosting events and was known for her gracious hospitality. She kept a close eye on the White House staff, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Despite her discomfort with public speaking, she dutifully fulfilled her role by sticking to a list of social activities during press conferences. Mamie remained neutral in politics, even writing an article encouraging people to vote for either her husband or his opponent in the 1952 election.

There was some controversy surrounding rumors of Mamie's alcohol consumption due to her balance issues. However, Dwight Eisenhower clarified that she had not had a drink in over a year, attributing her balance problems to an inner ear condition rather than alcohol. Historians generally agree that Mamie's balance issues were not related to excessive drinking during her time as first lady.

In 1955, Dwight Eisenhower suffered a major heart attack, but Mamie, his wife, insisted he run for a second term in 1956 despite concerns about his health. After leaving the White House in 1961, the couple moved to a farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Mamie outlived her husband by 10 years, passing away in 1979 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She was buried alongside him in Abilene, Kansas. While Mamie did not revolutionize the role of first lady, she was adored by many American women for her youthful "Mamie style" and down-to-earth demeanor, as praised by her husband.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.