Eisenhower, Mamie Doud (1896-1979), was the wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served as president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. As first lady, she closely oversaw the domestic operations of the White House. She generally avoided politics, believing political advice and comments were not part of the first lady’s role. Mrs. Eisenhower was a highly popular first lady. Many women imitated her styles, including her hairstyle, which featured bangs, and her fondness for pink clothing.
Mrs. Eisenhower, whose maiden name was Mamie Geneva Doud, was born in Boone, Iowa, on Nov. 14, 1896. She was the last first lady born in the 1800’s. Her father had a successful meat-packing business. When Mamie was an infant, the family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. When she was about 8, they moved to Colorado and settled in Denver. Her parents also bought a vacation home in San Antonio. At the age of 14, Mamie began spending winters in San Antonio. In 1915, when she was 18, she met Dwight (Ike) Eisenhower in San Antonio. Eisenhower, then an Army lieutenant, was stationed there.
Mamie Doud and Dwight Eisenhower married on July 1, 1916. They had two sons, Doud Dwight, born in 1917; and John Sheldon Doud, born in 1922. Tragedy struck the family in 1921, when Doud Dwight died of scarlet fever at the age of 3. John Sheldon Doud became an Army officer and diplomat.
Dwight Eisenhower stayed in the military most of the time until he ran for president in 1952. The family moved numerous times as his assignments changed.
When she became first lady in 1953, Mamie Eisenhower took firm control of the housekeeping operations of the White House. She approved most menus and inspected the work of the staff for cleanliness and neatness. She was regarded as an excellent hostess at White House social functions. Mrs. Eisenhower showed little interest in politics and seldom offered her husband advice about how to do his job. In addition, she avoided public comments on political and government matters.
In 1961, following Dwight’s presidency, the Eisenhowers moved to a farm they owned in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Mamie Eisenhower died on Nov. 1, 1979, about 10 years after her husband’s death.
See also Eisenhower, Dwight David .
