When Mamie Met Dwight

It was July 1, 1916, and Dwight D. Eisenhower was an Army Lieutenant and 25 years old. He was a young man with lots of dreams and plans. On this day the stars were lined up just right in his world because he married 19-year-old Mamie Geneva Doud at her parent’s home in Denver, Colorado. Eventually, Dwight would become the 34th president of the U.S. The couple met in 1915 while Dwight was stationed near San Antonio, Texas. Mamie’s parents were spending the winter here away from the cold and snow in Colorado. She was a lovely girl who was also a talented pianist.

Dwight was on his way to a military career having graduated from West Point Military Academy. He became the supreme Allied commander of the European Front in WWII and the leader of the Normandy invasion in June of 1944. During the war, Mamie and “Ike” as he was called were separated for three years. After the war was over Eisenhower became president of Columbia University from 1948 to 1950 and at this time they lived in New York City. When Eisenhower returned to the military as commander of NATO in December 1959 the couple moved to Paris, France. Amazing as it may seem during his 37-year military career they lived in 33 different homes never settling down permanently anywhere. Finally in 1952 Eisenhower began his presidential campaign with his wife by this side. He introduced her to the people as “my Mamie”. He was elected and became president in 1953 and Mamie became First Lady. They could now call The White House home.

During his presidency, Mamie organized all White House social functions. During his time as president, Eisenhower suffered three health-related crisis. In September of 1955, he had a heart attack, in 1956 a gallstone operation and in November 1957 a mild stroke. All of these incidents put him out of commission for some time. Meanwhile, Mamie made sure she did the best she could for him by screening visitors, managing his healthcare and diet, looking over his mail and attending public functions while he couldn’t. When they left the White House Dwight and Mamie traveled about and led an active public life. Their grandson David married President Richard Nixon’s daughter Julie in 1968. The following year Eisenhower died of heart failure at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. Mamie lived until 82 passing away in 1979.