Through immense heartache, war, and his unwavering sense of duty, the love of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower endured it all.
He was a five-star general and a president. She transformed from a soldier’s wife into the woman who made the White House feel like home. The love story of Dwight (Ike) and Mamie Eisenhower wasn’t one of grand gestures or whirlwind romance but of enduring partnership, resilience, and deep affection.
Opposites Attract: Their Different Upbringings
Their upbringings couldn’t have been more different. Ike grew up in Abilene, Kansas, in a modest household where his parents instilled strong values of faith and hard work in their seven sons. Determined to pursue higher education but lacking financial means, Dwight chose West Point, where tuition was free. In contrast, Mamie was raised in the bustling city of Denver in a world of privilege. Mamie’s father was a successful businessman. This allowed her and her three sisters to enjoy a comfortable childhood. They had domestic help, attended social parties, and spent summers in San Antonio, Texas.
It was in San Antonio, during the summer of 1915, that their paths crossed. Just 19 and fresh out of finishing school, Mamie had “debuted” into society. Dwight, a young soldier with big dreams, was immediately drawn to her. His charm won her over, and soon, they were inseparable. By Valentine’s Day 1916, they were engaged, and that July, when Dwight secured a 10-day leave, they were married at the Doud family home in Denver.
Early Challenges and Tragedy
Their early years weren’t easy. His military career meant long separations. Mamie often moved from base to base. She had to adapt to life as an army officer’s wife. In 1917, the Eisenhowers welcomed a healthy baby boy. The proud parents doted on Doud, affectionately called Icky. He was a happy boy and often entertained soldiers on the base.
Unfortunately, the most significant test of their marriage came too soon. At three years old, Iky caught scarlet fever. On January 2, 1921, in his father's arms, he succumbed to the illness. In his book ‘At Ease: Stories I Tell My Friends,’ Dwight shared, “For Mamie, the loss was heartbreaking, and her grief in turn would have broken the hardest heart.”
Life After Loss and Moving Forward
The Eisenhowers looked for distractions from their grief. In 1922, the Eisenhowers were stationed in Panama. The tropical climate proved difficult for Mamie, who was pregnant with their second child. She returned to Denver to give birth while Ike remained on duty. He made it back just in time for the arrival of their son, John.
The next decade was a whirlwind of relocations: Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Benning, Georgia; Washington, D.C.; Paris; and the Philippines. Mamie and John followed right along except to the Philippines. This was one of the few times Mamie put her foot down about following her husband. She held out for a year. Then, she and John reunited with Ike in the South Pacific.
The Toll of World War II
In all the Eisenhowers had faced in their marriage, World War II tested them like never before. As Supreme Allied Commander, Dwight spent years overseas, orchestrating the most significant military operation in history. Meanwhile, Mamie waited—her days filled with worry but never doubt. Now a commander’s wife, it not only put a spotlight on Mamie - but also made her a target. She endured public scrutiny, including rumors of an affair between her husband and his female chauffeur. To reassure her, Ike wrote, “I love you all the time…I’m on the run to you the day the victorious army marches into Berlin!”
Despite the distance, Ike never forgot important dates or anniversaries, writing letters whenever he could. Mamie stayed busy volunteering with the United Service Organizations (USO) and the American Women’s Voluntary Services. She also became a source of comfort to other military wives, once advising a concerned spouse, “You can’t do much to help your husband, but you can do a lot to hurt him.”
The Road to the White House
When the war ended, Ike returned home to an emotional reunion, greeting Mamie with a long kiss as he stepped off the plane. On February 7, 1948, after more than 30 years of service, Ike retired as a five-star general. But retirement was short-lived. That same year, he became president of Columbia University, a position he held until President Harry Truman asked him to lead NATO in 1951.
As the 1952 presidential election approached, both parties courted Ike as a candidate. Eventually, he chose to run as a Republican. On November 4, 1952, he won decisively. Mamie campaigned at his side every step of the way, and when she became First Lady, she brought warmth and charm to the Eisenhower presidency. Known for her impeccable fashion—especially her signature love of pink—she transformed the White House into a welcoming home while remaining her husband’s closest confidante and fiercest supporter.
Retirement and Their Final Years
In the book “Mrs. Ike, a Portrait of a Marriage” by Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Ike and Mamie, there is a touching quote by J.B. West. As the White House deputy chief usher, J.B. saw the Eisenhowers away from public duty. He remembered, “As a couple, the Eisenhowers were openly affectionate…It was perfectly natural for President Eisenhower to reach over and put his arm about Mrs. Ike.”
After serving two presidential terms, both Eisenhowers retired from public service. They returned to their home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and settled into a calm and slower-paced life. Ike would paint, and Mamie, always the hostess, would entertain friends. They also spent time with their grandchildren. Susan’s writing suggests that the Eisenhowers relished being with family.
A Love That Endured Until the End
Years of poor health took their toll on Ike. In March 1969, he was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital. Mamie, ever devoted, remained by his side. In his final hours, he reflected on his life: “I've always loved my wife, my children, and my grandchildren, and I've always loved my country.” At 12:35 p.m. on March 28, with Mamie holding his hand, Dwight Eisenhower passed away. They laid him to rest in Abilene, Kansas.
Mamie lived another decade without him. On November 1, 1979, she passed away in her sleep, reuniting with Ike at last. Their marriage, built on loyalty, duty, and deep affection, endured through war, loss, and the weight of history. Despite the pressures of the world, their love and legacy never wavered.
Want to know more about Ike & Mamie's remarkable story? Visit the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. It's also the final resting place of Dwight, Mamie, and their first son, Doud.
Sources:
At Ease: Stories I Tell My Friends - Dwight Eisenhower
Mrs. Ike: a Portrait of a Marriage - Susan Eisenhower
