Mamie Eisenhower

Mamie Eisenhower was the 34th First Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961. She married future President Dwight Eisenhower at age 19 in 1916.

In 1952, Dwight Eisenhower ran for the U.S. presidency and Mamie traveled with him on his campaign trips, presenting herself as a partner with her husband and appealing to both male and female voters. When the couple entered the White House, Mamie quickly took charge of the domestic staff, who dubbed her "Hostess in Chief." At the same time, she took a personal interest in the White House domestic staff, often sending them birthday cards and gifts.

Mamie was known as a penny pincher who clipped coupons for the White House staff. Her recipe for "Mamie's million dollar fudge" was reproduced by housewives all over the country after it was printed in many publications.

Diplomacy and air travel in the postwar world brought changes in her official hospitality. The Eisenhowers entertained an unprecedented number of heads of state and leaders of foreign governments. As First Lady, she was noted for her outgoing manner, her love of pretty clothes, jewelry, and her obvious pride in husband and home. The gown she wore to her husband's inauguration is one of the most popular in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's collection of inaugural gowns. Her love for the color pink led to the color's public association with femininity.

After leaving the White House in 1961, the couple returned to their home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and enjoyed retirement until Ike died in 1969. Mamie Eisenhower continued to live on the farm, devoting her time to family and friends before her death on November 1, 1979. She is buried next to the president and her first son at Place of Meditation on the grounds of the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas