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Ida Straus

Ida Straus (1849–1912) was a German-born American socialite, homemaker, and philanthropist renowned for her devotion to her husband, Isidor Straus, with whom she died during the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, after she refused to leave his side and board a lifeboat.^[1]^[2] Rosalie Ida Blün was born on February 6, 1849, in Worms, Hesse, Germany, to Nathan Blün and his wife Wilhelmine Freudenberg.^[1]^[3] Her family immigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century, where she met Isidor Straus, a German-Jewish immigrant and rising businessman.^[4] The couple married in 1871 and settled in New York City, raising six children—including sons Jesse, who later became president of Macy's, and daughters Sara and Minnie—while Isidor built a successful career in retail, eventually becoming a co-owner of the Macy's department store chain alongside his brothers.^[4]^[5] Ida supported her husband's endeavors through active philanthropy, contributing to Jewish causes, education, and women's welfare initiatives in New York, often alongside Isidor, who had served briefly as a U.S. Congressman from 1894 to 1895.^[4]^[2] In April 1912, the 63-year-old Ida and 67-year-old Isidor, traveling first class in cabin C-55 aboard the Titanic after a winter vacation in Europe, exemplified marital loyalty during the disaster when Ida declined a seat on Lifeboat No. 8, reportedly stating, "We have lived together for many years. Where you go, I go," and giving her fur coat to her maid, Ellen Bird, who survived.^[1]^[6] Neither body was recovered from the wreck.^[1] The Strauses' story captured public imagination as a symbol of enduring love and sacrifice, inspiring ballads like the 1912 song "The Titanic Disaster," a memorial fountain in Manhattan's Straus Park dedicated in 1915, and a dramatized depiction in the 1997 film Titanic.^[2]^[4] Their legacy endures through family descendants, the Straus Historical Society, and ongoing tributes to their philanthropic spirit.^[5]

Early Life

Birth and Childhood

Rosalie Ida Blün was born on February 6, 1849, in Worms, within the Grand Duchy of Hesse in what is now Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.^[7]^[8] She was the daughter of Nathan Blün (1815–1879) and Wilhelmine "Mindel" Freudenberg (1814–1868), a couple of Jewish descent residing in the historic Jewish community of Worms.^[9]^[8] The Blüns maintained a modest household, observant of Jewish traditions in a city renowned for its medieval synagogue and longstanding Jewish heritage. As the fifth of seven children, Ida grew up alongside siblings including her brother Louis (Ludwig) Blün and sister Augusta Carolina Blün, in an economically stable environment shaped by family and community ties.^[10]^[9] Her childhood unfolded in the culturally vibrant setting of mid-19th-century Worms, where she was influenced by local Jewish customs, religious education, and the broader German societal context, fostering values that later informed her philanthropic endeavors.^[11]

Immigration to America

In 1850, when Ida was a young child, her family immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City amid a wave of German-Jewish migration seeking economic opportunities and fleeing political unrest in Europe.^[12] The Blüns settled in Manhattan's Lower East Side, integrating into the burgeoning German-Jewish immigrant community that centered around synagogues, mutual aid societies, and small businesses. This network provided essential support for newcomers, facilitating access to kosher resources, Yiddish- and German-language newspapers, and employment in trade sectors like clothing, where Nathan Blün established himself as a merchant. Cultural adaptation presented significant challenges for the family, including mastering English amid a polyglot urban environment, contending with antisemitism in American society, and reconciling traditional Jewish practices with the demands of industrializing city life. Young Ida, as part of this transition, experienced the shift from a provincial German upbringing to the dynamic, opportunity-laden but often harsh realities of immigrant New York.^[12] In her early years in America, Ida received limited formal education, a common limitation for daughters in working-class immigrant households focused on immediate survival and vocational preparation. She cultivated self-taught proficiencies in English and French through community interactions and reading, alongside practical homemaking skills that emphasized resourcefulness and family management—qualities that would underpin her later role as a devoted wife and mother.^[12]

Marriage and Family

Meeting Isidor Straus

Ida Straus, born Rosalie Ida Blun in Worms, Germany, in 1849, met Isidor Straus through familial ties within New York's German-Jewish immigrant community during the American Civil War. Isidor, a Bavarian-born merchant's son who had immigrated to the United States with his family in 1854 and settled in Talbotton, Georgia, traveled to New York City around 1863–1865 on business related to his family's blockade-running efforts for the Confederacy. There, he was introduced to Ida's father, Nathan Blun, a fellow German-Jewish immigrant and clothing merchant, via a letter from Ida's older sister, Amanda Blun Rothschild. At the time, Ida was a teenager of about 14 or 15, while Isidor was in his late teens, and their initial acquaintance reflected the close-knit networks of the era's Jewish diaspora, where social and romantic connections often formed through shared cultural and familial introductions.^[13] Their courtship unfolded over the following years amid the post-war relocation of the Straus family to New York in 1865, where Isidor, then 20, assisted in establishing the family's crockery import business, L. Straus & Sons. As both families integrated into Manhattan's burgeoning Jewish merchant class, Isidor and Ida's relationship developed through visits, shared community events, and correspondence, aligning with 19th-century Ashkenazi Jewish customs that emphasized arranged or semi-arranged matches facilitated by relatives to preserve cultural and economic stability among immigrants. These norms prioritized compatibility in background and prospects, with courtship typically supervised and brief once mutual interest was established; the couple's bond was reportedly immediate and deep, fostered by their common German heritage and immigrant experiences. Isidor, already establishing himself as a savvy trader in pottery and glassware, courted Ida with promises of stability and companionship, including a commitment to regular visits to her homeland—a gesture that honored her roots and became a hallmark of their marriage.^[14]^[15] The pair became engaged in April 1871, after Isidor had fully relocated to New York and solidified his role in the family enterprise. They married on July 12, 1871, in a modest ceremony at the Blun family home on 28 West 38th Street in Manhattan, attended by close relatives from both immigrant clans. The wedding, conducted in the Reform Jewish tradition common among upwardly mobile German Jews in the city, symbolized the union of two entrepreneurial lineages and marked Ida's transition from her family's household to building a new one with Isidor.^[16] Following the wedding, the couple honeymooned briefly in the Northeast before settling into married life in New York City, where they resided in a series of apartments that grew increasingly comfortable as Isidor's business thrived. Their early years were immersed in the dynamic rhythm of the Straus family operations, with Ida adapting to the role of supportive partner in a household centered on commerce and community ties; Isidor's days were filled with importing and retailing efforts, while evenings brought shared meals and planning for their future amid the expanding urban Jewish milieu. This period laid the foundation for their lifelong devotion, as they navigated the challenges of post-immigration life together in a home that buzzed with familial and professional activity.^[15]

Children and Home Life

Ida and Isidor Straus had seven children together, with births spanning from 1872 to 1886; six survived to adulthood, while one son died in early childhood. Their surviving children were Jesse Isidor Straus (born 1872), Percy Selden Straus (born 1876), Sara Straus (born 1878), Minnie Straus (born 1880), Herbert Nathan Straus (born 1881), and Vivian Straus (born 1886). Clarence Elias Straus, born in 1874, passed away at the age of two in 1876.^[16] As a mother, Ida was deeply involved in raising her children, managing the household with a hands-on approach despite the family's considerable wealth derived from Isidor's successful business ventures. She emphasized Jewish values, education, and discipline in their upbringing, instilling a strong sense of faith and moral responsibility. The family observed traditional Jewish practices, including Sabbath observances, which formed a core part of their daily routines and reinforced cultural continuity.^[17]^[16] The Straus family resided in upscale homes in New York City, reflecting their prominent social standing. They also maintained a country house at 105th Street and Broadway, used for summer escapes to benefit from river views and fresh air, allowing for family relaxation amid their urban lifestyle. Daily life balanced structured family meals, educational pursuits for the children, and occasional travels to Europe and the Holy Land, which strengthened familial bonds.^[18]^[16]

Public Contributions

Business Involvement

Isidor Straus and his brother Nathan acquired a partnership interest in R.H. Macy & Co. in 1888, eventually becoming the sole owners in 1896, which marked a pivotal expansion for the New York department store chain.^[19] They also co-owned Abraham & Straus, a prominent Brooklyn retailer, beginning in 1893.^[20] Under their management, Macy's innovated in merchandising by sourcing goods directly from manufacturers and importers, cutting out middlemen to offer competitive pricing and variety to customers.^[15] The brothers oversaw key developments, including the 1902 relocation and expansion of Macy's flagship store to Herald Square, creating the world's largest department store at the time with over a million square feet of space.^[4] Ida Straus's role in these family enterprises was indirect, as she focused primarily on family responsibilities and community service while supporting her husband's business endeavors.^[21] The success of Macy's and Abraham & Straus generated substantial wealth that funded the family's philanthropic efforts and luxurious lifestyle, including annual European vacations for rest and sourcing inspiration for store offerings. The 1912 trip to Europe exemplified this blend of leisure and business ties.^[2] Ida Straus actively supported philanthropic efforts aimed at aiding Jewish immigrants, drawing from her own experiences as a German Jewish immigrant who arrived in the United States as a child in 1854. Her family's resources, derived from the success of Macy's department store, enabled substantial contributions to charitable causes, reflecting core Jewish values of tzedakah (charity) and communal responsibility.^[22]^[23] A key focus of Straus's social work was the welfare of Jewish immigrant youth on New York's Lower East Side. In 1898, she served as a board member of the Recreation Rooms for Girls, a settlement house initiative that provided educational and cultural programs to Americanize young Jewish girls while preserving their heritage, including classes in Jewish history, Hebrew, and Bible studies, as well as social activities like dances. This involvement addressed the challenges faced by immigrant families, offering safe spaces and moral guidance to children in overcrowded tenements.^[24] Straus also backed the Educational Alliance, a major Jewish immigrant aid organization founded in 1889 to provide education, vocational training, and social services to Eastern European Jews arriving in New York. Her husband, Isidor Straus, co-founded the group and served as its first president from 1893, and Ida encouraged and supported his leadership in sustaining its operations through ongoing philanthropy. Together, they made significant joint donations, including a bequest of $101,000 upon their deaths in 1912, which bolstered the Alliance's programs for thousands of immigrants.^[25]^[22] In the early 1900s, the Strauses collaborated on broader Jewish relief efforts, making substantial contributions to various philanthropies, including support for the Educational Alliance to expand its immigrant support services. During a 1912 trip to Palestine, Ida's firsthand observations of poverty in Jerusalem's Jewish ghettos prompted Isidor to pledge $10,000 annually for three years to establish a soup kitchen, exemplifying their shared commitment to direct aid for the needy rooted in empathy from their immigrant roots. These endeavors highlighted Ida's role in fostering health and educational initiatives for vulnerable children and families within the Jewish community.^[16]

The Titanic Voyage

Departure and Travel

In early 1912, Ida and Isidor Straus embarked on a winter vacation to Europe during the winter of 1911–1912, departing New York for leisure and to visit family.^[2] They spent much of their time in Cape Martin on the French Riviera in southern France, before concluding their itinerary in England.^[26] Toward the end of their European stay, the Strauses resided at Claridge's Hotel in London, where Ida corresponded with family about their plans to return home. They originally intended to return on another liner but switched to the Titanic due to a coal strike disrupting schedules. They booked first-class passage on the RMS Titanic's maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, departing on April 10, 1912. The couple occupied the parlor suite C-55/56/57 on C Deck, with Ida's maid, Ellen Bird, who stayed in cabin C-97, and Isidor's manservant, John Farthing, in C-95.^[1]^[27]^[28] During the initial days of the voyage, the Strauses reveled in the opulent features of the Titanic, including its grand dining saloon, promenade decks, and luxurious accommodations designed for elite passengers. As prominent figures in New York's social and business circles, they mingled with other first-class travelers, such as fellow American elites and European dignitaries, participating in leisurely conversations and onboard amenities that highlighted the ship's status as a floating palace. Ida, in particular, expressed delight in the vessel's elegance and the refined atmosphere, which complemented their extended holiday.^[2]^[29]

The Disaster and Final Moments

On the night of April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 p.m. ship's time while traveling at nearly full speed through the North Atlantic, tearing open several compartments below the waterline and initiating the ship's fatal flooding. Initial reports among passengers were minimal, with many, including Ida and Isidor Straus, retiring to their stateroom in relative calm, but by midnight, water ingress became evident, prompting Captain Edward Smith to order the loading of lifeboats and the transmission of distress signals. As chaos spread on the sloping decks amid cries for help and the firing of distress rockets, evacuation prioritized women and children, leading to frantic scenes at the lifeboat stations where insufficient boats and poor organization exacerbated the panic. Ida Straus, accompanied by her husband Isidor and their maid Ellen Bird, reached the port side near Lifeboat No. 8 around 1:00 a.m., where officers urged women to board despite the half-filled boat.^[1] Ida briefly attempted to enter the lifeboat but refused to leave Isidor, who, adhering to the "women and children first" protocol, declined to board as a man; she then stepped back, reportedly stating to him, "We have lived together for many years. Where you go, I go," a sentiment echoed in survivor accounts of her unwavering devotion.^[1] Persuaded by the Strauses, Ellen Bird boarded Lifeboat No. 8 without them, later recalling Ida's insistence that she take the spot and even handing her a fur coat for warmth.^[27] The couple retreated to the first-class promenade, arm in arm, where witnesses last saw them conversing calmly as the ship listed further; they perished when the Titanic broke apart and sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, into the icy waters, their bodies never recovered amid the 1,496 lives lost.^[1] This tragic end contrasted sharply with the couple's earlier enjoyment of the voyage, which had offered a leisurely return from Europe filled with social engagements.^[30]

Legacy

Immediate Impact

The sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, prompted widespread news coverage in New York newspapers that highlighted the Strauses' devotion, portraying Ida's refusal to leave Isidor as a poignant example of marital loyalty amid tragedy. The New York Times reported on April 18 that family members, including brother Nathan Straus, were informed of the couple's fate, emphasizing the emotional weight of the loss on prominent figures. Similarly, the San Francisco Chronicle on April 17 described Ida's choice with the headline "Gives Life for Love of Husband," capturing public fascination with their story in the immediate aftermath.^[31] The Straus family's response was marked by profound grief, with children like Jesse Isidor Straus, who was abroad, rushing home upon learning of the disaster via wireless reports confirmed on arrival. Memorial services were swiftly organized in New York, including a public gathering at Carnegie Hall on May 12, attended by thousands mourning the couple's loss. Their philanthropic reputation further amplified the sympathy, as the Strauses were seen as benevolent leaders whose deaths resonated deeply with communities they had supported.^[32]^[33] Public mourning was particularly intense in New York's Jewish communities, where the Strauses' story evoked widespread sorrow and tributes in synagogues during services on April 21. Rabbis across the city eulogized the couple, framing their unity in death as a model of devotion and resilience, with congregations gathering to honor their contributions to Jewish causes. This outpouring reflected the immigrants' admiration for the Strauses as symbols of successful integration and generosity. The couple's deaths contributed to early discussions on maritime safety, as their narrative—amid reports of inadequate lifeboats and the "women and children first" protocol—fueled calls for reforms in the U.S. Senate and British inquiries launched in late April 1912. Initial tributes emerged quickly, including the Yiddish ballad "The Titanic's Disaster, or The Watery Grave" by Solomon Smulewitz, published that year by the Hebrew Publishing Company, which specifically lamented Ida's choice to perish with Isidor and circulated widely among Jewish audiences. A vast throng attended East Side memorial events on April 24, demonstrating the immediate scale of public grief.^[34]

Symbolic Significance

Ida Straus's decision to remain with her husband Isidor during the Titanic's sinking evolved from a poignant personal tragedy in the 1910s to a broader 20th-century emblem of enduring marital love and sacrifice, often contrasted with other passenger stories like those of John Jacob Astor IV, whose separation from his wife underscored themes of chivalric duty. Initial media coverage in 1912 portrayed her choice as an act of profound devotion, setting the stage for its romanticization in later narratives. By the mid-20th century, her story had become a touchstone for idealized partnership, as depicted in Walter Lord's 1955 book A Night to Remember, where Ida is quoted as saying, "I've always stayed with my husband; so why should I leave him now?" while refusing a lifeboat seat, highlighting their mutual resolve to face death together on deck chairs.^[35] Scholarly analyses of the Titanic disaster, such as Ann E. Larabee's examination of gender dynamics, position Ida's actions within early 20th-century debates on women's roles, where traditionalists hailed her as an icon of wifely loyalty reinforcing patriarchal norms, while suffragists like Maud Malone interpreted her refusal to board a lifeboat alone as an assertion of female autonomy and equality in decision-making. This duality reflected broader tensions between emerging feminism and conventional expectations of sacrifice. Additionally, her Jewish identity amplified the story's resonance in Jewish communities, where Yiddish and German-language press in 1912 extolled her courage as a model of devotion, tying it to the Strauses' prominence as German-Jewish immigrants who built Macy's and supported causes like the American Jewish Committee.^[36]^[37] In 21st-century reflections, Ida's choice has been reevaluated through feminist lenses as an empowering rejection of survival norms that prioritized women as dependents, emphasizing her agency in prioritizing emotional bonds over prescribed gender roles during crisis. Family descendants, including great-grandson Paul Kurzman, have shared oral histories passed down through generations, such as Ida's insistence, "We have lived our whole life together and if you are going to remain on the boat... I will remain on the boat with you," portraying her not merely as a victim of tragedy but as a figure of principled bravery that continues to inspire pride in the family's legacy.^[5]

Cultural Depictions

Film and Media

Ida Straus and her husband Isidor have been portrayed in numerous films and television productions centered on the Titanic disaster, often emphasizing their decision to remain together rather than separate during the evacuation. These depictions draw from eyewitness accounts of Ida's refusal to board a lifeboat without Isidor, symbolizing enduring marital devotion.^[38] The most iconic representation appears in James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster Titanic, where an unnamed elderly couple modeled after the Strauses serves as an emotional anchor amid the chaos. Played by Elsa Raven as the wife and Lew Palter as the husband, the characters share a tender moment in their cabin, embracing as the ship floods, with the wife declaring her intent to stay by his side—a line inspired by Ida's reported words. This scene, though brief, underscores themes of love and sacrifice, contributing to the film's cultural resonance.^[5]^[6] Earlier cinematic adaptations also feature the couple prominently. In the 1953 film Titanic, directed by Jean Negulesco, Helen Van Tuyl portrays Ida in a scene faithful to historical reports, showing the Strauses declining lifeboat seats to avoid separation.^[38] Similarly, the 1958 British production A Night to Remember, based on Walter Lord's book, depicts Ida (played by Helen Misener) and Isidor (Meier Tzelniker) refusing to part, with their choice inadvertently encouraging another passenger to stay with her spouse.^[38]^[39] Television miniseries have continued this tradition. In the 1996 CBS miniseries Titanic, Janie Woods-Morris plays Ida across two episodes, capturing the couple's final moments together.^[40] The 2012 ITV miniseries Titanic includes Faith Tarby as Ida Strauss, integrating her story into the broader narrative of passenger experiences.^[41] Documentaries frequently highlight the Strauses' tale for its human drama. History Channel specials, such as the 2008 episode "Titanic" from When Weather Changed History, incorporate archive footage and accounts of the couple to illustrate the sinking's personal toll.^[42] More recently, their story gained renewed attention in 2023 amid coverage of the OceanGate Titan submersible implosion, as Wendy Rush—wife of the expedition's CEO Stockton Rush and the Strauses' great-great-granddaughter—linked the events through family heritage. This connection appeared in news reports and documentaries like Netflix's Titan: The OceanGate Disaster (2024), which contextualizes the tragedy against Titanic lore, including the Strauses' legacy.^[43]^[44] In 2025, exhibits at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, displayed Straus family artifacts from the voyage, further amplified in media tying their narrative to contemporary Titanic explorations post-OceanGate.^[45]

Literature and Art

Ida Straus and her husband Isidor's story of devotion during the Titanic disaster has inspired various literary works, particularly biographies and historical accounts of the sinking. A dedicated biography, A Titanic Love Story: Ida and Isidor Straus by June Hall McCash (2012), chronicles their lives as German Jewish immigrants who built a prominent business legacy through Macy's, culminating in their tragic final voyage together.^[23] Their refusal to separate amid the chaos is highlighted as a symbol of marital fidelity, drawing on family records and contemporary reports to portray Ida's character as gracious and resolute.^[46] Additionally, the couple features in Walter Lord's influential nonfiction account A Night to Remember (1955), which reconstructs the Titanic's final hours through survivor testimonies, emphasizing Ida's decision to remain with Isidor rather than board a lifeboat.^[47] In music, the Strauses' fate resonated immediately after the disaster, inspiring early 20th-century ballads that captured public mourning. The Yiddish song "The Titanic's Disaster" (1912), composed by Henry A. Russotto with lyrics by Solomon Smulewitz and published by the Hebrew Publishing Company, specifically laments Ida and Isidor's deaths, portraying their bond as a poignant loss amid the ship's victims and appealing to Jewish-American communities.^[48]^[22] This ballad, distributed as sheet music shortly after the sinking, reflects the era's folk tradition of responding to tragedies through song, with verses underscoring Ida's loyalty: "Where you go, I will go."^[22] Later musical tributes have continued to reference the couple. In the Broadway production Titanic: The Musical (1997, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston), the song "Still" is performed by the characters representing Ida and Isidor, affirming their enduring love as the ship sinks, and serving as an emotional centerpiece that echoes their real-life story.^[49] Visual arts have depicted the Strauses through illustrations and exhibits that evoke their final moments. A notable early example is French artist Paul Thiriat's drawing published in the daily newspaper Excelsior on April 20, 1912, which illustrates Ida and Isidor embracing on the sinking ship, symbolizing romance and sacrifice in a dramatic, romanticized style typical of period journalism. In contemporary settings, Titanic museums feature artistic representations of the couple, including portraits and interpretive illustrations alongside historical artifacts; for instance, the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, incorporates such visuals in exhibits dedicated to their legacy, blending photography, drawings, and narrative panels to highlight Ida's role.

Memorials and Honors

Physical Monuments

Straus Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side, at the intersection of Broadway, West End Avenue, and West 106th Street, stands as a primary physical memorial to Ida and Isidor Straus. Dedicated on April 15, 1915—precisely three years after the Titanic's sinking—the park was funded through public donations and features a central bronze statue titled Memory sculpted by Augustus Lukeman. The statue depicts a reclining nymph gazing contemplatively over a small pool of water, evoking themes of remembrance and loss in honor of the couple's devotion; it was modeled after Audrey Munson and designed by architect Evarts Tracy. Surrounding the sculpture are curved granite benches and exedra walls inscribed with plaques bearing the inscription: "In memory of Isidor and Ida Straus, who were lost at sea in the Titanic disaster April 15, 1912. Lovely and pleasant were they in their lives and in their death they were not divided."^[50]^[51]^[52] The Strauses' gravesites reflect the tragedy's incompleteness, as their bodies were largely lost to the sea. Isidor's remains were recovered by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett (identified as body #96) and initially interred in the family vault at Beth-El Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, in May 1912. He was later reinterred in the Straus family mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, where a cenotaph commemorates Ida, whose body was never found. The mausoleum, a stately structure in the cemetery's landscaped grounds, includes inscriptions honoring the couple's shared fate and serves as a focal point for family markers, though no direct grave markers exist for the victims themselves due to the disaster's circumstances.^[2]^[53] Titanic museums worldwide preserve physical artifacts linked to the Strauses, integrating them into permanent exhibits that highlight their story. At Titanic Belfast in Northern Ireland, a first-class accommodation plan from the ship, owned by the Straus party, is displayed among original White Star Line items, illustrating the luxury of their staterooms C-55, C-56, and C-57 during the voyage. Similarly, collections such as those at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich hold copies of 1912 correspondence, including a letter written by Ida on Titanic stationery and mailed from Queenstown, Ireland, before the disaster, underscoring personal details of their final journey. These artifacts, often accompanied by contextual plaques, emphasize the couple's prominence without overshadowing broader Titanic narratives.^[54]^[55]

Enduring Tributes

The story of Ida and Isidor Straus continues to be commemorated in annual Titanic remembrance events, where their decision to remain together is frequently highlighted as a symbol of devotion. For instance, the Straus Historical Society organizes gatherings around April 15, the anniversary of the sinking, including lectures and discussions that honor the couple's legacy, as seen in their 2012 centennial programs and subsequent activities.^[56] These events often draw on the couple's narrative to underscore themes of love and sacrifice in broader Titanic memorials.^[57] Within the Jewish community, observances of the Strauses' story persist through cultural retellings, particularly in Yiddish music and literature that emphasize their empathy and valor as a Jewish couple. Songs composed in the early 20th century, such as those lamenting their fate, have been revived in modern collections, reflecting ongoing admiration in Jewish cultural circles.^[58] Historical analyses, like those from the New York Public Library's Dorot Jewish Division, document how Eastern European Jewish immigrants viewed the Strauses as exemplars of dignity, with this sentiment echoed in contemporary scholarly works.^[22] Namings in honor of Ida and Isidor Straus include educational institutions, such as P.S. 198 Isidor E. Ida Straus, a public school in Manhattan built in 1959 and still operating today.^[59] The Straus family legacy also supports education through the Straus Historical Society's Scholarship Program, which has awarded funds since 2017 to students pursuing careers in public service, with recipients announced annually, including in 2023.^[60] These initiatives fund tuition and related costs, continuing the family's philanthropic tradition in education.^[61] Recent media attention from 2023 to 2025 has renewed tributes to the Strauses due to familial connections to the OceanGate Titan submersible incident. Wendy Rush, wife of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush—who perished in the June 2023 implosion—is the great-great-granddaughter of Ida and Isidor Straus, prompting widespread coverage that revisited their Titanic story as a poignant parallel to modern maritime tragedy.^[43] This linkage has appeared in major outlets, amplifying discussions of the couple's enduring symbolism in articles through 2025. In November 2025, Isidor's 18-carat gold pocket watch—recovered from his body—and Ida's original letter dated April 10, 1912, written on Titanic stationery, are scheduled for auction, expected to fetch up to £1 million, further highlighting their legacy.^[62]

References

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Ida Straus : Titanic First Class passenger and Victim
Jun 7, 2013 · Mrs Isidor Straus (Rosalie Ida Blun), 63, of New York, NY, boarded the Titanic at Southampton with her husband Isidor Straus, her maid Ms Ellen Bird and his ...Missing: reliable | Show results with:reliable
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Apr 15, 2014 · The tragic story of Ida and Isidor Straus struck a chord with the songwriter of “The Titanic Disaster,” who recounted their tale in the 1912 song.Missing: reliable | Show results with:reliable
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... (1849–1912) Straus, who died aboard the R.M.S. Titanic. The memorial fountain was dedicated on April 15, 1915. Isidor Straus was born in Bavaria, Germany, in ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Great-grandson of elderly 'Titanic' couple shares their real story
67-year-old Isidor Straus was the co-owner of Macy's department store and a former U.S. Congress ...
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Isidor and Ida Straus were a very well-known and well-regarded couple. "My great-great grandparents had been on holiday in the Riviera and they decided to book ...Missing: reliable sources
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Ida Straus (1849-1912) - Find a Grave Memorial
Ida Straus Famous memorial ; Original Name: Rosalie Ida Blun ; Birth: 6 Feb 1849. Worms, Stadtkreis Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany ; Death: 15 Apr 1912 (aged 63).
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1849: In Worms, Wilhelmine "Mindel" Freudenberg and Nathan Blun gave birth ... Cohn, who had been a successful lace merchant, was still being held ...
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Oct 17, 2025 · Ida's Early Life and Family. Ida Blun was born in 1849 in Worms, Germany. Her parents were Nathan Blun and Wilhelmine "Mindel" Freudenberg.Missing: Louis siblings
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Rosalie Straus Family History & Historical Records - MyHeritage
Rosalie had 6 siblings: Augusta Carolina Eising (born Blun), Louis (Ludwig) Blun and 4 other siblings. ... Ida Straus was born on February 6 1849, in Worms, ...Missing: background childhood<|control11|><|separator|>
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Apr 11, 2024 · Isidor Straus, born into a Jewish family in the quaint city Otterberg in 1845. In 1854 the family immigrated to the United States.Missing: occupation | Show results with:occupation
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Apr 1, 2012 · Ida Straus, the 63-year-old wife of Isidor Straus, 67, millionaire owner of RH Macy's department store, made headlines around the world by refusing to take a ...
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Dec 8, 2017 · The ill-fated lovers in the scene are based on two very real people: Isidor Straus, 67, and his wife Ida Straus, 63.
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Isidor Straus is best known as an owner and manager of the R.H. Macy department store in New York City. During his lifetime he was equally well known as an ...
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Aug 3, 2022 · Isidor and Ida Straus were a well-to-do German-American couple who passed up seats on lifeboats and instead chose to stay together on the RMS Titanic as it ...
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The Straus Family history is a rags to riches immigrant story. Isidor and Nathan's father, Lazarus, immigrated to the United States in 1852, following the 1848 ...
[19]
Straus family papers - NYPL Archives - The New York Public Library
In 1865, the Strauses relocated to New York City, and Isidor and Nathan joined their father in establishing L. Straus and Sons, a glass and chinaware store.Biographical/historical... · Scope And Arrangement · Administrative Information
[20]
Page Not Found
- **Insufficient relevant content**: The requested page (https://www.mupress.org/ProductDescription.aspx?ProductId=731) is unavailable, displaying only an error message: "We cannot find the page you are looking for. We apologize for the inconvenience."
[21]
The Jewish Lower East Side's Mourning For Ida and Isidor Straus
Apr 3, 2023 · But for immigrants to New York at this time of mass immigration ... On Ida's charity see also June Hall McCash, A Titanic Love Story: Ida ...
[22]
A Titanic Love Story: Ida and Isidor Straus - Jewish Book Council
Now McCash's biography of the Strauses fills in their story. We discover that Isidor's ancestors were Jews who had settled in Georgia before the Civil War; the ...Missing: reliable sources
[23]
Settlement Houses in the United States | Jewish Women's Archive
She did not envision Henry Street as a Jewish settlement, but she relied on Jewish philanthropists to support her work. ... Aaron Kohn, Ida Blum Straus, Theresa ...Missing: relief | Show results with:relief
[24]
Timeline | Educational Alliance
It is eventually absorbed into the Legal Aid Society. 1912 – Isidor and Ida Straus drown on the Titanic; leave bequest of $101,000. – A Protective Bureau and a ...
[25]
The real Titanic love story of Ida and Isidor Strauss | The Vintage News
Mar 8, 2017 · Rosalie Ida Strauss was a German-American, born in Worms, Germany, in 1849. At 22, Ida married Isidor Straus, a 26-year-old Palatinate-born ...Missing: meeting courtship
[26]
1912: An Esteemed Jewish Couple Goes Down With the Titanic
Apr 15, 2013 · Among the most well-known Jewish passengers to go down that night were Isidor and Ida Straus. Isidor was one of four children of Lazarus Straus ...
[27]
Ellen Bird : Titanic Survivor - Encyclopedia Titanica
Jan 9, 2016 · Ellen boarded the Titanic at Southampton with the Strauses and she occupied cabin C-97 (ticket number PC 17483). Also travelling in their party ...
[28]
The Real Jack and Rose: Titanic's Isidor and Ida Straus
Feb 20, 2023 · The couple married in 1871, during a time when Isidor worked for his father's business – L. Straus & Sons; a pottery brand integrated into ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
[29]
Isidor Straus : Titanic Victim - Encyclopedia Titanica
Sep 7, 2017 · Mr Isidor Straus, 67, was born in Rhenish Bavaria on 6th February, 1845. In 1854 he emigrated to the United States settling, with his family, to the town of ...
[30]
Gives Life for Love of Husband
### Summary of Ida Straus' Refusal to Board the Lifeboat
[31]
Jesse Straus to Hurry Home - Encyclopedia Titanica
Sep 2, 2004 · News of the disaster was received by wireless, but only on landing was it learned by Mr. Straus that his parents were not among the saved. He ...Missing: death | Show results with:death
[32]
THE STRAUS MEMORIAL MEETING. - The New York Times
A service in memory of Mr. and Mrs. ISIDOR STRAUS, who perished in the wreck of the Titanic, will be held this afternoon in Carnegie Hall.<|control11|><|separator|>
[33]
STRAUS MOURNERS OUT IN VAST THRONG; Such a Crowd at ...
Memorial services for the dead of the Titanic were held yesterday noon in Trin- ity Church under the auspices of St. George's Society in the place of the an- ...
[34]
[PDF] WALTER LORD - A Night to Remember - American Foreign Policy
A Night to Remember was published in 1956 and has never been out of print. Walter. Lord died in 2002. Julian Fellowes is an actor, writer, director and producer ...
[35]
[PDF] Gender Myths of the Titanic Disaster - CORE
Traditionalists worshipped Ida Straus as an icon of the wife who stands by her man, while suffragists insisted that she had courageously asserted ...
[36]
"Where you go, I go" - Jewish Currents
Apr 14, 2018 · Isidor was a founder of the American Jewish Committee, and his philanthropy was also key to sustaining the Educational Alliance of New York and ...
[37]
Meet Isidor and Ida Straus, 'Titanic' Victims Connected to Missing ...
Jun 22, 2023 · Isidor Straus was born in Germany in 1845 and immigrated to the US in 1854. Ida, who was born Rosalie Ida Blun, was also born in Germany, in ...
[38]
A Night to Remember (1958) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
Helen Misener · Mrs. Ida Straus · Mary Monahan · Mary Monahan · Kate · Howard Pays · Howard Pays · Fifth Officer Harold Lowe. Philip Ray in Dark Journey (1937).
[39]
Titanic (TV Mini Series 1996) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
Titanic (TV Mini Series 1996) - Cast and crew credits, including ... Ida Strauss. 2 episodes • 1996. Peter Haworth · Peter Haworth · Mr. Isidor Strauss.
[40]
Titanic (2012) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
Pauline. Faith Tarby in Cholay (2024). Faith Tarby · Faith Tarby · Ida Strauss · Pat Larkin · Pat Larkin · Thomas Andrews · Geoff Smithers · Geoff Smithers.
[41]
"When Weather Changed History" Titanic (TV Episode 2008) - IMDb
(archive footage). Isidor Straus · Self; (archive footage). Rosalie Ida Straus · Self; (archive footage). Eric Wiechert · William Mellors.Missing: Channel | Show results with:Channel
[42]
OceanGate CEO's wife is descended from Titanic victims Ida ... - NPR
Jun 22, 2023 · Stockton Rush, OceanGate's CEO and the pilot on its missing sub, is married to the great-great-granddaughter of Ida and Isidor Straus.
[43]
How The Rush Family Is Connected To Titanic Victims - Screen Rant
Jun 12, 2025 · Isidor & Ida Were Prolific Even Before Their Tragic Deaths. Ida and Isador Straus Netflix's Titan: The OceanGate Disaster, OceanGate documentary.
[44]
New Exhibit at the Titanic Museum Attraction - WHNT.com
Aug 17, 2025 · New Exhibit at the Titanic Museum Attraction: The Straus Titanic Artifacts | Day to Day with Mariah Toggle header content.
[45]
A Titanic Love Story: Ida and Isidor Straus - Barnes & Noble
In stock $6.99 deliveryThis book traces the life of Isidor and Ida Straus, both German Jewish immigrants who arrived as children in America in the early 1850s.
[46]
A Night to Remember | Summary, Quotes, FAQ, Audio - SoBrief
Rating 4.5 (118) May 31, 2025 · What are the key takeaways from "A Night to Remember" by Walter Lord? ... The Straus couple's devotion: Isidor and Ida Straus chose to remain ...
[47]
Sheet Music Deep Dive: Titanic
Jul 30, 2021 · The Titanic's Disaster, published by the Hebrew Publishing Company ... The song is a tribute to a passenger named Ida Straus, who died ...
[48]
Titanic: A New Musical – Still - Genius
Sung by Isidor and Ida Straus onboard a rapidly sinking Titanic, this song reaffirms all the love they began with is still between them.
[49]
Straus Park Highlights - NYC Parks
The Straus Memorial fountain, in which the bronze figure of Memory reclines in contemplation, was dedicated on April 15, 1915.
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STRAUS MONUMENT AND PARK DEDICATED; City Pays Tribute ...
The monument erected to Isidor Straus and his wife, Mrs. Ida Straus, in the triangle at the junction of West End Avenue and Broadway and West 106th Street ...
[51]
Straus Park and Memorial Fountain - Clio
Jan 27, 2021 · Dedicated on April 15, 1915, three years to the day of the sinking of Titanic, the monument consists of a curved, granite exedra topped by a ...
[52]
Isidor Straus (1845-1912) - Find a Grave Memorial
US Congressman, Entrepreneur. He and his younger brother Nathan were co-owners of the New York City department store, H.R. Macy's.
[53]
Artefacts - History of Titanic - Titanic Belfast
The Titanic Experience contains many original Titanic and White Star Line artefacts, along with a number of other fascinating items of cultural and ...
[54]
Copy of letter by Mrs Isidor Strauss, written on board TITANIC
Letter by Mrs Isidor Strauss was posted before the ship sank, on RMS TITANIC writing paper. Also contains copy of a letter from Mrs Jesse Straus (undated).Missing: artifacts | Show results with:artifacts
[55]
2012 Events - Straus Historical Society
In the spring of 2012, SHS participated in several events surrounding the 100th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic. Isidor and Ida Straus were on the ...Missing: social activities<|control11|><|separator|>
[56]
A Love That Defied Death - RMS Titanic, Inc.
Feb 3, 2025 · Isidor Straus came from a family of immigrants who, in 1854, moved from Germany to Georgia when he was a child. From a young age, Isidor was a ...Missing: birth Worms Louis
[57]
The myth and songs inspired by the Jewish couple that perished in ...
Mar 30, 2023 · The Yiddish music written in memory of Isidor and Ida Straus reveals the empathy that Jews had for them ... He married Ida Blun (born 1849 in ...
[58]
P.S. 198 Isidor E. Ida Straus - NYC Public Schools
P.S. 198 Isidor E. Ida Straus · Location: 1700 3 Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10128 (Open external link) · Phone: 212-289-3702 · Fax: 212-410-1731 · School Website.
[59]
Straus Scholarship Program
The Straus Scholarship supports students in public service, continuing the Straus family's legacy. Since 2017, 23 $5,000 scholarships have been awarded.Missing: foundations | Show results with:foundations
[60]
Newsletters - Straus Historical Society
This newsletter contains articles about the 2023 Straus Scholarship Winners, the Back-To-School Social Media Series, What More is There to Learn, and The First ...
[61]
Submersible Pilot's Spouse Is Descended From a Famous Titanic ...
Jun 21, 2023 · Wendy Rush is a great-great-granddaughter of the retailing magnate Isidor Straus and his wife, Ida, two of the wealthiest people to die aboard the ocean liner.Missing: names | Show results with:names