Together and forever: a story of true love and a symbol of tragedy (5 photos)

When the film "Titanic" was released, the story of love and the tragedy of Rose and Jack was imbued with many, if not all. Meanwhile true love and drama in the picture also took place. In a small episode - reference to real events.





The true spirit of history is conveyed by a short episode - an elderly a married couple remains in bed, embracing in anticipation of the inevitable of death. Isidore and Ida Strauss did not die in bed. But their love story devotion and endurance deserves separate consideration.



Wedding portrait of the spouses and a frame from the movie "Titanic" in 1997

Young people moved from Germany to the States and got married in 1871. The couple was wealthy: Isidore was a co-owner of the brand Macy's, under which porcelain and glass products were produced. Ida took care of home and children, of which the couple had six, not counting one baby who died in infancy.





Spouses Strauss

The couple sincerely loved each other, yearned in separation and even during a short parting, they exchanged letters. That trip became a pure coincidence. Fatal coincidence. Because the the couple traditionally vacationed in California with a business partner Isidore Abraham. But that year he died. And it turned out that home from Europe to New York, the Strauss couple had to return on the ill-fated "Titanic".

The story of the last day of the life of the spouses became known thanks to Ida's maid Ellen Bird. A place was prepared for Ida in boat. The officer in charge of her descent and sailing told Isidore that his status and respectable age allow him to take a place in the boat. On that Strauss replied that he would not get into the boat before the other men. Then and Ida refused, saying that they had lived together for so many years, and she did not leave her husband. The woman gave her place to Ellen. And handed over my fur coat, declaring that she would no longer need it.



Drawing by Paul Thiriat, published in the Excelsior newspaper dated 20 April 1912, depicting the last moments experienced by a couple during time of the wreck of the Titanic

Then Ida was offered a place in another boat, but, apparently, she knew her husband too well and realized that he would not get into the boat until women and children will not be evacuated. And she made his decision. Last thing, what Ellen saw after sailing were the couple sitting in sun loungers on deck of the Titanic slowly sinking into the ocean.



Memorial plaque for Ida and Isidor Strauss at Macy's

Byrd escaped and told about Ida's act to her children. So oh The decision of the Strauss was known to the whole world. They, or at least Ida there were real chances to be saved thanks to the status. But the spouses who lived together for 40 years, decided not to part on this last journey. Body Isidore was found. He is buried in New York's Woodlawn Cemetery. I'm not going were able to find. She rested forever in the depths of the ocean. Next to the grave of Isidore is a cenotaph with a touching symbolic inscription "Great waters cannot quench love - and floods cannot drown her".