TITANIC - the saga of TRUE LOVE !!

In the movie Titanic the scene showing an elderly couple embracing while the ship sunk was based on a real couple.

Isidor Straus (February 6, 1845 – April 15, 1912) was a German-born Jewish American businessman. Ida Straus, born Rosalie Ida Blun (February 6, 1849 – April 15, 1912) was an American homemaker and Isidor's wife. They were the couple portrayed in the movie.

They were the owners of Macy's. Raised in the south during the Civil War, Isidor would go on to New York where he would jointly found a store that sold crockery and glassware with his brother.

After becoming extremely wealthy, Isidor married Rosalie Ida Blun, and by all accounts the two were inseparable. When apart they would write letters every single day and tried to always stay in each other’s company.

Ida spent the winter in Europe with her beloved husband Isidor. They originally planned to return home on a different ship but there was a coal strike in England and all the coal was being diverted to Titanic. That is why they were on the Titanic on the night of the sinking, Isidor and Ida Straus were seen standing near Lifeboat No. 8 in the company of Mrs. Straus's maid, Ellen Bird. Although the officer in charge of the lifeboat was willing to allow the elderly couple to board the lifeboat with Miss Bird, Isidor Straus refused to go so as long as there were women and children still remaining on the ship. He urged his wife to board, but she refused, saying, "We have lived together for many years. Where you go, I go." Her words were witnessed by those already in Lifeboat No. 8 as well as many others who were on the boat deck at the time. Isidor and Ida were last seen standing arm in arm on the deck until a massive wave washed them into the ocean.

When the survivors of the disaster arrived in New York City aboard the RMS Carpathia, many, including Ellen Bird, told reporters of Mrs. Straus's loyalty and fidelity to her husband. Eyewitnesses described the scene as a "most remarkable exhibition of love and devotion."

Although Isidor's body was recovered, Ida's body was not. A cenotaph at the Straus Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx is dedicated to Isidor and Ida together. Its inscription reads: "Many waters cannot quench love - neither can the floods drown it.(Canticles 8:7 from the Song of Solomon)

Today a memorial for Ida and Isidor can be seen on the main floor of Macy’s Department Store in Manhattan.