Julie Nixon Eisenhower

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Julie Nixon
Born July 5, 1948 (1948-07-05) (age 59)
Washington, D.C.
Occupation Author
Spouse David Eisenhower
Children Jennie Elizabeth Eisenhower, Alexander Richard Eisenhower, Melanie Catherine Eisenhower
Parents Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon

Julie Nixon (born July 5, 1948 in Washington, D.C.) is the second daughter of Richard and Pat Nixon and younger sister of Tricia Nixon Cox. In 1968, she married David Eisenhower. While her father served as President, she wrote several books and worked as Assistant Managing Editor of the Saturday Evening Post. Since her father left the White House in 1974, she has written a few more books and works to support her parents' legacy.

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[edit] Early life

Julie Nixon was born while her father was a Congressman. As a teenager she attended the private Sidwell Friends School in Washington along with her sister, Tricia. Julie left school in 1961, after her father lost his Presidential bid in 1960. The family returned to California where her father ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 1962. The Nixons moved to New York after the gubernatorial race. Julie attended Smith College after her graduation from high school and received a Master's from The Catholic University of America in 1972.

[edit] Marriage

On December 22, 1968, after her father was elected president but before he took office, Julie married David Eisenhower, grandson of 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The couple had known each other since meeting at the 1956 Republican National Convention. The Reverend Norman Vincent Peale officiated in the non-denominational rite at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.

The Eisenhowers have three children:

[edit] First daughter

While her father served as President after his election in 1968, Julie became active at the White House becoming spokesperson for children's issues, the environment, and the elderly. She gave tours to disabled children, filled in for her mother at events, and took an active interest in foreign policy. From 1973-75, she served as Assistant Managing Editor of the Saturday Evening Post and helped establish a book division for Curtis Publishing Co., its parent corporation. It was during this time that Julie wrote the book Eye On Nixon. It was a book full of photographs of her father.

Once she appeared on The Mike Douglas Show in 1970, and Mike asked her what she thought about the new fad called "streaking," where someone runs naked in public. She responded, "I don't know how they can come off like that!" which was a double entendre that had left the whole studio laughing.[citation needed]

[edit] Watergate

Further information: Watergate scandal

After the news of the Watergate break-in and suspicions that it might reach as high as the oval office began to mount, Julie took on the press at home and abroad. Her defense of her father caused people to wonder why her mother wasn't saying anything about the scandal. Journalist Nora Ephron wrote, "In the months since the Watergate hearings began, she [Julie] has become her father's...First Lady in practice if not in fact.[2]

Julie's public defense of her father began at Walt Disney World on May 2, 1973. She gave a total of 138 interviews across the country. In the summer of 1973, she and David went to London where Julie appeared on the BBC.[2]

On July 4, 1973, she told two reporters that her father had considered resigning over Watergate, but that the family had talked him out of it.[2]

On May 7, 1974, Julie and David met with the press in the East Garden of the White House. She announced that the President planned "...to take this constitutionally down to the wire."[2]

Just before noon on August 9, 1974, Julie stood behind her father while he gave his good bye speech to the White House staff. She would later say it was the hardest moment for him.[2]

[edit] Life after the White House

Julie and David settled in Pennsylvania, where she completed several books, including Pat Nixon: The Untold Story, a biography of her mother. She has an extensive record of community service in the Philadelphia area and is co-chair of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Birthplace Foundation. They are still married to this day.

In the 2008 US presidential election, Eisenhower appears to support Democratic Party candidate Barack Obama. Based on Federal Election Commission records, she has contributed the maximum amount allowed during the primary season.[3]

[edit] External links

  1. ^ Julie Nixon Eisenhower at the Internet Movie Database
  2. ^ a b c d e David, Lester and Thomas Y. Crowell. The Lonely Lady of San Clemente. New York, 1978. p. 172-174.
  3. ^ AP. "Nixon's daughter gives to Obama", ABC News, April 22, 2008. Accessed April 22, 2008.


Persondata
NAME Eisenhower, Julie Nixon
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Author
DATE OF BIRTH 1948-7-5
PLACE OF BIRTH Washington, D.C.
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH