Gilded Tragedy: West Virginia’s Titanic Widow

She has been remembered as the “White Widow of the Titanic.” But she was much more than that…

Eloise Hughes Smith was born into an upper-class West Virginia political family in the era Mark Twain christened the Gilded Age.

She grew up among American presidents and other figures of social importance during a time of rapid, unprecedented change.

Finding love as a debutante bride, her romantic bliss was derailed in April 1912 by the sinking of the Titanic, an event that left Eloise widowed and pregnant at the age of 18.

“Gilded Tragedy” by Brandon Whited is the first complete account of this remarkable woman’s life story.

A widow of the Titanic she was indeed, but she was also a mother, political activist, suffragette, writer, and public speaker.

Through it all, she overcame disillusionment and sorrow because, more than anything else, Eloise was a survivor.