Ida Saxton McKinley

Biography

Ida Saxton McKinley brought warmth, poise, and a gentle strength to the White House during her husband William McKinley’s presidency, supporting him through pivotal decisions while also navigating her own fragile health. Raised in a mercantile family in Canton, Ohio, she became known for her quiet intelligence, gracious hospitality, and unwavering encouragement as the nation faced a rapidly changing world.

Even as she struggled with illness, Mrs. McKinley remained devoted to charitable causes and to sustaining the dignity of the office she held; her compassion left a lasting impression on those who served her and witnessed her determination. She was laid to rest at the McKinley National Memorial, where her legacy of grace and loyalty endures.