Basic Information
| Name | Mary Jean Eisenhower |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1955-12-21 |
| Birth Place | Washington, D.C. |
| Education | Schuylkill Consolidated School; Westtown School |
| Profession | Humanitarian and nonprofit leader |
| Organization | People to People International |
| Countries Visited | 75+ |
| Awards | Knight of Peace Award; Medal of Honor (Slovak Republic); Consular Corps Award of Excellence |
| Notable Events | Fort Eisenhower renaming (Oct 2023); D-Day letter discussion (June 2025) |
Early Life and Education
Mary Jean Eisenhower was born December 21, 1955, in Washington, D.C. She attended Schuylkill Consolidated School and Westtown School in Pennsylvania and lived in Belgium from 1969 to 1972 during her father’s ambassadorship.
Humanitarian Career
Since 1985, Mary Jean has led People to People International—founded by her grandfather in 1956—as President, CEO, and now Chairman Emeritus. She launched “Peace Camp 2003” and “The Global Peace Initiative,” engaged delegates from over 30 nations in Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, and visited more than 75 countries to promote cultural exchange and demining efforts.
Awards and Honors
| Award | Year | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Knight of Peace Award | — | International University (Italy) |
| Medal of Honor | — | Slovak Republic |
| Consular Corps Award of Excellence | — | U.S. Consular Corps |
Family Members
| Name | Relation | Born–Died | Profession/Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Eisenhower | Father | 1922–2013 | U.S. Army Brigadier General, Ambassador, Author |
| Barbara Jean Thompson | Mother | 1926–2014 | Military spouse, Diplomatic host |
| David Eisenhower | Brother | Born 1948 | Author, UPenn Lecturer, PBS Host |
| Barbara Ann “Anne” Eisenhower | Sister | 1949–2022 | Interior Designer |
| Susan Elaine Eisenhower | Sister | Born 1951 | Policy Consultant, Author |
| Julie Nixon Eisenhower | Sister‑in‑Law | Born 1948 | Author, Nixon Foundation Trustee |
Recent Highlights
- October 2023: Attended renaming of Fort Gordon to Fort Eisenhower in Georgia.
- June 2025: Spoke on her grandfather’s D‑Day leadership letter.
- July 2024: Recalled a White House toy‑car incident from her childhood during a gathering in Abilene.
FAQ
Who is Mary Jean Eisenhower?
Mary Jean Eisenhower serves as Chairman Emeritus of People to People International and has spent four decades advancing global peace and cultural exchange.
What programs did she establish?
She created “Peace Camp 2003” and the “Global Peace Initiative,” bringing together youth from more than 30 countries.
Who are her parents?
Her father, John Eisenhower, was a U.S. Army Brigadier General and Ambassador to Belgium; her mother, Barbara Jean Thompson, supported diplomatic missions alongside her husband.
How many countries has she visited?
She has traveled to over 75 countries to observe demining operations, visit peace camps, and foster intercultural dialogue.
Which major awards has she received?
She earned the Knight of Peace Award, the Slovak Republic’s Medal of Honor, and the U.S. Consular Corps Award of Excellence.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jean_Eisenhower | Biography and career of Mary Jean Eisenhower, including her role with People to People International. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_of_Dwight_D._Eisenhower | Overview of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s descendants, including Mary Jean and her siblings. |
| https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/meet/mary-eisenhower | Profile of Mary Jean Eisenhower’s humanitarian work and affiliation with the Gary Sinise Foundation. |
| https://www.wrdw.com/2023/10/31/touching-ceremony-will-be-lifetime-memory-eisenhowers-granddaughter/ | Coverage of Mary Jean Eisenhower attending the renaming of Fort Gordon to Fort Eisenhower in October 2023. |
| https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/22/granddaughter-of-a-man-from-abilene-cheers-potential-of-a-leg-up-from-u-s-government/ | Interview highlighting Mary Jean’s remarks on her grandfather’s legacy of educational opportunity in August 2023. |
| https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKkNCQhRvrS/ | Kansas City PBS Instagram reel featuring Mary Jean Eisenhower discussing her grandfather’s D‑Day letter in June 2025. |
| https://www.abilene-rc.com/news/mary-jean-eisenhower-and-parents-react-to-people-to-people-international-filing-bankruptcy/article_7897a780-b5b0-11ec-8edb-cf1cb61f2081.html | Abilene Reflector‑Chronicle article on Mary Jean’s reaction to PTPI’s bankruptcy filing in April 2022. |
| https://www.dnronline.com/news/president-eisenhowers-granddaughter-visits-bridgewater-for-aviation-gala/article_53ca0733-53f2-5c3f-81df-53b5c0c133c9.html | Daily News‑Record report on Mary Jean Eisenhower as guest of honor at a Virginia aviation gala in November 2023. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Eisenhower | John Eisenhower’s military, diplomatic, and authorship career details. |
| https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136294870/barbara-jean-eisenhower-foltz | Memorial page for Barbara Jean Thompson Eisenhower Foltz, including biographical dates. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Eisenhower | David Eisenhower’s education, media work, and authorship profile. |
| https://www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/news/qa-david-eisenhower-bidens-decision-bow-out | Annenberg School Q&A with David Eisenhower on President Biden’s decision in July 2024. |
| https://www.cltampa.com/arts/david-eisenhower-on-his-grandfather-trump-and-a-happy-marriage-12299364 | Creative Loafing Tampa interview with David Eisenhower in June 2025. |
| https://www.rmpbs.org/shows/whole-truth-david-eisenhower | Rocky Mountain PBS page for *The Whole Truth with David Eisenhower*. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Eisenhower | Barbara Ann “Anne” Eisenhower’s interior design career and education. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Eisenhower | Susan Elaine Eisenhower’s policy consulting, authorship, and affiliations. |
| https://whatsupnewp.com/2024/04/author-susan-eisenhower-a-granddaughter-of-president-eisenhower-will-speak-at-salve-regina-university-commencement/ | What’s Up Newp article on Susan Eisenhower delivering Salve Regina commencement address in April 2024. |
| https://americanlibraryinparis.org/event/eisenhower24/ | American Library in Paris event listing for Susan Eisenhower’s November 2024 talk. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2xW5kEdC84 | YouTube video of Susan Eisenhower at the Annual Awards Dinner in May 2025. |
| https://susaneisenhower.com/ | Official website of Susan Eisenhower, detailing her publications and ongoing work. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Nixon_Eisenhower | Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s authorship and roles with the Nixon Foundation. |
| https://www.nixonfoundation.org/2023/12/new-display-celebrates-julie-and-david-eisenhowers-55th-wedding-anniversary/ | Nixon Foundation announcement of the 55th wedding anniversary exhibit in December 2023. |
| https://www.nixonfoundation.org/board-of-directors/julie-nixon-eisenhower/ | Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s profile on the Nixon Foundation Board of Directors page. |
| https://www.aarp.org/events-history/where-are-they-now-julie-and-david-eisenhower-2010/ | AARP feature on Julie and David Eisenhower’s post-White House activities. |
