Isidor and Ida were a devoted couple who would write to each other daily when Isidor was away on business. Towards the end of 1911 they went away together, spending the winter and early spring of 1912 in Europe. Some sources claim they were supposed to catch a different ship home, but coal strikes in England meant their original journey was cancelled. Instead, they booked two first-class tickets for the Titanic – a decision that proved fatal.

When the boat started to sink, Isidor refused to get into a lifeboat while women and children were still on board. Ida insisted on staying by his side, reportedly saying: "My place is with you". She gave her fur coat to Ellen Bird, her maid, and helped her into a lifeboat. The Straus couple then stood arm-in-arm on the deck until the ship went down, with their story inspiring a popular ballad entitled The Titanic's Disaster (songsheet pictured).

The richest people who sailed on the Titanic