Lost Love and Hidden Connections: Married Titanic Submarine Pilot Descended from Victims of Shipwreck

Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Expeditions. EyePress News/Shutterstock

According to archival records published by The New York Times on Wednesday, June 21, Wendy Rush, the wife of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, has a significant connection to the Titanic submarine. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, first-class passengers aboard the famous shipwreck that the vessel was meant to explore. Wendy, formerly known as Wendy Hollings Weil, is a descendant of Minnie, one of the couple's seven children, who married Dr. Richard Weil in 1905.

According to the UK National Archives website, Isidor and Ida embarked on the Titanic along with Ida’s maid, Ellen Bird, and manservant, John Farthing, to return to the U.S. from their native Germany. Despite being directed towards lifeboats as the ship was sinking, Isidor chose not to board until younger men were given the opportunity. Similarly, Ida insisted on staying behind, refusing to leave without her husband.

Ida is said to have handed over her fur coat to Ellen before they both boarded a lifeboat, and tragically, they perished as the Titanic sank. Isidor's body was eventually found and laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in New York, but the remains of Ida and John were never recovered. In honor of the couple, a memorial was erected in Straus Park in New York City, which was named after them.

Stockton, along with four other passengers, including Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, and renowned Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, was on the private submersible that disappeared earlier this week. Fans of the 1997 Oscar-winning film Titanic may remember a fictionalized portrayal of Isidor and Ida as the elderly couple seen holding each other in bed as water flooded their room. Additionally, the couple was featured in a deleted scene where Ida expresses her unwillingness to board a lifeboat without her husband.

OceanGate issued a statement via Twitter on Monday, June 19, expressing their commitment to ensuring the safe return of the crew. They emphasized their focus on the well-being of the crewmembers in the submersible and their families. The company expressed gratitude for the support received from various government agencies and deep sea companies in their efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible. OceanGate is actively exploring and mobilizing all available options to bring the crew back safely.

Brian Szasz, Harding's stepson, gained attention when he attended a Blink-182 concert while his stepfather and the other missing passengers were being searched for. In a Facebook post on Monday, the 37-year-old expressed that although it may be viewed as inappropriate, his family would want him to be at the Blink-182 show as it is his favorite band and music provides solace during difficult times.

Subsequently, he reached out to Blink-182 band member Tom DeLonge through a Twitter message, informing him of his stepfather's disappearance at the Titanic site. Szasz expressed his gratitude for the support while attending the San Diego show.

Titanic Design Pics Inc/Shutterstock

Szasz faced criticism on social media, including from Cardi B, after he deleted his Facebook post. In an Instagram Story video on Tuesday, June 20, the 30-year-old rapper expressed her opinion, saying, "What is he supposed to do? Be sad at the house? Is he supposed to go look for him himself? Yes. You're supposed to be at the house sad. You're supposed to be crying for me. You're supposed to be right next to the phone waiting to hear any updates about me."

Szasz further criticized Cardi B on Twitter, referring to her as a "trashy celebrity" and expressing disappointment in her behavior. He also mentioned attending a Blink 182 concert as a way to escape from the news, and urged Cardi B to show more class.