Letitia Baldrige and the Timeless Power of Business Etiquette

I had the extraordinary pleasure of meeting Letitia Baldrige at The Dallas Museum of Art. At the time, I had just launched The American Academy of Etiquette, and Mrs. Baldrige was the keynote speaker on a very cold Sunday afternoon. I could hardly wait to meet the woman who had shaped so much of modern etiquette.

Best known as Jacqueline Kennedy’s White House social secretary, Letitia Baldrige was also an accomplished author, etiquette advisor, and one of the most recognized voices in contemporary manners. I still treasure my signed copy of In the Kennedy Style: Magical Evenings in the White House—a book that captures the elegance and charm of that historic era.

The Influence of Letitia Baldrige on Business Etiquette

Mrs. Baldrige passed away on October 29, 2012, at the age of 86. By the 1970s, she had already become America’s leading authority on etiquette, writing a nationally syndicated newspaper column and updating Amy Vanderbilt’s classic etiquette guide—a project that even landed her on the cover of Time magazine.

Over her career, she authored fourteen books, many of which remain staples in professional and social etiquette. For me, she has been a guiding light and resource for business etiquette since the year 2000.

Her philosophy shaped the way I approach teaching etiquette today and continues to influence our Business Etiquette Certification programs.

Letitia Baldrige’s Philosophy: Manners as the Cornerstone of Humanity

What made Mrs. Baldrige remarkable was not just her knowledge, but her perspective. She believed that family is where values and manners begin. After all, Jacqueline Kennedy herself learned them from her mother.

She reminded us that manners are not rigid rules, but acts of consideration for others—simple gestures that make us more human.

This timeless philosophy is the same principle I teach in business etiquette training today: respect, professionalism, and presence are the foundation of modern workplace success.

A Lasting Legacy for Today’s Professionals

Mrs. Baldrige, thank you for sharing your wisdom, knowledge, and grace. Your influence continues to inspire those of us who teach, write, and speak about etiquette.

If you are called to carry on this tradition and inspire others with the power of manners, explore our Business Etiquette Certification. This program equips you to train leaders, teams, and organizations with the confidence and presence that Mrs. Baldrige herself embodied.

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