Xenia Simons Miller

Xenia Simons Miller (July 9, 1917 – February 21, 2008) was a philanthropist and patron of art and modern architecture. She was married to the CEO of Cummins, J. Irwin Miller.

Early life Born in Morgantown, Indiana, to Nellie Hosetta Wellons and Luther A. Simons, Xenia Ruth Simons grew up in Bartholomew County and graduated from Columbus North High School in 1934. She attended Indiana Business College after high school.

Xenia married J. Irwin Miller in Washington, D.C., on February 3, 1943. They met while working at Cummins. J. Irwin and Xenia had five children: Margaret, Catherine, Elizabeth, Hugh, and William. Xenia was influential in the design of the Miller House, working with Saarinen and Girard to direct the design.

In a letter to J. Irwin in 1943, Xenia wrote "Can you picture a very, very modern house with huge front windows, a flat rooftop built of something beige color coming out from under the trees at the edge of the woods on our hill?"

Awards In addition to joint recognitions and awards received with J. Irwin, Xenia received honorary doctorates from Butler University, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, MacMurray College, and Christian Theological Seminary. She was named one of the Most Influential Women in Indiana by the Indianapolis Star in 1974 and one of Indianapolis Monthly's five Most Influential Women in Indiana in 1984.