Barbara Bush

Who Is Barbara Bush?

Barbara Bush, the only woman besides Abigail Adams to be both a wife and a mother of U.S. presidents, married George H.W. Bush in 1945. George H.W. Bush went on to serve as vice president from 1981 to 1989 and as president from 1989 to 1993. In 1989, Barbara Bush established the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Her son, George W. Bush, was inaugurated as president in 2001. The former first lady passed away on April 17, 2018, at her home in Houston, Texas.

Early Life

Barbara Pierce was born on June 8, 1925, in New York City to Marvin and Pauline Pierce. Her mother, Pauline, was a conservationist and the daughter of an Ohio Supreme Court justice, while her father, Marvin, was president of the McCall Corporation, publisher of McCall’s and Redbook magazines. Barbara grew up in Rye, New York, in an Episcopalian family. As a child, she was athletic, witty, and most passionate about reading. She attended Milton Public School and Rye Country Day School before enrolling at Ashley Hall, a boarding school in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1940.

Marriage to George H.W. Bush and Family

Barbara first met George H.W. Bush during Christmas break in 1941 when she was 16 and he was a senior at Phillips Academy. Although they had little time together due to his service as a combat pilot in World War II, they kept in touch through letters. After dropping out of Smith College following her freshman year, Barbara married George in January 1945, shortly after he returned from the war.

The newlyweds moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where George attended Yale University. Their first child, George W. Bush, was born in 1946. After George graduated from Yale in 1948, the family moved to Texas and California, where he entered the oil business. In September 1949, Barbara’s parents were involved in a car accident that resulted in her mother’s death. Barbara, who was pregnant at the time, was advised not to travel to the funeral, an experience that deeply affected her.

Three months later, the Bushes welcomed a second child, Pauline Robinson Bush, who was nicknamed “Robin.” Tragically, Robin passed away from leukemia in October 1953, a loss that profoundly impacted Barbara and George. This period of grief also caused Barbara’s reddish-brown hair to turn prematurely white.

The Bush family continued to grow with the birth of their third child, John Ellis “Jeb” Bush, just before Robin’s diagnosis. Two more sons, Neil Mallon Bush and Marvin Pierce Bush, were born in 1955 and 1956, respectively. Their final child, Dorothy “Doro” Bush, was born in 1959. Barbara devoted much of her time to being a mother and wife, volunteering for organizations like the YMCA and United Way. The family settled in Midland, Texas, where George H.W. Bush found success in the petroleum industry. Barbara also played a crucial role in her husband’s political career, supporting his campaigns. In 1966, George was elected to Congress, and the family relocated to Washington, D.C., marking the beginning of their political journey.

Political Wife

In 1970, President Richard Nixon urged George H.W. Bush to relinquish his seat in the House of Representatives and pursue a run for the U.S. Senate in Texas, a bid that ultimately ended in defeat to Lloyd Bentsen. Shortly thereafter, George lobbied Nixon for a diplomatic role, successfully securing an appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The Bush family relocated to New York City, where they settled into the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Hotel. There, Barbara’s social poise and exceptional entertaining skills quickly made her a favorite among foreign dignitaries.

As the Watergate scandal began to unravel in 1973, Nixon asked George to leave his U.N. post to head the Republican National Committee. Barbara expressed concerns that defending the embattled administration could harm her husband’s political prospects. In August 1974, Nixon resigned in disgrace, and Gerald Ford assumed the presidency. Given a selection of diplomatic posts, George chose to serve as Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China. Barbara, traveling abroad for the first time, embraced the cultural experience, even learning the language. However, their time in China was brief, as in 1975, President Ford appointed George as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), an agency under scrutiny following its involvement in Watergate and the Vietnam War. Again, Barbara grew apprehensive that this position might hinder George’s future political career.

During George’s tenure at the CIA, and with their children away at school, Barbara struggled with depression, a condition she chose to endure privately without seeking medical help. This personal challenge, however, deepened her understanding and empathy for those with mental health issues. By 1979, as George launched his presidential campaign, Barbara had returned to the campaign trail, connecting with voters. While the Bush campaign ultimately fell short of securing the Republican nomination, Ronald Reagan selected George as his vice-presidential running mate, contributing to the Reagan-Bush victory in the 1980 election.

First Lady and Beyond

Barbara’s role as First Lady of the United States began when George became vice president in January 1981. During this time, she traveled extensively to represent American interests abroad, fostering diplomatic relationships and forming lasting friendships with world leaders. Her popularity soared, and in part driven by her son Neil’s struggles with dyslexia, she became an ardent advocate for literacy. She educated herself on issues of child and adult illiteracy and engaged with several organizations dedicated to the cause.

After two terms as vice president, George ran for president in 1988, defeating Democratic challenger Michael Dukakis. On January 20, 1989, George was inaugurated as the 41st President of the United States, and Barbara assumed the role of First Lady. Her personal style contrasted with that of her predecessor, Nancy Reagan, favoring practical choices over high fashion, even opting for a modest $29 pair of shoes for her husband’s inaugural ball. Known for wearing multiple strands of faux beads, she often turned to fashion designer Arnold Scaasi for her official wardrobe, as he understood her practical preferences. While Barbara embraced her traditional role as First Lady, she kept her political opinions private, often stating, “I don’t fool around with his office, and he doesn’t fool around with my household.”

In 1989, Barbara was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a thyroid disorder that caused her eyes to appear puffy and red. She underwent radiation therapy to alleviate the symptoms but continued to serve the public with unwavering dedication. One of her most significant accomplishments as First Lady was founding the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which supports organizations that promote reading skills for both children and adults. She also authored Millie’s Book, a humorous account of the White House from the perspective of the Bush family’s Springer Spaniel, Millie, which raised nearly $1 million for literacy programs.

The Bush presidency saw pivotal global events, including the end of the Cold War and the U.S. involvement in the Gulf War. In 1990, President Bush launched Operation Desert Shield in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, and the ensuing Gulf War ended in a decisive victory for the coalition forces. The successful military campaign bolstered George’s approval ratings, but economic challenges in 1992 led to his defeat by Bill Clinton in the presidential election. George and Barbara left the White House in January 1993, returning to their home in Texas.

Family Legacy

Post-presidency, Barbara continued to champion literacy initiatives, raising millions of dollars for the cause. She also embraced her new role as a grandmother, watching her son George W. rise to prominence as the Governor of Texas, later becoming the 43rd President of the United States. In 2004, George W. was re-elected for a second term, while Jeb Bush also had a successful political career, becoming the Governor of Florida.

Barbara remained active in public service, including supporting Mitt Romney during his 2012 presidential campaign and Jeb Bush’s run for the Republican nomination in 2016. She split her time between Houston, Texas, and their summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, while remaining deeply involved with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

Later Years and Death

Barbara faced several health challenges in her later years. In January 2017, she and George were both hospitalized for separate medical issues. Barbara was released from the hospital in late January, and the couple appeared at the Super Bowl in February 2017, where George performed the coin toss. Despite struggling with chronic heart and respiratory conditions, Barbara remained resilient, choosing comfort care over further medical treatment in April 2018. On April 17, 2018, Barbara passed away at the age of 92. Her son George W. issued a statement honoring his mother’s legacy: “Barbara Bush was a fabulous First Lady and a woman unlike any other who brought levity, love, and literacy to millions. To us, she was so much more. Mom kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end. I’m a lucky man that Barbara Bush was my mother. Our family will miss her dearly, and we thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.”