George H.W. Bush

Who Was George H.W. Bush?

George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, led the nation through a significant period of global change and conflict. A decorated World War II veteran, he became a prominent political figure, serving as a congressman, vice president under Ronald Reagan, and ultimately, president. His leadership during the Gulf War and his handling of the end of the Cold War remain key highlights of his presidency. After leaving office, he continued to contribute to public service, supporting various charitable efforts and lending his voice to his son’s presidential campaign.

Early Life

Born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts, George Herbert Walker Bush came from a politically connected and affluent family. His father, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. senator, and Bush himself attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, an elite preparatory school. In 1941, at the age of 17, he met Barbara Pierce at a Christmas dance, and the two soon began dating, marrying in January 1945.

Upon turning 18, Bush enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he became the youngest aviator in the service. During World War II, he flew 58 combat missions as a torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater, where he narrowly survived an attack on his plane. For his courage and service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, Bush attended Yale University, earning a degree in economics in 1948. He later moved to Midland, Texas, where he found success in the oil industry.

Congressman and Vice President

Bush’s political career began in 1963 when he became chairman of the Harris County Republican Party. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 1964 but was unsuccessful. However, in 1966, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving two terms. Over the next decade, he held several key positions, including U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee during the Watergate scandal, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

In 1980, Bush ran for president but lost the Republican nomination to Ronald Reagan. Nonetheless, Reagan selected him as his vice-presidential running mate, and the two won the presidency in 1980. Bush served two terms as vice president, focusing on foreign policy and economic issues.

Presidency

Bush achieved the presidency in 1989 after defeating Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis in the 1988 election. During his campaign, he famously declared, “Read my lips: No new taxes,” a promise that would later play a significant role in his political challenges.

As president, Bush faced a rapidly changing world. He responded decisively to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and managed the U.S. military’s intervention in Panama to oust dictator Manuel Noriega. His most notable success came in 1990 when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Bush formed a broad international coalition and led a military intervention, known as the Gulf War, to expel Iraqi forces and restore Kuwait’s sovereignty. This achievement is widely regarded as his greatest presidential triumph. However, his handling of domestic economic issues, particularly the recession of the early 1990s, hurt his approval ratings and contributed to his defeat in the 1992 presidential election by Bill Clinton.

Post-Presidency

After leaving office, Bush remained active in public life. He supported his son, George W. Bush, during his presidential campaign in 2000 and continued to advocate for various charitable causes. In 2005, he teamed up with former president Bill Clinton to create the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to provide relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The fund raised over $100 million in its first months.

In recognition of his lifetime of service, President Barack Obama awarded Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, one of the highest honors a U.S. citizen can receive.

George H.W. Bush’s legacy is defined by his steady leadership during a period of immense global transformation and his commitment to public service, both during and after his presidency.

Health Issues

In November 2012, the 88-year-old George H. W. Bush was hospitalized in Houston, Texas, to receive treatment for a cough related to bronchitis. Although his condition improved, he remained in the hospital due to complications from other health issues. A persistent fever led to his transfer to the intensive care unit in December. During this time, it was revealed that Bush was also dealing with lower-body parkinsonism, a condition that left him reliant on a wheelchair.

Despite these challenges, Bush appeared in good spirits in July 2013. Photos released to the press showed him with a shaved head in solidarity with a young boy, the son of a Secret Service agent, who was battling leukemia. Bush and his wife Barbara also contributed to a fund for the boy’s medical expenses.

Bush was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital again in December 2014 after experiencing shortness of breath. In 2013, he had been hospitalized for two months due to bronchitis. However, despite his ongoing health issues, Bush remained active and adventurous. He marked several milestone birthdays by skydiving, including for his 80th, 85th, and 90th birthdays. His final jump occurred in June 2014.

In July 2015, at the age of 91, Bush suffered a fall at his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, breaking a vertebra in his neck. His condition was not deemed life-threatening. On January 14, 2017, he was hospitalized for an acute respiratory issue stemming from pneumonia. His wife Barbara was hospitalized a few days later, but both were able to attend Super Bowl LI in February 2017, where Bush performed the coin toss.

Following the death of Barbara in April 2018, Bush was hospitalized for an infection that led to sepsis. He was placed in intensive care but his condition stabilized. Later that year, after returning to Maine for the summer, Bush was again hospitalized for low blood pressure and fatigue. However, his health improved, and he was discharged after a week.

In June 2018, Bush demonstrated his characteristic sense of humor by wearing a pair of socks featuring Bill Clinton’s face during a visit from his former presidential successor. He shared the moment with a tweet, playfully remarking on their friendship and the occasion.

Sexual Harassment Allegations

In late 2017, Bush became one of many prominent figures accused of sexual harassment, with allegations dating back to 1992, though most of the claims came from more recent events. His spokesman, Jim McGrath, suggested that the accusations stemmed from Bush’s difficulty in reaching above waist level while posing for photographs with women due to his wheelchair.

Longest-Living President

On November 25, 2017, Bush officially became the longest-living president in American history, surpassing Gerald Ford’s previous record by living to 93 years and 166 days. He remained the longest-living president until his death, at which point Jimmy Carter surpassed him in this regard.

Death

George H. W. Bush passed away on November 30, 2018, at 10:10 p.m. in Houston, Texas. His son, George W. Bush, issued a statement expressing the family’s deep sadness: “Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died. George H. W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41’s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens.”

Bush spent the majority of his later years in Houston or at the family home in Kennebunkport, Maine. He was married to Barbara for over 70 years, and together they had six children: George, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. Their daughter Robin passed away in 1953.