Barbara Bush, the wife of former President George H.W. Bush, served as the first lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
Barbara Bush, former First Lady and Mother of President George Bush is in “failing health”, but she will not seek any further medical treatment, a family spokesman confirmed Sunday.
Instead, according to the family spokesman Jim McGrath, the 92-year-old Barbara Bush will focus on comfort care from now on.
“Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs. Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care,” the statement read.
Statement by the Office of George H. W. Bush on the health of former First Lady Barbara Bush. pic.twitter.com/4csUS6IRKZ
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) April 15, 2018
The statement further elaborated that she is among the family she loves and that she is appreciating the prayers and the messages she is receiving. It described that even in the times of her failing health, she has “been a rock”.
Barbara Bush
June 1, 1990
Wellesley College Commencement“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent.”
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) April 16, 2018
Her husband, George H.W. Bush, whom Barbara married in 1945 – back when he was 19 and she was 20 – is struggling with Parkinson’s disease. That disease has caused difficulties for him to speak, while also forcing him to a wheelchair.
Her son, George W Bush, was the 43rd President of the United States who served two consecutive terms in the Oval House from 2001 – 09. He is currently living a retired life in Texas.
Life of Barbara Bush
I am sending all my love and prayers to the entire Bush family today – Barbara Bush is a woman of great strength, patriotism and an iconic first lady of our times who has touched and inspired countless lives.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 15, 2018
In addition to holding the honor of being the better half of the longest running Presidential couple in American history, Barbara Bush shares another honor: she is only one of the two First Ladies who was also a President’s mother.
The other lady was Abigail Adams, wife of second President John Adams, and mother of sixth President John Quincy Adams.
Keeping Barbara Bush and her family in my heart and prayers. I will never forget how kind she was to me on every occasion we met, and how fondly the White House staff always spoke of her.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) April 15, 2018
During her years in the White House, she started the ‘’Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’’ to boost literacy among the American parents as well as their children. As of today, the foundation has partnered with numerous local programs, in addition to awarding $40million to either create or expand 1,500+ literacy programs all over the US.
She met with Bush Sr. back in 1941 back when she was only 16 and her future husband 17. Just before he left the US to fight in World War II, both got engaged. It was only after his return on leave that Barbara decided to drop out of Smith College and marry him in Jan 1945.
In honor of her lifelong services for the country, Smith College awarded Barbara Bush an honorary degree in 1989.
