Barbara Pierce Bush is the wife of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. She served as First Lady from 1989 to 1993. She is also the mother of the 43rd President, George W. Bush.
Early Life
Barbara Pierce was born on June 8, 1925, in New York City. She grew up in Rye, New York. Her father, Marvin Pierce, later became president of McCall Corporation. After elementary school, she attended boarding school at Ashley Hall in South Carolina.
Barbara met George H.W. Bush in 1941, when they both attended a Christmas dance in Greenwich, Connecticut. They were engaged two years later, but spent most of their time apart due to World War II.
Marriage to George H.W. Bush
Barbara and George H.W. Bush married on January 6, 1945, while George was on leave from the Navy. They went on to have six children: George, Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy.
Their second child, Robin, died of leukemia at the age of four. Following the devastating loss, Barbara’s hair prematurely turned white. It became her distinguishing feature and earned her the nickname, “Silver Fox.”
After George concluded his military service, the couple moved to Connecticut, where he continued his studies at Yale University. Following his graduation, they moved to Texas, where George established a successful oil business.
George Bush entered politics in 1962, as chairman of the Harris County Republican Party. He went on to serve as a member of Congress, U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and as Vice President.
While George focused on his political career, Barbara was devoted to their children. However, she also became a well-respected and admired political spouse, known for her warmth and quick wit.
First Lady of the United States
George Bush was elected President in 1988, elevating Barbara from Second Lady of the United States to First Lady. She continued to be extremely popular, both with the public and the press.
During her tenure, Barbara Bush focused much of her attention of literacy issues, characterizing it as the “most important issue we have.” In 1984, she wrote a children’s book, C. Fred’s Story, which described the adventures of a family from the perspective of their cocker spaniel, C. Fred. She donated the profit from sales of the book to literacy charities. She later helped found the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
Having suffered a devastating cancer loss herself, Barbara Bush championed cancer research. She also supported the programs to benefit the homeless, AIDS, the elderly, and education.
Later Life
After George Bush lost his reelection campaign, the couple returned to Texas. Throughout her remaining years, Barbara Bush remained devoted to her family. While she preferred to remain out of the public spotlight, she supported the political aspirations of her children, including the election of her son, George W. Bush, as President of the United States. She died on April 17, 2018, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 92.
