Barbara Bush is a true embodiment of the American dream, a beloved and loving wife, a happy mother, and a successful public figure. She lived a long and varied life, was respected by her colleagues and very popular with voters.
Childhood and adolescence: the beginning of a biography
Barbara Bush (maiden name Pierce) was born in 1925 in Queens, one of the boroughs of New York. Surprisingly, the fate of the girl was predetermined at birth; through her father, she was a distant relative of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States.
The family was friendly and wealthy enough. Father Marvin Pearce was a publisher of glossy magazines, mother Pauline Robinson was a housewife. The girl received a good education at a private school in Charleston, specializing in the education of real ladies.
Family and personal life
Barbara met her future husband George at a ball. The attractive young man attended military school and charmed sixteen-year-old Barbara with impeccable manners and charm. The sympathy was mutual and grew into true love. Soon the young people got engaged, and then George was drafted into the army. Bush served in the naval aviation and assigned the name of the bride to all the planes he flew. The wedding took place in the winter of 1945, after which the couple practically did not part.
In the marriage, 6 children were born - 4 sons and 2 daughters. To the great grief of her parents, the eldest girl, Pauline Robinson, died of leukemia at the age of 4. Barbara was very upset by the loss, it was after the death of her daughter that she completely turned gray. The rest of the children grew up healthy, their parents gave them an excellent education and a great start in life. As a result, the eldest son, named after his father, became the governor of Texas and the president of the United States, John Ellis (Jeb) became the governor of Florida, Neil Mallon and Marvin Pierce found themselves in business. The youngest daughter Dorothy (married Koch) is engaged in social activities and charity.
First lady
George W. Bush was elected President of the United States in 1989 and held this post until 1993. All this time, Barbara has been an impeccable first lady. Unlike in Europe, in the United States this post is considered very important; the president's wife has a variety of responsibilities: from official receptions to personal charitable programs. Barbara has focused on fighting illiteracy among the poorest and immigrants. She has overseen numerous charitable foundations, organized new programs, attracting the attention of the public and business to them.
People who happened to work with Barbara Bush noted her sincerity, charm, ability to freely communicate with a variety of people. She never clashed with the staff, was invariably polite and correct. Barbara is unanimously considered one of the best first ladies, she was equally popular with ordinary people, members of the government, and representatives of the media.
Last years
After the end of the presidential term, George and Barbara left the White House, settling in Houston, Texas. Here the couple was able to lead a measured lifestyle, write memoirs, and do charity work. Barbara regularly transferred large sums of her personal funds to her funds. Being a hospitable hostess, she often arranged receptions for family and friends, but she did not like publicity too much: television filming, interviews, photo shoots. The ex first lady devoted a lot of time to her children and grandchildren, trying to keep abreast of their lives and provide timely advice.
In 2008, Barbara, always in excellent health, was suddenly admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. Doctors discovered an ulcer, after a course of treatment, the patient was allowed to go home. A year later, she experienced an aortic valve replacement, and another 5 years later, severe pneumonia. The elderly woman's health was undermined, in 2018 she died in her own home in Houston at the age of 92. George W. Bush survived his wife by only 7 months.
