Bush, Barbara

Barbara Pierce Bush was born in New York City, New York, on June 8, 1925, to Pauline Robinson Pierce and Marvin Pierce. Barbara was third of four children—one sister and two brothers. From 1940 until 1943, Barbara attended Ashley Hall, a boarding school in Charleston, South Carolina.

At a 1941 dance, when she was 16 years old, she met George Herbert Walker Bush, her future husband. In 1943, Barbara graduated from Ashley Hall and entered Smith College. At Smith, she made the freshman soccer team and served as captain. She worked during the summers, first at a Lord & Taylor department store, then at a nuts and bolts factory. One and a half years after their [Page 152]meeting, Barbara Pierce and George Bush became engaged, just before he left to serve in the Navy during World War II. When he returned on leave, Barbara dropped out of college and on January 6, 1945, they married.

Nicknamed “The Silver Fox,” Barbara Bush used her wit to trip up critics, particularly those of her husband or children.

After the war, George graduated from Yale University and the couple moved to Texas. Barbara gave birth to six children: George Walker Bush (July 6, 1946), Pauline Robinson “Robin” Bush (December 20, 1949), John Ellis “Jeb” Bush (February 11, 1953), Neil Mallon Bush (January 22, 1955), Marvin Pierce Bush (December 22, 1956), and Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch (August 18, 1959). While Barbara was a stay-at-home mother, George built a business in the oil industry and then turned to politics.

Before becoming the 41st U.S. President, George Bush traveled often for business. This left Barbara with the traditional responsibilities of motherhood and housekeeping, as well as civic activities and volunteering. However, her role as mother would have later public impact. The death of the Bush's daughter, Robin, from leukemia in 1953 led Barbara to support numerous cancer research and treatment programs. In addition, her son Neil's diagnosis as dyslexic began her lifelong interest in reading and literacy issues. In 1998, Barbara's third eldest child, Jeb Bush, was elected governor of Florida. Then, after serving as the Governor of Texas, her eldest son George W. Bush was elected President of the United States in 2000 and 2004. Besides Abigail Adams, Barbara Bush is the only other woman to be both the wife and mother of a U.S. President. Before the election, Barbara actively campaigned for her son, addressing both the 2000 and 2004 Republican National Conventions. She also traveled with the “W Stands for Women” fundraising tour that focused on the women's vote for George W. After his election, Barbara frequently defended her son's record as chief executive.

In interviews, Barbara Bush has attributed her popularity to her matronly figure and white hair, making her appear like “everybody's grandmother.” Today, she continues her service at the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, as Ameri-Cares ambassador-at-large, as a Mayo Clinic Foundation board member, and as a supporter of many organizations that include the Leukemia Society of America and the Boys & Girls Club of America. She has also authored four books. Barbara Bush lives with her husband in Houston, Texas, and at their estate in Kennebunkport, Maine.

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