Our hearts go out to the Bush family during this challenging time. On Tuesday, April 17, TMZ reported the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush at the age of 92 due to complications from COPD and congestive heart failure. Just before her passing, her granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager shared an emotional update on Barbara’s condition with the public. “We are incredibly thankful for her. She was the best grandmother anyone could ever ask for — or hope to have,” Jenna expressed warmly to Today co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on Monday, April 16.
Reflecting on her grandmother’s remarkable spirit, Jenna continued, “My sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, and I spoke with her last night. Despite everything, she was in great spirits and, as always, she reminded me not to believe everything you read. She was a fighter, an enforcer, and a source of endless love. We're so grateful for her presence in our lives, for everyone’s prayers and thoughts, and we truly believe the world is a better place because she was in it.”
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When Hoda asked the 36-year-old Jenna how her grandfather, George H.W. Bush, 93, and her parents were coping, Jenna replied with heartfelt words, “She’s with my grandpa, the man she’s loved for over 73 years. They are surrounded by family. But the fact that they’re together through this, and he still says, ‘I love you, Barbie,’ every night, is truly remarkable.” Keep reading for more details on Barbara’s battle with health issues before her passing.
Barbara Bush's Final Days: A Tribute to Her Strength
On Sunday, April 15, the Bush family announced that Barbara had decided to stop seeking additional medical treatment after enduring numerous hospital stays in recent months. She spent her final days at home, surrounded by her loved ones. “Following a series of hospitalizations, and after consulting with her family and doctors, Mrs. Bush, age 92, made the decision not to pursue further medical treatment and instead focus on comfort care,” announced Bush family spokesperson Jim McGrath in a statement on Twitter before her passing.
“Barbara Bush has faced her health challenges with the same resilience that she's shown throughout her life. She's not worried about herself, thanks to her unwavering faith, but rather for those around her. She's surrounded by a family she cherishes deeply and appreciates the countless kind messages and prayers she’s received,” Jim McGrath said at the time.
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For the past year, Barbara battled Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure. She was hospitalized most recently on Friday, March 30, due to shortness of breath, according to CNN. She was on oxygen and receiving care at her Houston home prior to her passing.
Did Smoking Contribute to Barbara Bush's Health Issues?
Given that Barbara suffered from COPD, a group of lung diseases that obstruct airflow and make breathing difficult, many have wondered whether her condition was linked to smoking. While we cannot definitively say that smoking cigarettes directly caused her health issues, Barbara did admit in her 1994 memoir that she began smoking at age 18. However, she quit smoking on New Year’s Day in 1968 and later became a passionate advocate against smoking. “Now that she has given it up, she’s full of warnings about the dangers of smoking,” a 1994 profile on Barbara explained.
After the news of Barbara’s passing, fans poured out their condolences on social media, celebrating her life and legacy. People from all political backgrounds praised her for her dedication to literacy during her time as First Lady from 1989 to 1993. She founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which continues to promote reading skills for both parents and children across the United States. Our thoughts remain with the entire Bush family as they navigate this difficult period.
