Death of Barbara Bush

Former First Lady, Barbara Bush passed away on Tuesday, Apr. 17 surrounded by family in Houston, TX.

Bush was from New York and met her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, there when she was 16. The two were happily married for 73 years and had six children together, including former President, George W. Bush.

She was seen by her family as the “enforcer” and glue that held the family together. She also started her own literacy organization, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy which taught reading to both children and adults.

Other than her accomplishments as the first lady, Bush was diagnosed with Graves Disease after her husband was elected president. It was not until 2009 that her health began to decline, after she had heart surgery. In the following years after her surgery, Bush battled many different illnesses relating to her heart and respiratory system, some being obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure. It was the combination of these illnesses that ultimately led to her death.

Numerous celebrities and ex-presidents have offered their support to the Bush family during this time. Barack and Michelle Obama attended the funeral along with Bill and Hillary Clinton. President Trump did not attend the services, however Melania Trump was present at the funeral which was held at a church that Bush and her husband attended in Houston, TX. A private burial was held at the George H.W Bush library.