It’s a very sad day for the Bush family. Barbara Bush has died at the age of 92, the office of George H.W. Bush announced in a statement.
“A former first lady of the United States of America and relentless proponent of family literacy, Barbara Pierce Bush passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the age of 92,” reads the statement.
“She is survived by her husband of 73 years, President George H.W. Bush; five children and their spouses; 17 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and her brother, Scott Pierce. She was preceded in death by her second child, Pauline Robinson “Robin” Bush, and her siblings Martha Rafferty and James R. Pierce.”
Former President George W. Bush also released a statement on Tuesday. “My dear mother has passed on at age 92. Laura, Barbara, Jenna, and I are sad, but our souls are settled because we know hers was,” he said.
“Barbara Bush was a fabulous First Lady and a woman unlike any other who brought levity, love, and literacy to millions. To us, she was so much more. Mom kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end. I’m a lucky man that Barbara Bush was my mother. Our family will miss her dearly, and we thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.”
On Sunday, the former First Lady announced that she would no longer seek additional medical care to prolong her life. Instead, she and her doctors decided to focus on “comfort care” in her final days.
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After making the announcement, granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager spoke with the Today Show about her grandmother’s decision. “She’s a fighter. She’s an enforcer,” she said, referring to the family’s nickname for the matriarch. “We’re grateful for her, for everybody’s prayers and thoughts, and just know the world is better because she’s in it.”
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“She’s the best grandma anybody could have ever had — or have,” she continued.
The family did not share Bush’s cause of death, but the former First Lady suffered from congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 2017, she was briefly hospitalized for bronchitis as well.
Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family in this difficult time.