After a year-long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, former First Lady Barbara Bush is dead at the age of 92. Bush died on Tuesday evening.
Bush is survived by her husband of 73 years, former President George H.W. Bush, five children including former President George W. Bush; 17 grandchildren’ and seven great grandchildren.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Barbara Bush, beloved former first lady and mother to America’s 43rd president, has died at 92. <a href="https://t.co/Rrd4zGWfiO">https://t.co/Rrd4zGWfiO</a> <a href="https://t.co/EHFYIpXFYR">pic.twitter.com/EHFYIpXFYR</a></p>— CBS News (@CBSNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/986399939042467840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Bush family’s spokesperson, Jim McGarth, said the official funeral schedule will be announced soon and is “as practical.”
The Goldwater also reported two days ago that the former first lady has declined to seek further medical treatment and opted to focus on comfort care, surrounded by her family in their home in Texas.
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Barbara Bush is considered the matriarch in a political family that produced two U.S. Presidents- the 41st U.S. President George H.W. Bush who served from 1989 to 1993, and the 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush who served for two terms in 2000 and 2004; and a Florida governor in son Jeb Bush.
Bush was born in New York and met George H.W. Bush at a school dance as a teenager. The couple chose to raise their family in Texas and emerged as a formidable political family.
The former first lady is also remembered for being a “relentless proponent of family literacy”, a cause that led her to establish the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which seeks to boost reading and writing skills across America. She said in 1990 that literacy would help solve many of the problems that plague our nation and our society.
Tributes have been pouring in across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania released a statement praising Barbara Bush’s efforts to promote literacy and lauding her role as well as “an advocate of the American family.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> Melania and I join the Nation in celebrating the life of Barbara Bush: <a href="https://t.co/4NzyjxqAFM">pic.twitter.com/4NzyjxqAFM</a></p>— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/986395361815166981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on death of Barbara Bush: "She touched the hearts of millions with her warmth, generosity, and keen wit." <a href="https://t.co/gmoZFsVv6A">https://t.co/gmoZFsVv6A</a> <a href="https://t.co/TK45yNRAXS">pic.twitter.com/TK45yNRAXS</a></p>— ABC News (@ABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC/status/986400525359964160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Barbara Bush was a remarkable woman. She had grit & grace, brains & beauty. She was fierce & feisty in support of her family & friends, her country & her causes. She showed us what an honest, vibrant, full life looks like. Hillary and I mourn her passing and bless her memory.</p>— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillClinton/status/986393014443659265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rest In Peace Mrs. Barbara Bush.<br>You were a beautiful light in this world and I am forever thankful for your friendship. <a href="https://t.co/yuZvQ7o8aH">pic.twitter.com/yuZvQ7o8aH</a></p>— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/986393405432455168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Barbara’s son, former President George W. Bush describes himself very lucky to have her as his mother in a tribute statement he just released.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former President George W. Bush:<br><br>"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."<a href="https://t.co/r27wV3f2AT">https://t.co/r27wV3f2AT</a> <a href="https://t.co/4hSZeXn5R4">pic.twitter.com/4hSZeXn5R4</a></p>— NBC News (@NBCNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/986399506626301952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Source: @realDonaldTrump Twitter
@cbsnews, @FoxNews
Twitter: #MAGA #KeepAmericaGreat! #BarbaraBush #BarbaraBushDies #FirstLady #FamilyLiteracyAdvocate
Condolences to the Bush Family on this sad occasion. It isn't the same without this fine Lady.