Misplaced Pages

Barbara Bush: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 01:22, 3 December 2006 editGlen (talk | contribs)Administrators27,228 editsm Revert to revision 91696134 by Kransky.← Previous edit Revision as of 22:49, 3 December 2006 edit undo24.163.120.175 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit →
Line 4: Line 4:
| imagesize = 225px | imagesize = 225px
| caption = White House Portrait | caption = White House Portrait
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1925|6|8}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1905|6|8}}
| birth_place = ], ], ] | birth_place = ], ], ]
| death_date = | death_date =
Line 18: Line 18:
''For the daughter of President ], see ].'' ''For the daughter of President ], see ].''


'''Barbara Pierce Bush''' (born ], ]) is the wife of the 41st ], ], and was ] of the ] from ] to ]. She is the mother of current U.S. President ] and ] Governor ]. '''Barbara Pierce Bush''' (born ], ]) is the wife of the 41st ], ], and was ] of the ] from ] to ]. He is the mother of current U.S. President ] and ] Governor ].


==Early life== ==Early life==


'''Barbara Pierce''' was the third child of the former ] (]-]) and her husband, ] (]-]), who later became president of McCall Corporation, the publisher of the popular women's magazines '']'' and '']''. She was born at Booth Memorial Hospital in ], and raised in the ]an town of ], ], and went to ], followed by boarding school at ] in ], ]. '''Barbara Pierce''' was the third child of the former ] (]-]) and her husband, ] (]-]), who later became president of McCall Corporation, the publisher of the popular women's magazines '']'' and '']''. He was born at Booth Memorial Hospital in ], and raised in the ]an town of ], ], and went to ], followed by boarding school at ] in ], ].


Her ancestor ], an early ] colonist, was also an ancestor of ], the 14th ]. Her ancestor ], an early ] colonist, was also an ancestor of ], the 14th ].
Line 32: Line 32:
] ]


It was at a dance during ] vacation when she was 16 that she met George H. W. Bush, a student at ] in ]. One and a half years later, the two engaged, just before he went off to ] as a ] torpedo bomber pilot. He named three of his planes after her: ''Barbara,'' ''Barbara II'', and ''Barbara III''. When he returned on leave, she had dropped out of ] in ], ]. Two weeks later, on ], ], they married. After the war, he graduated from ], and they moved to ], ]. She gave birth to six children: It was at a dance during ] vacation when he was 16 that he met George H. W. Bush, a student at ] in ]. One and a half years later, the two engaged, just before he went off to ] as a ] torpedo bomber pilot. He named three of his planes after her: ''Barbara,'' ''Barbara II'', and ''Barbara III''. When he returned on leave, he had dropped out of ] in ], ]. Two weeks later, on ], ], they married. After the war, he graduated from ], and they moved to ], ]. he gave birth to six children:
# ] (] ]- ) 43rd ] and 46th ] # ] (] ]- ) 43rd ] and 46th ]
Line 41: Line 41:
# ] (], ] - ). # ] (], ] - ).


Meanwhile, George H. W. Bush built a business in the oil industry, where he founded ]. One of the boats used in the ] was named the ''Barbara J.'' The Bush family moved 29 times over the years. She raised her children while her husband, who served in a variety of government jobs, was away. Meanwhile, George H. W. Bush built a business in the oil industry, where he founded ]. One of the boats used in the ] was named the ''Barbara J.'' The Bush family moved 29 times over the years. He raised her children while her husband, who served in a variety of government jobs, was away.


==First Lady of the United States== ==First Lady of the United States==
Line 49: Line 49:


==Later life== ==Later life==
Today, she lives with her husband in ], and at their sprawling estate, the ] in ]. Today, he lives with her husband in ], and at their sprawling estate, the ] in ].


Three ]s in ] are named after her. One is a ] ] in ]. One ] school in the ] in ] is named after her. A ] school in the ] ] of ] is also named after her. An elementary school in ]'s ] is also named after her. Three ]s in ] are named after her. One is a ] ] in ]. One ] school in the ] in ] is named after her. A ] school in the ] ] of ] is also named after her. An elementary school in ]'s ] is also named after her.
Line 57: Line 57:
A ] branch in ] called the Barbara Bush Library @ Cypress Creek is named after her. A ] branch in ] called the Barbara Bush Library @ Cypress Creek is named after her.


The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at ] in ] is named after Bush. Also named for her is ]. They are frequent honored guests at the ]. She serves on the Boards of AmeriCares and the ], and heads the Barbara Bush Foundation. The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at ] in ] is named after Bush. Also named for her is ]. They are frequent honored guests at the ]. He serves on the Boards of AmeriCares and the ], and heads the Barbara Bush Foundation.


==Controversies== ==Controversies==
Line 63: Line 63:
Barbara Bush is well-known for delivering tart comments and sometimes controversial opinions: Barbara Bush is well-known for delivering tart comments and sometimes controversial opinions:


*In 1984, Mrs. Bush told the press that she could not say on television what she thought of then Vice-Presidential candidate ], but "it rhymes with witch." *In 1984, Mrs. Bush told the press that he could not say on television what he thought of then Vice-Presidential candidate ], but "it rhymes with witch."


*In September 1990, Mrs. Bush said in an interview for ] that the then-brand new ] '']'' was the dumbest thing she had ever seen. Six years later, she and her husband were parodied heavily in an episode of the show, titled "]" in which they were satirized in a ] style context. *In September 1990, Mrs. Bush said in an interview for ] that the then-brand new ] '']'' was the dumbest thing he had ever seen. Six years later, he and his husband were parodied heavily in an episode of the show, titled "]" in which they were satirized in a ] style context.


*Speaking about the then-tentative ], on ], ] she told ]'s ] , : *Speaking about the then-tentative ], on ], ] he told ]'s ] , :


::''"Why should we hear about ]s and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful ] on something like that?"'' ::''"Why should we hear about ]s and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful ] on something like that?"''


:Critics said that this statement showed how callous and cold she is, while supporters countered that she was merely dismissing speculation of deaths before the ] began. :Critics said that this statement showed how callous and cold he is, while supporters countered that he was merely dismissing speculation of deaths before the ] began.


*On ], ], while visiting ] relief centers in ], she stated on the ] radio program "] : *On ], ], while visiting ] relief centers in ], he stated on the ] radio program "] :


::''"Almost everyone I've talked to says, 'We're gonna move to Houston.' What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas... Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality, and so many of the people in the arenas here, you know, were underprivileged anyway. This is working very well for them."'' ::''"Almost everyone I've talked to says, 'We're gonna move to Houston.' What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas... Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality, and so many of the people in the arenas here, you know, were underprivileged anyway. This is working very well for them."''


:Critics have called these comments ], ] and even ] (the 15,000 evacuees in the ] were mostly poor and black) . Supporters countered that she was expressing the gratitude she had heard from the evacuees for the help and welcome they had received in Houston. :Critics have called these comments ], ] and even ] (the 15,000 evacuees in the ] were mostly poor and black) . Supporters countered that he was expressing the gratitude he had heard from the evacuees for the help and welcome they had received in Houston.


*In 2006 it was revealed that Barbara Bush donated an undisclosed amount of money to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund with specific instructions that the money be spent with an educational software company owned by her son ]. *In 2006 it was revealed that Barbara Bush donated an undisclosed amount of money to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund with specific instructions that the money be spent with an educational software company owned by her son ].

Revision as of 22:49, 3 December 2006

Barbara Pierce Bush
White House Portrait
Born (1905-06-08) June 8, 1905 (age 119)
New York City, New York, US
OccupationFirst Lady of the United States
PredecessorNancy Reagan
SuccessorHillary Rodham Clinton
SpouseGeorge H. W. Bush
ChildrenGeorge, Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Dorothy
RelativesMarvin Pierce and Pauline Robinson

For the daughter of President George W. Bush, see Barbara Pierce Bush.

Barbara Pierce Bush (born June 8, 1925) is the wife of the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, and was First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993. He is the mother of current U.S. President George W. Bush and Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

Early life

Barbara Pierce was the third child of the former Pauline Robinson (1896-1949) and her husband, Marvin Pierce (1893-1969), who later became president of McCall Corporation, the publisher of the popular women's magazines Redbook and McCall's. He was born at Booth Memorial Hospital in New York City, and raised in the suburban town of Rye, New York, and went to Rye Country Day School, followed by boarding school at Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina.

Her ancestor Thomas Pierce, an early New England colonist, was also an ancestor of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States.

Her mother — whom W magazine once described as "beautiful, fabulous, critical, and meddling" and "a former beauty from Ohio with extravagant tastes" — was killed in a car accident. The accident was caused when her husband, who was driving, lost control when he reached over to stop a cup of hot coffee from sliding across the seat onto his wife. The car crashed into a stone wall, killing her instantly.

Marriage and family

Barbara Bush, center, surrounded by her family, early 1960s.

It was at a dance during Christmas vacation when he was 16 that he met George H. W. Bush, a student at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. One and a half years later, the two engaged, just before he went off to World War II as a Navy torpedo bomber pilot. He named three of his planes after her: Barbara, Barbara II, and Barbara III. When he returned on leave, he had dropped out of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Two weeks later, on January 6, 1945, they married. After the war, he graduated from Yale University, and they moved to Midland, Texas. he gave birth to six children:

  1. George W. Bush (6 July 1946- ) 43rd President of the United States and 46th Governor of Texas
  2. Pauline Robinson "Robin" Bush (20 December 1949 - October 11, 1953, died of leukemia);
  3. John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (11 February 1953- ); 43rd Governor of Florida
  4. Neil Mallon Bush (22 January 1955- );
  5. Marvin Pierce Bush (22 October, 1956- )
  6. Dorothy Bush Koch (August 18, 1959 - ).

Meanwhile, George H. W. Bush built a business in the oil industry, where he founded Zapata Corporation. One of the boats used in the Bay of Pigs invasion was named the Barbara J. The Bush family moved 29 times over the years. He raised her children while her husband, who served in a variety of government jobs, was away.

First Lady of the United States

File:Barbara bush interview.jpg
Barbara Bush is interviewed by Paula Zahn in 1992.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it.

Later life

Today, he lives with her husband in Houston, Texas, and at their sprawling estate, the Bush Compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Three primary schools in Texas are named after her. One is a Houston ISD school in Houston. One Conroe ISD school in the The Woodlands in Montgomery County is named after her. A Grand Prairie ISD school in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie is also named after her. An elementary school in Mesa, Arizona's Mesa Public Schools is also named after her.

Two middle schools are named after her. One is in San Antonio in the North East ISD. One is in Irving in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.

A Harris County Public Library branch in Harris County, Texas called the Barbara Bush Library @ Cypress Creek is named after her.

The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine is named after Bush. Also named for her is one of George W. Bush's twin daughters. They are frequent honored guests at the White House. He serves on the Boards of AmeriCares and the Mayo Clinic, and heads the Barbara Bush Foundation.

Controversies

File:George and barbara bush (simpsons).jpg
George and Barbara Bush as portrayed on The Simpsons

Barbara Bush is well-known for delivering tart comments and sometimes controversial opinions:

  • In 1984, Mrs. Bush told the press that he could not say on television what he thought of then Vice-Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, but "it rhymes with witch."
"Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"
Critics said that this statement showed how callous and cold he is, while supporters countered that he was merely dismissing speculation of deaths before the Iraq War began.
"Almost everyone I've talked to says, 'We're gonna move to Houston.' What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas... Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality, and so many of the people in the arenas here, you know, were underprivileged anyway. This is working very well for them."
Critics have called these comments elitist, aristocratic and even racist (the 15,000 evacuees in the Astrodome were mostly poor and black) . Supporters countered that he was expressing the gratitude he had heard from the evacuees for the help and welcome they had received in Houston.
  • In 2006 it was revealed that Barbara Bush donated an undisclosed amount of money to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund with specific instructions that the money be spent with an educational software company owned by her son Neil Bush.

Succession of the First Ladies of the United States

Preceded byJoan Mondale Second Lady of the United States
1981-1989 		Succeeded byMarilyn Quayle
Preceded byNancy Reagan First Lady of the United States
1989-1993 		Succeeded byHillary Clinton
First ladies of the United States

External links

Categories: