First Lady: Barbara Pierce Bush
Barbara Pierce was born on June 8, 1925. Her father was the president of the McCall Corporation and she was raised in a wealthy family. Barbara met her future husband when she was a teenager. They became engaged before Bush joined the navy to fight in World War II. While he was serving, Barbara was enrolled at Smith College. However, she dropped out of Smith at the end of 1944 and was married to Bush on January 6, 1945.
Children
The Bushes had six children, but their daughter Robin died at the age of four of leukemia. Their other children are George W. Bush, forty-third president of the United States; John F. “Jeb” Bush, governor of Florida; Neil M. Bush; Marvin P. Bush, venture capitalist; and Dorothy W. “Doro” Bush.
Life as First Lady
Barbara Bush was a well-loved and respected first lady. While she was the first lady, she tried to avoid controversy. She worked hard on many causes including AIDS and homelessness, but her true passion was promoting literacy.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS…
Barbara Bush on learning disabilities: “George Bush and I know the frustration of living with an undiagnosed or untreated learning problem, and we know the great joy and relief that comes when help is finally found. I foresee the day when no American — neither child nor adult — will ever need to be limited in learning.”
She established the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989 and currently serves as its honorary chairman.
