Barbara Bush, who brought together Republicans and Democrats as the beloved wife of President George H.W. Bush, has passed away at the age of 92 — just days after the family announced that she had declined further medical care after a “recent series of hospitalizations.”
Barbra was at her husband’s side throughout his rise through politics, first serving as the wife of Vice-President Bush before running their own winning race to the White House in 1988.
Unlike her predecessor Nancy Reagan, Barbara wasn’t a divisive figure as First Lady. Many political veterans would later credit her popularity for helping George W. Bush’s own presidential campaign, as well as being at her son Jeb’s side as he successfully ran for governor of Florida.
And while Jeb ultimately lost to Donald Trump in the 2016 primaries to run against Hillary Clinton for President, Barbara wasn’t shy about her own dream of seeing a woman in the White House.
While addressing students at Wellesley College in 1991, she said: “Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow my footsteps and preside over the White House as the president’s spouse. I wish him well!”
