What was Barbara Bush's Net Worth?
Barbara Bush was an American philanthropist and former First Lady of the United States. At the time of her death in 2018, her net worth was $25 million. Known for being the wife of the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, she left a lasting impact on the nation. Her children include former US President George W. Bush and former Florida governor Jeb Bush. Remarkably, Barbara was one of only two women, the other being Abigail Adams, to be both the wife of one US president and the mother of another.
Early Life and Education
Born Barbara Pierce on June 8, 1925, in New York City, she was raised in the coastal suburb of Rye. Her father, Marvin Pierce, served as president of McCall Corporation, the publisher of McCall's and Redbook magazines. Barbara attended Milton Public School, Rye Country Day School, and later Ashley Hall, a boarding school in Charleston, South Carolina. An avid athlete, she enjoyed tennis, swimming, and cycling. Barbara finally attended Smith College.
Marriage and Children
At 16, Barbara met Phillips Academy student George H. W. Bush in Greenwich, Connecticut. They got engaged a year and a half later before George served in the Navy during WWII. Married in early 1945, they lived in various states, including Maryland and Virginia, before settling in Texas. The couple had six children: George W., Pauline, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy.
Years in Texas
In Texas, George co-founded the Zapata Corporation while Barbara managed their household. George became chairman of the Harris County Republican Party in 1963 and ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 1964. By then, the Bushes were emerging as influential figures on the national political stage.
First Years in Washington
In 1966, George was elected to Congress, representing Texas. Barbara supported him on the campaign trail while engaging in charity work and Republican women's groups. After George was appointed UN ambassador, Barbara formed connections with influential diplomats.
China Years and Depression
The Bushes relocated to China in 1974 when George became head of the US Liaison Office. They explored the country extensively, often cycling through cities and regions. Recalled to the US in 1977, George became the CIA director, a period during which Barbara faced depression, feeling unfulfilled by her life. To tackle this, she started giving speeches about their experiences in China.
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Second Lady of the United States
In 1980, George ran as Ronald Reagan's running mate. When Reagan won, Barbara became the Second Lady from 1981 to 1989. She focused on literacy initiatives, motivated by her son Neil's dyslexia. She published a children's book titled "C. Fred's Story" and engaged in numerous public speaking events.
First Lady of the United States
In 1989, Barbara became the First Lady. She championed family literacy, establishing the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She also supported LGBTQ rights, AIDS awareness, and abortion access, and was active in the White House Historical Association and the White House Preservation Fund, which she renamed the White House Endowment Trust.
Post-FLOTUS
After leaving the White House in 1993, the Bushes returned to Texas. Their son, George W., soon became governor of Texas. Barbara campaigned for his presidential bid in 1999 and reluctantly for Jeb's in 2016.
Illness and Death
Diagnosed with Graves' disease in 1988, Barbara later developed COPD and congestive heart failure. She passed away in 2018 at her home in Houston at the age of 92. Her husband, who also had Graves' disease, died just seven months later.
