What is Laura Bush's Net Worth?
Laura Bush is an American public figure with a net worth of $40 million. She served as First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009 during her husband, George W. Bush's presidency. Laura is also a memoirist, author, and librarian.
Early Life and Marriage
Born Laura Lane Welch on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, she is the only child of Harold and Jenna Welch, of English, French, and Swiss descent. Her father was a builder and real estate developer, while her mother worked as a bookkeeper. Laura attended James Bowie Elementary School and Robert E. Lee High School. During her teens, she was involved in a tragic car accident that resulted in the death of her close friend Michael Douglas, which profoundly affected her.
Laura earned a bachelor's degree in education from Southern Methodist University and later a Master of Science in Library Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. She worked as a school teacher and librarian in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. In 1977, she met George W. Bush, and they married in November of the same year.
Political Life
Laura joined George W. Bush's congressional campaign in 1978. After an initial loss, she continued to be involved in political activities as George Sr. ascended to the presidency in 1981. When George W. Bush became Governor of Texas in 1995, Laura became First Lady of Texas and focused on education, literacy, and health causes. As First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009, her primary focus remained on education, launching initiatives such as the National Book Festival.
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Personal Life and Causes
After their marriage, the Bushes struggled with conceiving for three years before Laura gave birth to fraternal twins, Barbara and Jenna, on November 25, 1981. The family often gathers at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine, and they also have a ranch in Texas.
Throughout her public life, Laura has championed causes including education (launching the National Book Festival and the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries), women's health (supporting breast cancer and heart disease initiatives), and women's rights (publishing "We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope").
Her advocacy efforts have garnered numerous accolades, such as recognition from the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, honors from the American Library Association, and an honorary Doctor of Letters from Wayland Baptist University. Laura and George W. Bush received the National Constitution Center Liberty Medal for their work with military veterans, and in 2021, Laura received the Concordia Leadership Award.
