Former US first lady Barbara Bush has died aged 92, CNN reported on Wednesday. Mrs Bush was a matriarch of Bush clan, she was the wife of President George HW Bush and the mother of George W Bush.
Barbara Bush spent her last days being cared for at her home in Houston, Texas. According to a statement issued by her family, on Sunday, her health was failing as she would seek no further medical treatment for congestive heart failure.
Mrs Bush was very popular in the United States, one of the most popular first ladies who preside at the White House. Her plain-spoken manner and utter lack of pretence made her more popular at times than her husband, President George HW Bush.
Only the second woman ever to see both her husband and son sworn in as US president, the Bush family revealed she passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a long illness. Bush had been taken to hospital along with her husband in 2017. She also was diagnosed with Graves disease, a thyroid disorder, while serving as the first lady.
A family spokesman, Jim McGrath, said in a 15 April statement:
“Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs Bush has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care.”
Both sons of Barbara, Jeb and George, paid a tribute to his late mother. Jeb wrote:
“I’m exceptionally privileged to be the son of George Bush and the exceptionally gracious, gregarious, fun, funny, loving, tough, smart, graceful woman who was the force of nature known as Barbara Bush.”
Barbara Bush was the woman behind two Presidents of the United States, her wisdom and sharp mind were her signatures. This remarkable woman was fierce and feisty in support of her family and friends, her country and her causes.
As first lady from 1989 to 1993, Bush was an advocate for literacy and started the Barbara Bush Foundation to promote this goal.
