Barbara Bush, former US First Lady, dies at 92

Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States, has died aged 92 on Tuesday.

She was the wife of the 41st President, George H. W. Bush and the mother of the 43rd President, George W. Bush.

Barbara’s health had been failing for some time and it was reported that she had obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. Following a recent series of hospitalisations, a family spokesperson said that “After consulting her family and doctors, Mrs Bush has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care.”

In a statement posted on his presidential centre’s Twitter page, George W. Bush wrote: “My dear mother has passed on at age 92. Laura, Barbara, Jenna, and I are sad, but our souls are settled because we know hers was. Barbara Bush was a fabulous First Lady and a woman unlike any other who brought levity, love, and literacy to millions. To us, she was so much more. Mom kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end. I’m a lucky man that Barbara Bush was my mother. Our family will miss her dearly. And we thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.”

Former US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton also took to Twitter to share their statements on Barbara’s passing.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 73 years, President George H. W. Bush, five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and her brother Scott Pierce.

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