Former President George H.W.Bush (left), former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush, former President George W. Bush and his First Lady Laura in Washington DC. (Source: AFP/VNA)
Her death was announced by Jim McGrath, spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush.
“A former First Lady of the United States of America and relentless proponent of family literacy, Barbara Pierce Bush passed away Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 at the age of 92,” read a statement issued by the Office of George H. W. Bush.
“She 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. She was preceded in death by her second child, Pauline Robinson ‘Robin’ Bush, and her siblings Martha Rafferty and James R. Pierce.”
Mrs. Bush, who was the first lady from 1989 to 1993, is known as the person who helped propel her husband and their son to the presidency, and became by virtue of her wit, self-deprecation and work on literacy, one of the most popular first ladies in US history.
In the White House, she founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
Former First Lady Barbara Bush promoted AIDS awareness and dissented some of her husband’s stances on issues like abortion openly.
While serving as First Lady, she was consistently ranked one of that nation’s most admired women.
Mrs. Barbara Bush suffered from heart and respiratory problems./.