Remembering First Lady Barbara Bush

Gallery

1 of 10

First Lady Barbara Bush looks at photographs on the table behind President George H. W. Bush, who works at his desk in the Oval Office in January 1989. Their dog, Millie, joins them.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
2 of 10

President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush hosting a screening in the White House movie theater in 1989. Mrs. Bush is sharing a seat with her grandson Jebbie Bush.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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First Lady Barbara Bush proudly shows the puppies of Millie, an English springer spaniel, to King Hussein of Jordan, 1989.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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First Lady Barbara Bush holds her grandchild Marshall, who is dressed like a turtle, and hands out treats to a young guest during the Halloween festivities on the South Lawn of the White House on October 31, 1989.
George H. W. Bush Presidential Library/NARA
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First Lady Barbara Bush escorts First Lady Kim Ok-suk, wife of the South Korean president, to the Green Room following the State Arrival ceremony and receiving line on July 2, 1991. They are accompanied by Social Secretary Laurie Firestone.
George Bush Presidential Library
6 of 10

This photograph shows President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush dancing in the Grand Foyer to music played by the U.S. Marine Band after the State Dinner hosted in honor of President Abdou Diouf of Senegal on September 10, 1991.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
7 of 10

First Lady Barbara Bush and dog Ranger looking out the door of the Diplomatic Reception Room towards the South Lawn and a helicopter, likely Marine One, in 1991. Millie sits to the left.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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This photograph is of President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush enjoying the cherry blossoms planted along the Tidal Basin on April 8, 1992. Since 1912, the blooming cherry blossoms have signaled the arrival of springtime in Washington D.C.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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First Lady Barbara Bush with White House chefs at Christmas, 1992. White House pastry chefs Franette McCulloch (left) and Roland Mesnier pose with First Lady Barbara Bush in front of the elaborate gingerbread house they made for the holiday season.
George Bush Presidential Library
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This portrait of First Lady Barbara Bush was done by Charles Fagan. As First Lady, Mrs. Bush's chief initiative was universal literacy and went on to found the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She also wrote a children's book about her pet, Millie, an English Springer Spaniel.
White House Collection/White House Historical Association

About this Gallery

The White House Historical Association joins the nation in its remembrance of First Lady Barbara Bush and the warmth, care for others, love of country, and humor she brought to her roles as Second and First Lady of the United States. Mrs. Bush is remembered for her friendly and forthright manner while helping her husband George H.W. Bush campaign for office, once saying that people liked her because they know "I'm fair and I like children and I adore my husband." As wife of the vice president, she selected the promotion of literacy as her special cause. As first lady, she worked for a more literate America, calling it the "most important issue we have." She supported many different causes and people including the homeless, the elderly, HIV/AIDS patients, military families and school volunteers.