Barbara Bush death: Who is Barbara Bush? What did she die of?
BARBARA Bush the former US first lady has died at the age of 92, but who was she married to and what did she die of?
Former first lady Barbara Bush dies aged 92
Barbara Bush was the wife of the 41st president of the US - George H.W. Bush - and mother of the 43rd president - George W Bush.
She died on Tuesday, April 17 and according to some reports, she had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart problems in recent years.
George W. Bush said in a statement: “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.”
It was recently announced Mrs Bush had declined further medical treatment after a series of hospital visits, however the statement did not reveal the nature of her illness.
However she wanted to spend her last days in “comfort care” with her family.
She was dubbed the “The Silver Fox” by her husband and children, as she was known for her snow-white hair and being fiercely protective of her family.
Bush was the fist lady of the US when her husband was in the White House from 1989 to 1993.
Her son, Republican George Walker Bush, won in the US election in 2000 and was president from 2001 to 2009.
As a first lady, Buh promoted literacy and reading but said she was more interested in running a household than helping her husband run the country.
The Bushes celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in January and had six children together. Their daughter, Robin, died of leukaemia in 1953 at the age of 3 and Barbara Bush’s hair began to turn prematurely white after the shock of her daughter’s death.
In addition to George W., their other children are Jeb, who served as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, and sons Neil and and Marvin and daughter Dorothy.
Opinion polls often showed her popularity as first lady exceeding her husband’s as president.
She said: “I don’t threaten anyone. That’s because I’m everyone’s grandma.”
Former presidents have paid tribute to the former first lady, including President Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
President Trump and his wife Melania sad in a statement: “She will be long remembered for her strong devotion to country and family, both of which she served unfailingly well.”
Another former US president, Bill Clinton, said Mrs Bush was “feisty in support of her family and friends, her country and her causes.”
Mrs Bush was one of only two women whose husband and son became US president and the only woman to see her husband and son sworn in as president.
The only other woman to be both wife and mother of US presidents as Abigail Adams, the first lady rom 1797 to 1801.
She was a major influence on husband John Adams, the nation’s second president, but died before son John Quincy Adams was elected president in 1824.
The only other woman to be both wife and mother of U.S. presidents was Abigail Adams, the first lady from 1797 to 1801. She was a major influence on husband John Adams, the nation's second president, but died before son John Quincy Adams was elected president in 1824.