Former US President George H.W. Bush Has Sadly Died At Age 94

Former US President George H.W. Bush has sadly passed away at age 94, the Bush family announced in an official statement on the evening of Friday, Nov. 30. “George Herbert Walker Bush, World War II naval aviator, Texas oil pioneer, and 41st President of the United States of America, died on November 30, 2018,” the message began.

“He was 94 and is survived by his five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two siblings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his second child Pauline Robinson ‘Robin’ Bush; and his brothers Prescott and William or ‘Bucky’ Bush. Funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as it is practical,” the statement concluded.

George’s son George W. Bush — who followed in his father’s footsteps and served as the 43rd POTUS — also released a statement through his family spokesperson, Jim McGrath. “Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died,” the 72-year-old’s message began.

“George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41’s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens,” George’s statement continued.

As previously stated, George Sr. lost his beloved wife, Barbara Bush, earlier this year when she passed away at age 92 on April 17. “He, of course, is broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years. He held her hand all day today and was at her side when [she] left this good earth,” George H.W. Bush’s longtime chief-of-staff, Jean Becker, said in a statement. “Obviously, this is a very challenging time. But it will not surprise all of you who know and love him, that he also is being stoic and strong, and is being lifted up by his large and supportive family. He is determined to be there for them as well. He appreciates all the well wishes and support.”

Despite battling ill-health and being hospitalized several times this year, George was able to attend his granddaughter Barbara Pierce Bush’s surprise wedding to Craig Coyne in early October. In an interview shortly after her nuptials, Barbara, 37, said she hoped her grandfather would be able to watch her walk down the aisle. “He’s great — totally with it. He is, of course, 94 years old and misses my grandmother… We just thought, let’s try to do [the wedding] soon — a small wedding with just our family and my grandfather, here,” Barbara told People on Oct. 10.

“We actually would have gotten married the next week if we could have. We just thought, let’s try to do it soon. We knew we wanted to be married — we’d already made that decision — so we didn’t need months of an engagement,” she added. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family as they mourn the loss of George H.W. Bush.