George H.W. Bush.

George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker Bush

George H.W. Bush — Athlete

Born 12 Jun 1924 Milton, United States

Died 30 Nov 2018 Houston, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 102 yr If Living

18 min read

Reading time

3,574

Words

Feb 25, 2026

Published

140

Film credits

10

Books

45

Awards

TL;DR

George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, served from 1989 to 1993. A decorated Navy pilot in World War II, he later became CIA director and Vice President under Ronald Reagan. His presidency saw the collapse of the Soviet Union and the successful Gulf War. He lost reelection to Bill Clinton in 1992 but later forged a close friendship with his former rival. Bush died at 94 in 2018, at the time the longest-living U.S. president.

Identity & family.

KIN · 12

Names, aliases, and relatives of George H.W. Bush — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name George Herbert Walker Bush

Native Name George H. W. Bush

Nicknames The Résumé Candidate, Poppy, The Wimp, Senior, Hefe, Little Pops, Have Half, Sheepskin, Skin

Aliases George Bush Sr., G.H.W. Bush, George Bush, Pres. George H.W. Bush, President George H.W. Bush, President George W. Bush, President George Bush, President Bush, George Bush Padre

PARENTS: Dorothy Walker Bush Prescott Bush
SPOUSES: Barbara Bush
CHILDREN: George W. Bush Jeb Bush Neil Bush Marvin P. Bush Dorothy Bush Koch Robin Bush
SIBLINGS: Nancy Walker Bush Jonathan Bush William H. T. Bush

At a glance.

STATS

George H.W. Bush by the numbers — life, work, and family.

94 Years lived

140 Film credits

10 Books

45 Awards

1 Marriage

6 Children

Who was George H.W. Bush?

BIOGRAPHY

George H.W. Bush — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts to Dorothy Walker Bush and Prescott Bush. His father was a successful investment banker and later a U.S. Senator from Connecticut. The family moved to Greenwich, Connecticut when he was young. Bush attended the exclusive Greenwich Country Day School and then Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he captained the baseball and soccer teams. On his 18th birthday, June 12, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to become an aviator. He became the youngest naval aviator at the time after completing training.

After the war, he married Barbara Pierce on January 6, 1945, and they moved to New Haven so he could attend Yale University. At Yale, he captained the baseball team that played in the first College World Series in 1947. He graduated with a degree in economics and was tapped for the Skull and Bones secret society, following his father’s footsteps.

Career

After graduating from Yale in 1949, Bush ventured into the oil business in Texas, founding Zapata Oil. He won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966, serving two terms before unsuccessfully running for the Senate in 1970. President Richard Nixon appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in 1971. He later served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee during the Watergate scandal. Under President Gerald Ford, he was the first American envoy to the People’s Republic of China and then Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1976 to 1977.

Bush ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1980 but lost to Ronald Reagan, who chose him as his running mate. As Vice President from 1981 to 1989, Bush was a loyal deputy. In 1988, he won the presidency, defeating Democrat Michael Dukakis with 426 electoral votes. His presidency saw the peaceful end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In August 1990, after Iraq invaded Kuwait, Bush built an international coalition that expelled Iraqi forces in Operation Desert Storm in early 1991. Despite high approval ratings, he lost the 1992 election to Bill Clinton amid a recession.

Personal life

George H.W. Bush married Barbara Pierce on January 6, 1945, and they had six children: George W., Pauline Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. Their daughter Robin died of leukemia at age 3 in 1953. The Bushes were married for 73 years until Barbara’s death in April 2018. George died seven months later on November 30, 2018. He enjoyed a close relationship with his son George W. Bush, who became the 43rd president. In his later years, Bush formed an unlikely friendship with former rival Bill Clinton, working together on disaster relief efforts for the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

Legacy

George H.W. Bush’s legacy includes his leadership during the end of the Cold War and the successful Gulf War. He is remembered for his foreign policy achievements and his call for a new world order. In 2009, the U.S. Navy commissioned the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. At the time of his death, he was the longest-living U.S. president, surpassing Gerald Ford. His son, George W. Bush, followed him into the presidency, making them the second father-son pair after John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Bush’s commitment to public service and his post-presidency partnership with Bill Clinton exemplified a statesmanlike demeanor.

Filmography.

FILMS · 140

Browse the complete filmography of George H.W. Bush — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Saturday Night Live

1975
TV

Late Show with David Letterman

1993
TV

Little House on the Prairie

1974
TV

Frontline

1983
TV

The Dick Cavett Show

1968
TV

Panorama

1953
TV

Basketball: a Love Story

2018
Movie

Bowling for Columbine

2002
TV

Explained

2018
TV

Mentiras Verdaderas

2011
Movie

The One

2001
TV

America's Game: the Super Bowl Champions

2006
TV

History 101

2020
TV

Fox News Sunday

1996

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 45

Every award, honor, and recognition received by George H.W. Bush — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Distinguished Flying Cross
honorary citizen of Berlin
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Eric M. Warburg Award
Order of the White Lion
Air Medal
Philadelphia Liberty Medal
Freedom Award
Robert Schuman Medal
Profile in Courage Award
Ronald Reagan Freedom Award
Jubilee Medal 60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Doublespeak Award
Theodore Roosevelt Award
World Golf Hall of Fame
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Ellis Island Medal of Honor
honorary doctor of the Bar-Ilan University
honorary doctor of the Ohio State University
honorary citizen of Kraków
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Honorary doctor at the Nanjing University
honorary doctor of Harvard University
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
Point Alpha Prize
honorary doctor of the Hofstra University
Osgar
Franz Josef Strauss Award
honorary doctor of the University of Miami
honorary citizen of Gdańsk
Order pro Merito Melitensi
Order of the Bath
Order of the British Empire
Hungarian Order of Merit
Dostyk Order of grade I
Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud
Čestná medaile T. G. Masaryka
Presidential Unit Citation
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 10

George H.W. Bush's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

A World Transformed

by George Bush
Amazon

Bushisms

by George Bush
Amazon

Heartbeat

by George Bush
Amazon

Speaking of Freedom

by George Bush
Amazon

All the Best, George Bush

by George Bush
Amazon

Man of Integrity

by George Bush
Amazon

The China Diary of George H. W. Bush

by George Bush

Could not load more books.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 8

A wall of memorable lines from George H.W. Bush — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Read My Lips: NO NEW TAXES!
Americans Should Be More Like the Waltons and Less Like the Simpsons
You Die, I Fly! Making Reference to His Frequent Attendance of Funerals for Foreign Dignitaries While Serving as Vice President of the United States.
Even Though I’m a Tranquil Guy Now at This Stage of My Life, I Have Nothing but Contempt and Anger for Those Who Betray the Trust by Exposing the Name of Our Sources. They Are, in My View, the Most Insidious of Traitors.
When You Change Horses in Midstream, Doesn’t It Make Sense to Switch to One Going the Other Way?
If You Do Something, You Want to Do It Well.
I Do Not Like Broccoli. and I Haven’t Liked It Since I Was a Little Kid and My Mother Made Me Eat It. and I’m President of the United States and I’m Not Going to Eat Any More Broccoli.
We Are Going to Keep on Trying to Strengthen the American Family, to Make American Families a Lot More Like the Waltons and a Lot Less Like the Simpsons.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about George H.W. Bush — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from January 30, 1976 to January 20, 1977.
His children are George W. Bush born July 6, 1946, Pauline Robinson Robin Bush December 20, 1949 – October 11, 1953, Jeb Bush born February 11, 1953, Neil Bush born January 22, 1955, Marvin Bush born October 22, 1956, and Doro Bush born August 18, 1959.
Daughter Pauline Robinson Bush died of leukemia in 1953.
He was a fourth cousin seven times removed of Benedict Arnold.
He was a seventh cousin three times removed of President Theodore Roosevelt.
He was a ninth cousin twice removed of Marilyn Monroe.
As of 2015, George and Barbara Bush are the longest-married First Couple of the United States, celebrating their 70th anniversary on January 6, 2015. As of November 25, 2017, Bush became the longest-living US President at 93 years 166 days, surpassing Gerald Ford.
His son George W. Bush was elected President in 2000.
Born at 11:30 AM EDT.
Forty-first president of the United States, serving from January 20, 1989 to January 20, 1993.
His wife Barbara Bush suffered from Graves’ disease.
Son George W. Bush became the 43rd President-elect on December 13, 2000, 36 days after Election Day, following legal battles over Florida. He is the second U.S. president’s son to be elected, after John Quincy Adams.
Served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot during World War II and engaged in numerous combat missions.
He was a seventh cousin four times removed of President Abraham Lincoln.
He was an eighth cousin once removed of Winston Churchill.
He named his oil company Zapata Oil after the Marlon Brando film Viva Zapata! 1952.
He was the first sitting Vice President to be elected President since Martin van Buren in 1836.
Graduated from Yale University in 1948 with a B.A. in economics.
U.S. Congressional representative from Texas from January 3, 1967 to January 3, 1971; did not seek reelection in 1970.
Vice President of the United States from January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989 under President Ronald Reagan.
Member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society at Yale.
Portrayed by Dana Carvey on Saturday Night Live; he invited Carvey and his wife to visit the White House.
When his son George W. Bush became President, he became known as George H. W. Bush.
He was a tenth cousin once removed of Vice President Dan Quayle.
He was an eleventh cousin once removed of President Gerald Ford.
Son of former U.S. Senator Prescott Bush, father of President George W. Bush and Florida governor Jeb Bush.
Publicly stated he was a civilian businessman until elected to the House in 1966, but declassified memos show he worked for the CIA in 1963 and corresponded with J. Edgar Hoover about the Kennedy assassination.
The makers of The Simpsons responded to his comments by animating the family watching his comments and having Bart say ‘Hey, we’re just like the Waltons, we’re praying for an end to the Depression too’.
Of the five U.S. presidents from 1977 to 2009, he was the only one who had not served as a state governor.
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from March 1, 1971 to January 18, 1973, appointed by Richard Nixon.
Had his look-alike puppet in the French show Les Guignols de l’info.
The golfing trophy known as the Walker Cup is named after his grandfather, George Herbert Walker, president of the US Golf Association in 1920.
Had both a son and grandson partially named after him: his oldest son George W. Bush and his grandson George Prescott Bush.
Like his wife, he had a building in Houston renamed in his honor: Houston Intercontinental Airport was renamed Bush Intercontinental Airport in 1997.
In the 1988 presidential election, Bush won 48,886,597 popular votes 53.4% against Michael Dukakis, carrying 40 states and 426 electoral votes.
Captain of the Yale baseball team that played in the first College World Series in 1947, losing to the University of California.
His father Prescott Bush was a Senator from Connecticut from November 4, 1952 to January 2, 1963.
While at Yale, he met and was photographed with Babe Ruth. A baseball card from that period became valuable in 1991.
On December 26, 2006, after Gerald Ford’s death, Bush became the oldest living current/former president at 82, five months older than Jimmy Carter.
Had his left hip replaced in December 2000.
Underwent surgery for skin cancer in August 2002.
In 2004, he was paid between $125,000 and $150,000 per speech for a series of speeches in China.
Played by James Cromwell in the film W. 2008.
In January 2009, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS George H.W. Bush, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, in Norfolk, Virginia.
Grandfather of Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, and Lauren Bush Lauren.
Uncle of Billy Bush.
To date 2010, the only U.S. President to have worked for the Central Intelligence Agency Director CIA 1976-1977.
Grew up with Jane Morgan in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Longtime friend of Jerry Weintraub.
Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 46

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about George H.W. Bush.

When was George H.W. Bush born?

George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts. He was the second of five children of Prescott and Dorothy Bush.
Where was George H.W. Bush born?

He was born in Milton, Massachusetts, a suburb south of Boston. His family lived there until moving to Greenwich, Connecticut in 1925.
When did George H.W. Bush die?

He died on November 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas at the age of 94. His death came just seven months after his wife Barbara passed away.
How old was George H.W. Bush when he died?

He was 94 years old at the time of his death. He surpassed Gerald Ford as the longest-living U.S. president in November 2017.
Where did George H.W. Bush die?

He died in Houston, Texas. He had been living there after leaving the White House in 1993.
How did George H.W. Bush die?

His cause of death was undisclosed, but he had been in declining health. He died peacefully in Houston on November 30, 2018.
What was George H.W. Bush's birth name?

His full birth name was George Herbert Walker Bush. He was named after his maternal grandfather, George Herbert Walker.
What nationality was George H.W. Bush?

He was a United States citizen. He served his country as a Navy pilot, congressman, diplomat, CIA director, vice president, and president.
What language did George H.W. Bush speak?

His native language was English. He also studied some Latin at Phillips Academy.
Who were George H.W. Bush's parents?

His parents were Dorothy Walker Bush and Prescott Bush. Prescott was a successful investment banker and later a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.
Who was George H.W. Bush married to?

He was married to Barbara Pierce Bush. They were married for 73 years, from January 6, 1945 until her death on April 17, 2018.
Did George H.W. Bush have children?

Yes, he had six children: George W. Bush, Pauline Robinson Robin Bush, Jeb Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, and Dorothy Bush Koch. Robin died of leukemia at age three.
Did George H.W. Bush have any siblings?

Yes, he had three siblings: Nancy Walker Bush, Jonathan Bush, and William H. T. Bush. Jonathan Bush was a noted financier.
Where did George H.W. Bush go to school?

He attended Greenwich Country Day School, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and Yale University. He also briefly attended Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School and Davenport College at Yale.
What awards did George H.W. Bush win?

He received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Medal of Freedom, World Golf Hall of Fame induction, and many honorary doctorates. He also received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
How many awards did George H.W. Bush win?

He received over 40 major awards and honors, including military decorations, state orders, and honorary degrees. Notable among them are the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
What is George H.W. Bush best known for?

He is best known as the 41st President of the United States who led the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and oversaw the end of the Cold War. He also served as Vice President under Ronald Reagan and as Director of the CIA.
How tall was George H.W. Bush?

He was 6 feet 3 inches tall 1.89 m. His height made him one of the taller U.S. presidents.
What were George H.W. Bush's nicknames?

He had several nicknames, including Poppy from his maternal grandfather, The Résumé Candidate for his extensive experience, and The Wimp by critics. Others include Senior, Hefe, Little Pops, Have Half, Sheepskin, and Skin.
What aliases did George H.W. Bush use?

He was often called George Bush Sr. or G.H.W. Bush to distinguish him from his son. Other aliases include President George H.W. Bush and George Bush Padre.
When did George H.W. Bush marry Barbara?

He married Barbara Pierce on January 6, 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. They had a long and devoted marriage.
Who were George H.W. Bush's relatives?

His relatives include his son George W. Bush 43rd president, his son Jeb Bush former Florida governor, and his grandchildren Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, and Lauren Bush Lauren. He was also uncle to Billy Bush and cousin to others.
What did George H.W. Bush do before becoming president?

He had a diverse career: Navy pilot in WWII, oil businessman in Texas, two-term U.S. Congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, RNC Chairman, envoy to China, Director of the CIA, and Vice President under Ronald Reagan.
What was the Gulf War and how did Bush lead it?

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. President Bush built an international coalition that launched Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, successfully expelling Iraqi forces. The war ended with minimal U.S. casualties and boosted Bush’s approval ratings.
How did George H.W. Bush contribute to the end of the Cold War?

As president, Bush managed the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall. He advocated for a new world order and maintained strong relations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Did George H.W. Bush serve in the military?

Yes, he served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot during World War II. He flew combat missions in the Pacific and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
What was George H.W. Bush's role in the CIA?

He served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1976 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford. He is the only U.S. president to have held that position.
How was George H.W. Bush related to other presidents?

He was the father of President George W. Bush and the son of Senator Prescott Bush. He was also distantly related to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, as well as to Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe.
What was George H.W. Bush's post-presidency life like?

After leaving office, he remained active in public life, speaking internationally and raising funds for disaster relief. He developed a close friendship with former President Bill Clinton, and they worked together on relief efforts for the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.
What honors were named after George H.W. Bush?

The USS George H.W. Bush, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 2009. Houston Intercontinental Airport was renamed Bush Intercontinental Airport in 1997. He also has a library at Texas A&M University.
How long were George and Barbara Bush married?

They were married for 73 years, from January 6, 1945 until Barbara’s death on April 17, 2018. They held the record for the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history.
Which of George H.W. Bush's children became president?

His eldest son, George W. Bush, became the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001 to 2009. This made them the second father-son pair to both become president, after John and John Quincy Adams.
What was the Bush family's political legacy?

The Bush family produced two U.S. presidents and a governor. George H.W. Bush’s father Prescott was a U.S. Senator, and his son Jeb served as Governor of Florida. The family is considered one of America’s most prominent political dynasties.
What was George H.W. Bush's relationship with Bill Clinton?

Despite being political rivals, Bush and Clinton became close friends after leaving office. They jointly led fundraising campaigns for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Did George H.W. Bush have any pets?

Yes, the Bush family had several pets at the White House, including a springer spaniel named Millie who wrote a book that became a bestseller. They also had a dog named Ranger and a cat named India.
What was George H.W. Bush's education at Yale?

He graduated from Yale University in 1948 with a B.A. in economics. He captained the baseball team that played in the first College World Series in 1947 and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and the Skull and Bones secret society.
Why was George H.W. Bush called 'Poppy'?

The nickname Poppy came from his maternal grandfather, George Herbert Walker, who was known as Poppy. Bush was named after him and the nickname stuck within the family.
What was the Walker Cup and its connection to Bush?

The Walker Cup is a golf trophy named after his grandfather, George Herbert Walker, who was president of the U.S. Golf Association in 1920. The cup is awarded in biennial matches between amateur golfers from the U.S. and Great Britain/Ireland.
How did George H.W. Bush's daughter Robin die?

His second child, Pauline Robinson Bush, nicknamed Robin, died of leukemia on October 11, 1953, just before her fourth birthday. The loss deeply affected the family.
What was the 'new world order' Bush spoke of?

After the Gulf War, Bush articulated a vision of a new world order where nations would cooperate to uphold international law and resolve conflicts peacefully. This reflected the post-Cold War geopolitical landscape.
Did George H.W. Bush write any books?

He co-authored several books, including A World Transformed with Brent Scowcroft about his foreign policy, and a collection of his letters titled All the Best, George Bush.
What was the Doublespeak Award Bush won?

The Doublespeak Award was given by the National Council of Teachers of English for misleading language. Bush received it in 1992 for statements about taxes and the economy, but it is often considered a satirical honor.
How was George H.W. Bush related to Franklin D. Roosevelt?

There is no direct relation listed, but through his mother’s side, Bush was distantly related to many prominent figures. He was a distant cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt but not of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
What sports did George H.W. Bush play?

In his youth, he played baseball and soccer at Phillips Academy, where he captained both teams. At Yale, he was captain of the baseball team. He also enjoyed golf and fishing, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
Did George H.W. Bush receive the Medal of Honor?

No, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, but not the Medal of Honor. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
What was the longest-living U.S. president at the time of Bush's death?

At his death, Bush was the longest-living U.S. president at 94 years 171 days. He had surpassed Gerald Ford’s record in November 2017. Jimmy Carter later surpassed that record.

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Audited & updated by

Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on February 25, 2026

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