George W. Bush.

George Walker Bush

George W. Bush — Athlete

Born 6 Jul 1946 New Haven, USA

Citizenship United States

Age 79 yr Today

18 min read

Reading time

3,472

Words

Mar 9, 2026

Published

247

Film credits

20

Books

35

Awards

TL;DR

George W. Bush, the 43rd president, won the Electoral College in 2000 despite losing the popular vote to Al Gore. He served two terms and became the first son of a president to win two terms. His approval ratings peaked at 90% after 9/11 and fell to 25% by 2008.

Identity & family.

KIN · 10

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

Birth Name George Walker Bush

Nicknames Dubya, Junior, Shrub, Bushy

Aliases Fmr. Pres. Bush, Former President George W. Bush, G.W. Bush, George Bush, Gov. George W. Bush, Pres. George W. Bush, President George W. Bush, President George Bush, President Bush, Republican George W. Bush, former President George W. Bush, former President Bush, George W. Bush Esq.

PARENTS: Barbara Bush George H. W. Bush
SPOUSES: Laura Bush
CHILDREN: Barbara Bush Jenna Bush Hager
SIBLINGS: Dorothy Bush Koch Marvin P. Bush Jeb Bush Neil Bush Robin Bush

At a glance.

STATS

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

79 Age

247 Film credits

20 Books

35 Awards

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who is George W. Bush?

BIOGRAPHY

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

Early life

Two days after Independence Day 1946, George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His father, George H.W. Bush, was attending Yale College. The family moved to Texas when Bush was young, and he was raised in Midland and Houston. He attended Phillips Academy, Yale College, and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Despite a privileged background, Bush struggled academically with a 2.35 GPA at Yale. He has admitted to a drinking problem in his youth, but a late marriage to Laura Welch and a religious conversion to Methodism in 1986 helped stabilize his life.

Career

Bush began his career in the oil and gas industry in Midland, Texas in 1975, working in the energy sector until 1986. From 1989 to 1994, he served as managing general partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team, selling his stake for a $14 million profit. In 1994, he defeated incumbent Governor Ann Richards to become governor of Texas, winning re-election in 1998. His 2000 presidential campaign ended in a contentious election decided by 537 votes in Florida and a Supreme Court ruling. As president, he launched the War on Terror after the September 11 attacks, with approval ratings reaching 90%. He won re-election in 2004 against John Kerry, but his approval ratings fell to 25% by the end of his term.

Personal life

Bush married Laura Welch on November 5, 1977. Their twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, were born on November 25, 1981. In his youth, Bush struggled with alcohol abuse, which he overcame following his marriage and religious conversion in 1986. His parents were George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush; his siblings include Jeb Bush and others. He was arrested for DUI in 1976 in Maine.

Legacy

George W. Bush’s presidency reshaped American foreign policy with the War on Terror. He remains a polarizing figure, with approval ratings ranging from 90% post-9/11 to 25% at the end of his term. He is the first son of a president to win two terms and the first president to hold an MBA. After leaving office, he has focused on painting and philanthropy through the George W. Bush Presidential Center. His response to 9/11 and the 2000 election controversy define his legacy.

Filmography.

FILMS · 247

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

TV

Late Show with David Letterman

1993
TV

Little House on the Prairie

1974
TV

60 Minutes

1968
TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003
TV

Frontline

1983
Movie

Bowling for Columbine

2002
TV

Explained

2018
TV

Mentiras Verdaderas

2011
TV

Jay Leno's Garage

2015
TV

History 101

2020
TV

Turning Point: the Bomb and the Cold War

2024
TV

The Problem with Jon Stewart

2021
Movie

Official Secrets

2019
TV

Dirty Money

2018

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 32

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

Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Three Stars
Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania
Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple/Ensemble
Doublespeak Award
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class
Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great
honorary doctor of the Ohio State University
Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor
National Defense Service Medal
St. George's Order of Victory
Financial Times Person of the Year
Philadelphia Liberty Medal
Order of the Republic of North Macedonia
Order of Sikatuna
Order of Merit of Benin
Order pro Merito Melitensi
Order of Kuwait
Hungarian Order of Merit
Order of Zayed
Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud
Order of Vytautas the Great
Order of the Star of Romania
Order of the National Flag
Amir Amanullah Khan Award
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
National Order of Benin
Order of Al-Khalifa
Order of Freedom
Order of Independence
Order of the Three Stars
Order of the Pioneers of Liberia
Grand Order of King Tomislav

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 20

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

Amazon

George W. Bushisms

by George W. Bush
Amazon

A Charge to Keep

by George W. Bush
Amazon

The American Spirit

by Life Books (Firm) et al.
Amazon

The Quotable George W. Bush

by George W. Bush et al.
Amazon

More George W. Bushisms

by George W. Bush
Amazon

George W. Bushisms V

by Jacob Weisberg et al.
Amazon

Still More George W. Bushisms

by George W. Bush

Could not load more books.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 34

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

Quotas Are Bad for America. It’s Not the Way America Is All About.
Mr. Vice President, in All Due Respect, It Is I’m Not Sure 80 Percent of the People Get the Death Tax. I Know This: 100 Percent Will Get It If I’m the President.
I Think We Ought to Raise the Age at Which Juveniles Can Have a Gun.
It’s One Thing About Insurance, That’s a Washington Term.
Drug Therapies Are Replacing a Lot of Medicines as We Used to Know It.
If I’m the President, We’re Going to Have Emergency Room Care, We’re Going to Have Gag Orders.
The Very Act of Spending Money Can Be Expensive.
I Know What I Believe. I Will Continue to Articulate What I Believe and What I Believe I Believe What I Believe Is Right.
Actually, I This May Sound a Little West Texan to You, but I Like It. When I’m Talking About When I’m Talking About Myself, and When He’s Talking About Myself, All of Us Are Talking About Me.
More and More of Our Imports Come from Overseas.
The California Crunch Really Is the Result of Not Enough Power Generating Plants and Then Not Enough Power to Power the Power of Generating Plants.
This Administration Is Doing Everything We Can to End the Stalemate in an Efficient Way. We’re Making the Right Decisions to Bring the Solution to an End.
It’s Your Money. You Paid for It.
I Think If You Know What You Believe, It Makes It a Lot Easier to Answer Questions; I Can’t Answer Your Question.
I Know the Human Being and Fish Can Coexist Peacefully.
One of the Common Denominators I Have Found Is That Expectations Rise Above That Which Is Expected.
The United States Has No Truer Friend Than Great Britain.
America Has Stood Down Enemies Before, and We Will Do so This Time. None of Us Will Ever Forget This Day. Yet, We Go Forward to Defend Freedom and All That Is Good and Just in Our World.
I Hope I Stand for Anti Bigotry, Anti Semitism, Anti Racism. This Is What Drives Me.
Is Our Children Learning?
The Presidency Is More Than an Honor, It Is More Than an Office, It Is a Charge to Keep and I Will Give It My All.
I Was Not Elected to Serve One Party, but to Serve One Nation.
I Will Not Yield, I Will Not Rest, I Will Not Relent in Waging the Struggle for Freedom and Security for the American People.
Our Priorities Are Our Faith. Our Priorities Are Our Family. Our Priority Is a Country We Love Dearly Called America.
We Spent a Lot of Time Talking About Africa, as We Should. Africa Is a Nation That Suffers from Incredible Disease, and It Suffers from Poverty as Well.
This Is Still a Dangerous World. It’s a World of Madmen and Uncertainty and Potential Mental Losses.
Our Enemies Are Innovative and Resourceful, and so Are We. They Never Stop Thinking About New Ways to Harm Our Country and Our People, and Neither Do We.
If We Wait for Threats to Fully Materialize, We Will Have Waited Too Long.
I Don’t Think I Was Clinically an Alcoholic; I Didn’t Have the Genuine Addiction. I Don’t Know Why I Drank. I Liked to Drink, I Guess.
In the Corporate World, Sometimes Things Aren’t Exactly Black and White When It Comes to Accounting Procedures.
My Job Is to Lead.
My Job Is To, Like, Think Beyond the Immediate.
My Views Are One That Speaks to Freedom.
The Signal We Ought to Send to Our Children Is That in Spite of What Happened in the ’60S and ’70S, We Have Learned Some Lessons. and the Lessons Ought to Be: Don’t Be Using Drugs and Alcohol.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

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

He is the only U.S. president ever to father twins.
Calls all regular White House strategy meetings strategery meetings in honor of Will Ferrell’s portrayal of him on Saturday Night Live.
His favorite actors are Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stallone; both attended his first presidential inauguration on January 20, 2001.
Refuses to publicly criticize or critique his presidential successors.
He was the first sitting U.S. president to visit an Olympic games outside the United States when he observed the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Elected to two terms as Texas governor, defeating Governor Ann Richards in 1994 and winning re-election in 1998, becoming the first governor in Texas history elected to two consecutive four-year terms.
Lost the popular vote like John Quincy Adams, the first president to be the son of a former president; however, Adams did not win the electoral college, while Bush won a disputed electoral college with 271 votes to Al Gore’s 266.
Is the first U.S. president to hold an MBA degree.
Was an F-102 pilot with the Air National Guard.
Quit smoking cigarettes in the 1980s but continues to smoke occasional cigars.
Collects autographed baseballs and owns over 250.
9th cousin twice removed of John Kerry, his rival in the 2004 election; both are descended from Edmund Reade 1563-1623.
Is the only serving U.S. president to never have been portrayed on The Simpsons; the exception was a crude cut-out used by Homer Simpson to fool his father in the episode Two Bad Neighbors 1996, when Bush was governor of Texas.
Was the third Republican and fourth president overall from Texas since 1953, after Dwight D. Eisenhower, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Served in the Texas Air National Guard.
Arrested in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol in Kennebunkport, Maine; pled guilty, paid a fine, and had his driver’s license suspended for 30 days.
Owns his look-alike puppet from the French show Les Guignols de l’info.
Between 1952 and 2004, every Republican presidential ticket except one included the name of either Richard Nixon, Bob Dole, or someone named Bush.
Began his career in the oil and gas business in Midland, Texas in 1975 and worked in the energy industry until 1986.
Enjoys playing golf.
According to Karl Rove, his favorite science fiction TV series is Babylon 5.
The first president in 112 years to lose the popular vote and win the electoral college vote; the next was Donald Trump in 2016.
Was the managing general partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team from 1989 to 1994.
Has fraternal twin daughters, Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, born November 25, 1981.
In fall 2000, his daughter Barbara Bush attended Yale University, her father’s and grandfather’s alma mater.
Is the first father or son of a president to serve two terms; John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and his own father all lost re-election.
Re-elected as president on November 2, 2004, receiving 59,459,765 votes 51% and 286 electoral votes to John Kerry’s 55,949,407 48% and 252 electoral votes.
Portrayed on Saturday Night Live by Will Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, Chris Parnell, and Will Forte.
Raised in Midland and Houston, Texas, with four siblings; his younger sister Robin died from leukemia at age three in 1953.
Arrested twice for college pranks: pulling up Princeton goal posts and borrowing a Christmas wreath from a store door.
His twin daughters had legal issues in 2000-2001, including underage drinking citations.
His SAT score was 1206 566 verbal, 640 math.
Resides with his wife Laura Bush outside Dallas, Texas in semi-retirement, making occasional public appearances as a motivational speaker.
Is the cousin of Billy Bush.
Son of President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, and grandson of Senator Prescott Bush.
Succession to the presidency decided by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 split decision after a six-week battle over the election result.
Recognized as president-elect on December 13, 2000 after Al Gore’s concession.
He, his father, and grandfather were all members of Yale’s Skull and Bones Society, as was his 2004 opponent John Kerry.
His cumulative undergraduate GPA at Yale was 2.35.
Was the first president in four presidential elections to win the majority of the popular vote, with 51% in 2004.
Since 1932, the fate of the incumbent party paralleled the final pre-election game of the Washington Redskins; in 2004 Bush broke that pattern by winning despite a Redskins loss.
First U.S. president to receive an acting nomination and win from the Razzie Awards, winning Worst Actor for Fahrenheit 9/11 2004.
Has no sons to pass on the name George Bush; his nephew George P. Bush is the son of brother Jeb Bush.
A statement Bush made in January 2001 referred to the operating location near Groom Lake, the first official recognition of Area 51’s existence.
Attended Yale University with future Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau, serving on the dormitory social committee together.
Had both the highest 90% after 9/11 and lowest 25% in late 2008 approval ratings of any president according to Gallup.
First sitting president to visit Sweden, in 2001.
Daughters Barbara and Jenna named for their grandmothers: Barbara Bush and Jenna Welch.
Lost the 1978 race for Congress from Texas’s 19th district to Democrat Kent Hance by approximately 6,000 votes 6%.
Under a law signed by Bill Clinton, Bush was the first president to earn a $400,000 salary per year as of his inauguration on January 20, 2001.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 44

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

When was George W. Bush born?

George W. Bush was born on July 6, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut. He was born two days after Independence Day. His birth name is George Walker Bush.
Where was George W. Bush born?

George W. Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. He is the first son of President George H.W. Bush, who was attending Yale College at the time.
How old is George W. Bush?

George W. Bush was born on July 6, 1946, making him 79 years old as of 2025. He is the 43rd president of the United States.
What is George W. Bush's real name?

George W. Bush’s real name is George Walker Bush. He is commonly known as George W. Bush, with the W standing for Walker.
What does George W. Bush do for a living?

George W. Bush is listed as a Camera Crew and Soundtrack Artist on IMDb. He has appeared in documentaries and TV shows, often as himself or through archive footage.
What nationality is George W. Bush?

George W. Bush is a citizen of the United States. He served as the 43rd president of the United States from January 2001 to January 2009.
What language does George W. Bush speak?

George W. Bush speaks English as his native language. He is known for his distinctive speaking style, often characterized by colloquialisms and malapropisms.
Who are George W. Bush's parents?

George W. Bush’s parents are George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, and Barbara Bush. He was their first child.
Who is George W. Bush married to?

George W. Bush is married to Laura Bush, formerly Laura Welch. They married on November 5, 1977.
Does George W. Bush have children?

Yes, George W. Bush and his wife Laura have twin daughters, Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, born on November 25, 1981. They were named after their grandmothers.
Does George W. Bush have any siblings?

Yes, George W. Bush has five siblings: Dorothy Bush Koch, Marvin P. Bush, Jeb Bush, Neil Bush, and Robin Bush, who died of leukemia at age three in 1953.
Where did George W. Bush go to school?

George W. Bush attended The Kinkaid School, Phillips Academy, Yale College, Harvard Business School, Davenport College, and St. Anthony Catholic School. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
What awards has George W. Bush won?

George W. Bush has received numerous awards, including the Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Three Stars, the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor, and the Doublespeak Award multiple times. He has also been awarded the Philadelphia Liberty Medal and many foreign orders.
How many awards has George W. Bush won?

According to the source, George W. Bush has won 35 major awards, including honors from countries like Romania, Lithuania, and Kuwait. He also won two Golden Raspberry Awards.
What is George W. Bush best known for?

George W. Bush is best known for being the 43rd president of the United States, his response to the September 11 attacks, and the controversial 2000 election. He also appears in documentaries like Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11.
What is George W. Bush's Instagram?

George W. Bush’s Instagram handle is @georgewbush. He posts about his paintings, philanthropic work, and family life.
How tall is George W. Bush?

George W. Bush is 6 feet 0 inches 1.82 m tall. His height is often noted in biographical profiles.
What nicknames has George W. Bush had?

George W. Bush has been called Dubya, Junior, Shrub, and Bushy. The nickname Dubya comes from the Texas pronunciation of the letter W, which is his middle initial.
Why is George W. Bush sometimes called Former President George W. Bush?

After leaving office, George W. Bush is often referred to as Former President George W. Bush to distinguish him from his father, George H.W. Bush. He has also been credited as George Bush in some media appearances.
When did George W. Bush marry Laura Bush?

George W. Bush married Laura Welch on November 5, 1977. They have been married for over 45 years.
What is George W. Bush's SAT score?

George W. Bush scored 1206 on the SAT, with 566 on the verbal section and 640 on math. This is above the national average for the time.
Did George W. Bush serve in the military?

Yes, George W. Bush served as an F-102 pilot with the Texas Air National Guard. He was also a member of the Air National Guard.
What was George W. Bush's GPA at Yale?

George W. Bush’s cumulative undergraduate GPA at Yale was 2.35. He maintained a gentlemanly C average.
What is George W. Bush's favorite TV show?

According to Karl Rove, George W. Bush’s favorite science fiction TV series is Babylon 5.
How many times has George W. Bush won the Doublespeak Award?

George W. Bush has won the Doublespeak Award multiple times, with the source listing three instances. The award is given by the National Council of Teachers of English for dishonesty in public language.
What was George W. Bush's role with the Texas Rangers?

George W. Bush was the managing general partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team from 1989 to 1994. He sold his stake for a $14 million profit.
Did George W. Bush win the popular vote in 2000?

No, George W. Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore in 2000 but won the Electoral College with 271 votes to Gore’s 266. He became the first president in 112 years to do so.
Who did George W. Bush defeat in the 1994 Texas governor race?

George W. Bush defeated incumbent Governor Ann Richards in the 1994 Texas gubernatorial election. He won re-election in 1998.
What is the George W. Bush Presidential Center?

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is a library and museum located in Dallas, Texas. It houses his presidential papers and hosts the Bush Institute, which focuses on leadership and freedom.
How many electoral votes did George W. Bush get in 2004?

In 2004, George W. Bush received 286 electoral votes to John Kerry’s 252. He also won the popular vote with 51% 59,459,765 votes.
What is George W. Bush's connection to the Bin Laden family?

George W. Bush’s father, George H.W. Bush, had connections with the Saudi royal family and the Bin Laden clan. These connections were part of Bush Jr.’s Middle Eastern oil projects.
Did George W. Bush have a drinking problem?

Yes, George W. Bush has admitted to struggling with alcohol abuse in his youth. He quit drinking after his marriage to Laura Bush and his conversion to Christianity in 1986.
What is George W. Bush's religious affiliation?

George W. Bush is a Methodist. He converted from Episcopalianism in 1986, describing it as a rebirth as a believing Christian.
Who are George W. Bush's twin daughters?

George W. Bush’s twin daughters are Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, born on November 25, 1981. Barbara is named after her paternal grandmother, and Jenna after her maternal grandmother.
What is George W. Bush's IQ?

George W. Bush’s IQ is not explicitly stated in the source, but his SAT score of 1206 and academic achievements suggest above-average intelligence.
How did George W. Bush become a millionaire?

George W. Bush became a millionaire through Middle Eastern oil projects using his father’s connections, and later through his ownership stake in the Texas Rangers baseball team, which he sold for $14 million.
What was George W. Bush's highest approval rating?

George W. Bush’s highest approval rating was 90% following the September 11 attacks, according to Gallup polls.
What was George W. Bush's lowest approval rating?

George W. Bush’s lowest approval rating was 25% in late 2008, near the end of his second term, also according to Gallup.
Did George W. Bush visit Sweden during his presidency?

Yes, George W. Bush was the first sitting U.S. president to visit Sweden, which he did in 2001.
What is George W. Bush's connection to the Razzie Awards?

George W. Bush is the first U.S. president to win a Razzie Award. He won Worst Actor for his appearance in the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 2004.
Who portrayed George W. Bush on Saturday Night Live?

George W. Bush has been portrayed on Saturday Night Live by Will Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, Chris Parnell, and Will Forte.
What is Area 51's connection to George W. Bush?

In January 2001, a statement by George W. Bush referred to the operating location near Groom Lake, which is considered the first official recognition of Area 51’s existence.
Is George W. Bush related to Billy Bush?

Yes, George W. Bush is a cousin of Billy Bush, the television personality.
What was George W. Bush's 1976 arrest for?

George W. Bush was arrested in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol in Kennebunkport, Maine. He pled guilty, paid a fine, and had his license suspended for 30 days.

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Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on March 9, 2026

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