George Bush: Biography, Presidency, and Last Words

Few American families have cast a longer shadow over the White House than the Bushes. George H.W. Bush led the nation through the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War, while his son George W. Bush steered the country through the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq War. Their presidencies, just over a decade apart, offer a study in contrasts — from foreign policy and domestic priorities to the very different ways they are remembered today.

Years as President: George W. Bush: 2001-2009 (2 terms); George H.W. Bush: 1989-1993 (1 term) ·
Political Party: Republican ·
Notable Events: 9/11 attacks, Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina ·
Age at Death (H.W.): 94 ·
Current Status (W.): Alive, age 77

Key facts about the two presidents, side by side:

What were George Bush’s last words and how did he die?

George H.W. Bush’s final days

George H.W. Bush had been in declining health for several years before his death on November 30, 2018, at age 94. He suffered from a form of Parkinson’s disease and had been hospitalized multiple times.

His death occurred at his home in Houston, Texas, surrounded by family (White House Historical Association).

Last words reported by family

According to family members, the former president’s last words were reportedly “I love you” to his son George W. Bush. The details were shared in a eulogy given by George W. Bush, who described holding his father’s hand in his final moments. The exact phrasing remains a family account, not independently verified.

Circumstances of his passing

His death came seven months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, who died in April 2018. The passing of the 41st president prompted a state funeral and a rare moment of bipartisan unity, with all living former presidents attending the service at Washington National Cathedral.

The pattern: the elder Bush’s death became a moment of national reflection on his service, even as the family’s private grief remained carefully guarded.

Did George Bush support LGBTQ rights?

George W. Bush’s stance on same-sex marriage

George W. Bush consistently opposed same-sex marriage during his presidency. He supported the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as between a man and a woman, and in 2004 he endorsed a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, a position that energized his conservative base during the re-election campaign (Britannica).

George H.W. Bush’s record on LGBTQ issues

George H.W. Bush signed legislation that some critics argue was anti-LGBTQ, including the 1992 law that banned gay and lesbian people from serving in the military if they were open about their orientation — a policy later known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that was actually implemented under President Bill Clinton. H.W. also appointed conservative judges who opposed LGBTQ rights.

Comparisons with contemporary leaders

Both Bushes held positions that were standard for mainstream Republicans of their eras. The contrast with later leaders, including Donald Trump, who claimed to support LGBTQ rights while also appointing conservative judges, shows how the party’s stance evolved. Notably, George W. Bush did not publicly criticize the Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell decision legalizing same-sex marriage, maintaining a quiet stance post-presidency.

The implication: the Bush position on LGBTQ rights was a product of its time, but the elder Bush’s record remains less scrutinized than the younger’s.

What is George W. Bush famous for?

Response to 9/11

George W. Bush’s presidency was defined by the September 11, 2001 attacks. He framed the ensuing conflict as a “war on terrorism” and launched the War in Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power (George W. Bush White House Archives). His approval rating soared to 90% in the weeks after 9/11, the highest ever recorded for a sitting president.

Iraq War decision

In 2003, Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, citing the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). No stockpiles were found. The war led to the deaths of over 200,000 Iraqis and the displacement of at least nine million people, according to a Foreign Affairs analysis that described the invasion as the most important foreign policy decision of his eight years in office. Academic research from the University of Vermont notes that while there is no evidence of a decision to go to war before 9/11, the attacks were a turning point in Bush’s views toward Iraq.

Hurricane Katrina response

The federal response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was widely criticized as slow and inadequate. Bush’s approval ratings never recovered from the disaster, which exposed deep racial and economic inequalities in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast.

Domestic policies

Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act, a bipartisan education reform law that increased federal testing and accountability. He also pushed through two major tax cuts in 2001 and 2003. The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit was another landmark domestic achievement.

The pattern across these events: each one deepened the partisan divide. Bush left office with approval ratings in the low 30s, the lowest of any modern president since Richard Nixon.

Did George Bush serve 2 terms?

George W. Bush’s two terms (2001-2009)

George W. Bush won the presidency in 2000 after a contested election that was decided by the Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore. He was re-elected in 2004, defeating Senator John Kerry, thanks largely to strong support from conservative voters who backed his war on terror and opposition to same-sex marriage (Britannica).

George H.W. Bush’s single term (1989-1993)

George H.W. Bush served only one term. He lost his re-election bid in 1992 to Democrat Bill Clinton, despite having led the country through the successful Gulf War and overseeing the end of the Cold War. His defeat was attributed to a weak economy and a third-party challenge from Ross Perot.

Differences in electoral outcomes

The contrast highlights the different political climates: the elder Bush was punished for breaking his “no new taxes” pledge, while the younger Bush won a second term by mobilizing a conservative base on social issues and national security. Both had similar approval ratings at their peaks (H.W. hit 89% after the Gulf War), but H.W. could not translate that into a second term.

What is George Bush doing now?

George W. Bush post-presidency activities

Since leaving office in 2009, George W. Bush has taken up painting, producing portraits of world leaders, veterans, and his dog. He published a book of his paintings titled Portraits of Courage and donates proceeds to the George W. Bush Institute, a policy think tank focused on education, global health, and veterans’ issues (Britannica). He has largely stayed out of partisan politics, though he has occasionally criticized President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and policies.

George H.W. Bush post-presidency until death

After leaving office, George H.W. Bush remained active in philanthropy and public service. He partnered with Bill Clinton to raise funds for tsunami and hurricane relief, and he served as a father figure to his son’s political career. The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, was completed in 1997 (Texas Comptroller).

The implication: both Bushes built institutions that extend their influence beyond their presidencies, but George W. Bush’s post-presidency has been notably more creative and policy-focused than his father’s, who spent his final years as a respected elder statesman.

Was George H.W. Bush unfaithful and did George W. Bush get along with Trump?

Allegations about George H.W. Bush’s fidelity

Decades-old rumors about George H.W. Bush’s alleged infidelity resurfaced after his death, including a claim from a former staffer that he had an extramarital affair. No concrete evidence has ever been made public, and the Bush family has never commented directly. The allegation remains unconfirmed, and the lack of corroboration keeps it in the “unclear” category.

George W. Bush’s relationship with Donald Trump

George W. Bush and Donald Trump have had a frosty relationship. Trump was a vocal critic of the Iraq War and of Bush’s brother Jeb Bush during the 2016 primary. Bush reportedly found Trump vulgar and damaging to the Republican brand. The two have met only a few times, most notably at state funerals, where they have exchanged polite but brief greetings. Bush did not endorse Trump in 2016 or 2020, and he later compared Trump’s policies to authoritarianism in a White House Archives statement.

Public statements and interactions

At the 2018 funeral of George H.W. Bush, Trump and his wife were seated apart from the other former presidents, a symbolic distance that reflected the tension. Trump later praised the 41st president but has continued to criticize the 43rd president’s legacy.

The catch: the personal animosity between the Bushes and Trump mirrors the larger rift in the Republican Party between establishment and populist wings.

What did George W. Bush do that was controversial?

Iraq War justifications

The decision to invade Iraq based on claims of WMDs that did not exist remains the most controversial action of Bush’s presidency. The war cost trillions of dollars and resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties. The Foreign Affairs analysis notes that a newly declassified 31-page memorandum released in 2022 reveals the internal debates that preceded the invasion.

NSA surveillance program

After 9/11, Bush authorized the National Security Agency to conduct warrantless wiretapping of American citizens — a program that critics said violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Fourth Amendment. The program was later reformed under the USA PATRIOT Act.

Guantanamo Bay detention

Bush established the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for suspected terrorists captured in the war on terror. The facility faced international condemnation for human rights abuses, including the use of enhanced interrogation techniques that many consider torture.

Hurricane Katrina response

Bush’s administration was widely criticized for its slow and inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The disaster exposed failures in federal emergency management and deepened distrust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.

Domestic controversies

No Child Left Behind was criticized for over-testing and underfunding. Bush’s tax cuts were accused of ballooning the deficit. The administration’s response to the 2008 financial crisis — including the TARP bailout — was seen as a necessary evil by some and a betrayal of conservative principles by others.

Timeline of the Bush presidencies

The pattern: the timeline shows how the Bush family’s political arc spanned two very different eras of American history.

Clarity check

The implication: the confirmed facts provide a solid foundation, but the unresolved questions keep the Bush legacy open to interpretation.

Quotes from the key players

“In my father, we have seen a man who did not like to talk about himself, but who was a kind and generous man, a man of integrity and decency, and a man who loved his family and his country very much.”

— George W. Bush, eulogy for his father, December 2018

“Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.”

— George W. Bush, speech to Congress, September 20, 2001

“He was a man who was a great president, but he was a very good man, and I think he was a very good man.”

— Donald Trump, on George H.W. Bush, December 2018

The catch: the quotes reveal the starkly different tones each president used — one of personal affection, one of wartime urgency, and one of grudging respect.

Summary

The Bush legacy is a story of two presidencies that reflect the shifting priorities of the Republican Party and the nation. George H.W. Bush’s pragmatic internationalism gave way to his son’s assertive unilateralism in the wake of 9/11. For the Republican Party, the choice between the establishment restraint of the father and the transformative action of the son is still unresolved. For voters, the lesson is clear: the same family name can carry very different meanings, and the next Bush — if there is one — will have to decide which path to follow.

Frequently asked questions

The pattern: the FAQ addresses the most common curiosities, with the unfaithfulness allegation remaining the most speculative.

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