Laura Bush Bio
Laura Lane Welch Bush, born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, is an American educator, librarian, and author who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009. She is the wife of George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, and previously held the role of First Lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000 while her husband was governor.
Throughout her time in the White House, Laura Bush championed initiatives in education, literacy, women’s health, and child welfare, founding the National Book Festival in 2001. A former teacher and school librarian, she continued her advocacy work after leaving the White House by establishing the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries and the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health.
Early Life and Background
Laura Lane Welch Bush was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, to Harold Bruce Welch and Jenna Louise Welch. As an only child, she grew up in a close-knit family environment that valued education and community involvement. Her early years in the small West Texas city shaped her lifelong appreciation for reading and learning.
She attended Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, where she was an active student. In 1963, at the age of 17, Laura was involved in a serious car accident in Midland that resulted in the death of her friend, Michael Douglas. Despite this tragedy, she continued her studies and graduated from high school, eventually pursuing higher education.
Laura attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1968. Following her undergraduate studies, she took a job as a second-grade teacher, beginning her career in education. Later, she pursued a Master of Library Science degree at the University of Texas at Austin, which led to her working as a school librarian.
Path to US Politics
Laura Bush’s entry into political life began through her marriage to George W. Bush, whom she met in July 1977 through mutual friends Joe and Jan O’Neill at a backyard barbecue. The couple married on November 5, 1977, at the First United Methodist Church in Midland, Texas. Shortly after their marriage, Laura became involved in her husband’s political aspirations.
In 1978, she campaigned alongside George W. Bush during his unsuccessful bid for a seat in the United States Congress, delivering her first stump speech on the courthouse steps in Muleshoe, Texas. Although her husband lost the general election, this experience marked the beginning of Laura’s involvement in political campaigning.
When George W. Bush successfully ran for Governor of Texas in 1994, Laura took on a more prominent public role as the First Lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000. During this period, she focused on issues such as health, education, and literacy. Her advocacy work in Texas laid the groundwork for her national platform when she became First Lady of the United States in 2001.
Laura Bush Career
Early Career (1968-2000)
After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southern Methodist University in 1968, Laura Bush began her professional career as a second-grade teacher. Her passion for education and literature led her to pursue a Master of Library Science degree at the University of Texas at Austin, after which she worked as a school librarian.
Her transition into public life began with her marriage to George W. Bush in 1977. As the wife of a politician, Laura gradually took on more public-facing responsibilities, especially during her husband’s tenure as Governor of Texas. As First Lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000, she implemented various initiatives focused on literacy, education, and health, setting the stage for her later national role.
First Lady of the United States (2001-2009)
Laura Bush became First Lady of the United States on January 20, 2001, when her husband was inaugurated as the 43rd President. She quickly established herself as a strong advocate for education and literacy, founding the annual National Book Festival in 2001 to promote reading across the country.
Throughout her eight years in the White House, Laura Bush maintained consistently high approval ratings, often surpassing those of her husband. She focused on global issues such as HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness, taking five goodwill trips to Africa and traveling to 77 countries during her husband’s presidency, with 67 of those visits occurring during the second term.
In addition to her work on literacy, Laura Bush advanced women’s causes through partnerships with organizations like The Heart Truth and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She also played a significant role in promoting breast cancer awareness, particularly during her trips to the Middle East, where she worked with the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research.
Post-White House Advocacy (2009-Present)
After leaving the White House in 2009, Laura Bush continued her advocacy for literacy, education, and women’s health. She published her memoir, Spoken from the Heart, in 2010, which received mixed critical reviews but resonated with readers. In 2016, she released a non-fiction book about Afghan women titled We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope.
Laura Bush also co-authored two children’s books with her daughter Jenna: Read All About It! in 2008 and Our Great Big Backyard in 2016. Beyond her writing, she remained active in public life, campaigning for Republican candidates and participating in various speaking engagements. In 2015, she was notably involved in her brother-in-law Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign, hosting fundraisers and endorsing his candidacy.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Laura Bush’s tenure as First Lady was her response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Two weeks after the tragedy, she inaugurated a music concert at the Kennedy Center to raise funds for the families of the victims, earning praise for her composure and compassion. She also became a strong advocate for Afghan women’s rights following the attacks, believing they sparked global interest in the plight of Afghan women.
Laura Bush Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Laura Lane Welch Bush was born to Harold Bruce Welch and Jenna Louise Welch in Midland, Texas. As an only child, she later gained a large extended family through her marriage to George W. Bush, who has siblings, including brothers Jeb and Marvin Bush. Laura has often spoken about the warmth and acceptance she received from the Bush family after her marriage.
The Bushes have maintained strong family ties, often gathering at the family estate, Walker’s Point, in Kennebunkport, Maine. This compound has been the site of Bush family gatherings for nearly a century.
Marriage and Children
Laura Bush married George W. Bush on November 5, 1977, at the First United Methodist Church in Midland, Texas. The couple honeymooned in Cozumel, Mexico. After three years of trying to conceive, Laura gave birth to fraternal twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, on November 25, 1981, via emergency Caesarean section at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. The twins were born five weeks early due to Laura developing life-threatening pre-eclampsia.
Throughout their marriage, Laura has been credited with having a stabilizing influence on her husband, including encouraging him to stop drinking in 1986. George W. Bush has often described his decision to marry Laura as the best of his life, and the couple remains actively involved in public service and philanthropy together.