Then U.S. President George W. Bush (R) waves alongside his parents, former President George Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush upon their arrival in Fort Hood, Texas, in this April 8, 2007 file photo. Credit: Reuters
Former first lady Barbara Bush remained hospitalized in Houston on Wednesday, suffering from a respiratory ailment, a spokesman for her husband’s office said.
Bush, 88, both the wife and mother of U.S. presidents, was admitted on Monday to Methodist Hospital in Houston’s Texas Medical Center, according to the office of former President George H.W. Bush.
She was being treated for a “respiratory-related issue,” her husband’s office said.
There was no new information on her condition as of Wednesday morning, according to Jim McGrath, a spokesman for her husband’s office.
She was in good spirits and was receiving visits from her husband and family, the office said on Tuesday.
Bush is the wife of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, and mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. president.
President Barack Obama sent his best wishes to the former first lady in a statement from Hawaii where he is vacationing with his family.
“Barbara is blessed to have both a loving, supportive family by her side and a vibrant spirit that we hope will have her feeling better soon,” the president said in the statement. “I know I speak for Americans everywhere when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and her family on this New Year’s Day.”
Bush was known to the American public as a no-nonsense wife and mother who said she was more interested in running a household than in helping her husband run the country.
After leaving the White House, she pursued her interest in promoting literacy and reading and also wrote her memoirs.
