Encyclopedia · Private Biography Draft
George W. Bush
43rd president of the United States
Personal details
- Full name
- George Walker Bush
- Born
- July 6, 1946 · New Haven, Connecticut
- Parents
- George H. W. Bush; Barbara Pierce Bush
- Education
- Phillips Academy; Yale University, B.A. in history (1968); Harvard Business School, M.B.A. (1975)
- Spouse
- Laura Welch (married 1977)
- Children
- Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager (twins)
- Religion
- United Methodist; describes evangelical Christian faith
- Military
- Texas and Alabama Air National Guard (1968–1974)
- Political affiliation
- Republican
- Public office
- Governor of Texas (1995–2000); U.S. president (2001–2009)
George Walker Bush (born 1946) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Previously governor of Texas, he is the eldest son of former president George H. W. Bush.
Family and education
Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to George H. W. Bush and Barbara Pierce Bush and grew up chiefly in Texas. He attended primary schools in Midland and Houston, Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, Yale University, and Harvard Business School.
He married teacher and librarian Laura Welch in 1977. Their twin daughters are Barbara and Jenna. His younger siblings include Jeb Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush and Dorothy Bush; sister Robin died in childhood.
Military service and business
Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard, including service in Alabama, from 1968 until discharge in 1974. He later worked in the Texas oil and gas business and was part of an investor group that acquired the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989.
Political career
Bush won election as governor of Texas in 1994 and served from 1995 to 2000. He was elected president in 2000 and reelected in 2004. His administration undertook military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and enacted policies including the No Child Left Behind Act and Medicare Part D.
Political strategist Ralph Reed participated in both of Bush’s presidential campaigns, according to the University of Georgia oral history collection.
References
- George W. Bush Presidential Library — detailed official chronology
- George W. Bush Presidential Center — biographical record
- University of Georgia — Ralph Reed oral-history record
- Miller Center — early life
- Chapter 3 primary or archival record — obamalibrary.gov
- Chapter 4 documented connection — www.reaganlibrary.gov
- Chapter 5 documented connection — www.fjc.gov
- Chapter 5 documented connection — www.supremecourt.gov
- Documented Chapter 5 connection — accountabilityinstitute.org
Research compiled through November 12, 2026. Sources and historical roles are dated where known.