Who is Dorothy Bush Koch? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Dorothy Walker Bush

Age: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Bobby Koch (m. 1992), William LeBlond (m. 1982–1990)

father: George H. W. Bush

mother: Barbara Bush

siblings: George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Marvin Bush, Neil Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush

children: Ellie LeBlond, Gigi Koch, Robert Koch, Sam LeBlond

Biographers Philanthropists

Height: 1.65 m

U.S. State: Texas

More Facts

education: Miss Porter's School, United Nations International School, Boston College

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Childhood & Early life

Dorothy was born to George HW Bush and Barbara Bush, on August 18, 1959, in Harris County, Texas, US. She was named after her paternal grandmother, Dorothy Walker Bush, and was also known as “Doro” in her family. She acquired the name “Doro” while she was in school. She had five siblings: George W Bush, Pauline Robinson “Robin” Bush, Jeb Bush, Marvin Bush, and Neil Bush.

George W Bush later became the 43rd president of the US. Jeb Bush became the governor of Florida, while Neil Bush and Marvin Bush grew up to be businessmen and investors. Pauline Robinson, Dorothy’s only sister and the second child of George HW Bush, died of leukemia in 1953 at just 3 years of age.

Initially, Dorothy’s family often moved around from place to place, finally settling in Houston, Texas. She spent the majority of her childhood days at the Bush compound, a summer house of the family. It was a sprawling estate in Kennebunkport, Maine.

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Achievements & Awards

Dorothy completed her schooling from a private all-girl school named ‘Miss Porter’s School,’ in Farmington, Connecticut. She visited the People’s Republic of China in 1975, where she became the first person to receive a public baptism in the aftermath of the government’s crackdown on foreign religious practices. Dorothy obtained a BA degree in sociology from ‘Boston College’ in 1982.

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Career

Dorothy is an event organizer and works actively for a number of charities. She has participated in the presidential campaigns of her brother George W Bush. She has authored a book named ‘My Father, My President: A Personal Account of the Life of George H.W. Bush.’

The book is a biography and a memoir of her father. It provides an unmatched insider’s view of his experiences as a vice president (1981–1989) under President Ronald Reagan and as a president (1989–1993). The book also encompasses the experiences of Dorothy’s father as an ambassador, a businessman, and the 11th director of the ‘Central Intelligence Agency’ (CIA). The book was published by ‘Warner Books’ in 2006.

She wrote this book using her own personal recollections and interviews with George HW Bush, his colleagues, and his other friends and family members. She also used her father’s personal papers and notes to create an overall impression of her father not only as a politician but also as a parent. With her book, she successfully portrayed her father as a happy man who gave utmost importance to his duties as a father. She also brought out his humorous side and changed the perceptions of people who considered Mr. Bush to be just only a serious businessman and political leader.

She has also been featured in many periodicals, such as one for ‘America’s Intelligence Wire’ named ‘Former President’s Daughter Shares Insights,’ on October 1, 2006.

Dorothy sponsored the commission of the vessel ‘USS George H.W. Bush,’ named after her father. She gave the first orders to the crew of this newly commissioned naval vessel, in Norfolk, Virginia, on January 10, 2009.

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Personal Life

Dorothy Bush Koch has always given utmost priority to her friends and family. She shared strong bonds with her father and has always been close to her siblings. Dorothy called her father once every week and asked for his advice on serious matters. George HW Bush died on November 30, 2018, in Houston. Following her father’s death, Dorothy said in an interview that she recalled the days when her father would read bedtime stories and they would both would talk about Robin, his other daughter who died in childhood, whom Dorothy could not recollect.

Dorothy has been married twice. She was initially married to William Heekin LeBlond. They got married on Sept 1, 1982, after which she was known as Dorothy Bush LeBlond for years. Soon, the couple had two children: Samuel Bush and Nancy Ellis. Dorothy and William divorced in 1990, 8 years after their marriage.

Dorothy got married for the second time, to Robert P Koch, also known as Bobby Koch. He is a lobbyist, a policy advocate, and the president of the ‘Wine Institute.’ He also owns a large share of equity interest in the ‘Central European Distribution Corporation,’ which manufactures and distributes vodka in Poland. Dorothy and Robert got married in a small ceremony at ‘Camp David’ in June 1992. Soon, they had two children: Robert David and Georgia Grace.

She currently lives with her husband in Bethesda, in suburban Maryland.

Dorothy Bush Koch Biography