Laura Bush Biography

(Wife of Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady of the United States (2001 - 2009))

Birthday: November 4, 1946 (Scorpio)

Born In: Midland, Texas, United States

Laura Lane Welch Bush, popularly known as Laura Bush, is the wife of the 43rd U. S. President George W. Bush and was the First Lady of the country from 2001-2009. She grew up in a religious and educated business-class family, in a household that placed more than usual importance on reading and education. She graduated from the University of Texas and worked as a teacher and librarian for many years. But getting married to George W. Bush in the late ‘70s changed her life forever as she was suddenly brought into the public limelight and expected to make a difference to the country in the role of the First Lady. Laura was reluctant about making her life public in the beginning but steadily started using her powerful status in working towards the concerns that were close to her heart, like, development of children, spreading literacy, spreading awareness about the matters that concerned women’s health like breast cancer, etc. She did not only raise these matters in America but took these concerns to other countries as well, like, Middle East, Africa, etc. She started many literacy programmes, help built libraries and founded educational institutes. Bush’s stabilizing effect on her husband’s private life is quite openly known - she helped him in consolidating his public image by working hand in hand with him.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Laura Lane Welch Bush, Laura Lane Welch

Age: 77 Years, 77 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: George Bush (m. 1977)

father: Harold Bruce Welch

mother: Jenna Louise Hawkins

Born Country: United States

First Ladies American Women

Height: 1.64 m

political ideology: Republican

Ancestry: French American, British American, Swiss American

Ideology: Republicans

U.S. State: Texas

More Facts

education: Southern Methodist University, University Of Texas At Austin

awards: 2008 - Christian Freedom International Freedom Award

  • 1

    What causes does Laura Bush support?

    Laura Bush is known for her advocacy on education, literacy, and women's rights issues.

  • 2

    What is Laura Bush's professional background?

    Laura Bush worked as a teacher and librarian before becoming the First Lady of the United States.

  • 3

    What books has Laura Bush written?

    Laura Bush has authored two books: "Spoken from the Heart" and "Our Great Big Backyard."

  • 4

    What is Laura Bush's stance on environmental issues?

    Laura Bush has supported conservation efforts and environmental initiatives during her time as First Lady.

  • 5

    What is Laura Bush's involvement in humanitarian efforts?

    Laura Bush has been actively involved in various humanitarian causes, including promoting global health and women's empowerment.

Childhood & Early Life
Laura Bush was born in Midlands, Texas, to Harold Welch and Jenna Louise Hawkins Welch. Her father was a real estate developer and her mother was a bookkeeper for her husband’s business.
She went to the James Brownie Elementary School, San Jacinto Junior High School and Robert E. Lee High School in Midland. She later on attended the Southern Methodist University, Dallas, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.
After graduating from the university, Laura started her career as a second grade school teacher at Longfellow Elementary School in the Dallas Independent School District and later on taught at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Houston.
In 1973, Laura earned a Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Texas, after which she started working at the Houston Public Library. In the following year, she went to work at the Austin Independent School District.
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Career
Bush became the First Lady of Texas after George Bush was elected as the Governor of Texas in 1995. She used her position to work for causes that she truly believed in—state funding for literacy, breast cancer awareness, etc.
In 2000, her husband started campaigning for the U.S. presidency and she supported him wholeheartedly. She made her first national speech at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
George bush went on to win the presidential elections in 2000 and Laura decided to keep a low profile as the First Lady but the 9/11 terrorist attacks compelled her to join her husband in reassuring the nation.
After the attacks, Laura worked on addressing the various aftermath issues, especially the parent’s trepidation over how the violence of the attacks had affected their children. She talked about the ways family members can comfort each other.
Her first term as the First Lady was involved in working towards issues like, child development, higher teachers’ salaries, better training for Head Start programs. She started a national scheme—‘Ready to Read Ready to Learn’.
During the 2004 campaign, Bush was more public and verbal and delivered a major policy speech at the Republic National Convention; spoke of accomplishments and goals of Bush Administration. These speeches were normally delivered by office holders and political supporters.
As soon as George Bush was elected the president again, Laura started working towards pushing forward the national concerns for health, literacy and gender equality. She also travelled to Afghanistan to endorse a new teacher-training institute for Afghan Women.
In 2005, she attended the World Economic Forum and spoke about the connection between educating the nation and promoting the true essence of democracy. Throughout this time, she continued supporting women’s health issues.
Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health was founded in 2007 at Texas Tech University and in the same year, she travelled around Middle East to promote breast cancer awareness.
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After George Bush’s second term ended in 2008, the Bush family moved back to Dallas, Texas, and she worked on the George W. Bush Presidential Library along with her husband.
In 2010, Laura released her memoir titled, ‘Spoken from the Heart’. She continued to work for the causes she truly believes in like women’s health issues, literacy, child development, etc. even after she left the White House.
Major Works
Laura’s most prominent work is considered to be the causes she worked for in the position of the First Lady. She promoted issues related to children, women’s health, gender equality and endorsed literacy throughout the nation.
Awards & Achievements
During her First Lady days, she was honored with The Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity honor, American Library Association honor, Christian Freedom International Freedom Award, etc.
Personal Life & Legacy
Bush met George W. Bush in 1977 at a mutual friend’s backyard barbecue party. They started dating each other and in the same year the couple got married in the First United Methodist Church in Midland, Texas.
She tried to conceive for many years before her twin daughters Barbara and Jenna were born in 1981. Laura Bush is the only First Lady in the American History who gave birth to twins.
Facts About Laura Bush

Laura Bush is an avid reader and former librarian, advocating for literacy and education throughout her time as First Lady.

She has a passion for preserving historic sites and promoting cultural heritage, leading efforts to restore and protect important landmarks in the United States.

Laura Bush is a supporter of women's rights and empowerment, using her platform to raise awareness of issues affecting women and girls around the world.

She is known for her love of gardening and has been involved in various environmental initiatives, promoting sustainability and conservation efforts.

Laura Bush is a dedicated advocate for healthcare access and has worked to improve healthcare services for underserved communities, particularly focusing on children's health.

See the events in life of Laura Bush in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Laura Bush Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/laura-bush-4934.php

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