Happy 90th Birthday, Barbara Bush!

Updated
How Barbara Bush Reacted Upon Learning Bill Clinton Is Her Distant Relative
How Barbara Bush Reacted Upon Learning Bill Clinton Is Her Distant Relative

One of America's favorite first ladies turns 90 today!

Barbara Bush Literary Honors
Barbara Bush Literary Honors



To celebrate the former first lady, here are some of the coolest and most interesting facts about her!

1) She is related to at least three presidents already
Other than being George H.W. Bush's wife and George W. Bush's mother, Barbara's great-great-uncle was Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. Also, A.J. Jacobs, journalist, told HuffPost Live that the Bush family and the Clinton family might be related as well! He said he told Mrs. Bush that they might be 8th cousins, 3 times removed, and she was "loved" the news and always considered Bill her "son from another mother." Talk about a White House legacy!

Engraved color portrait of Franklin Pierce, 14th US President, circa 1855. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Engraved color portrait of Franklin Pierce, 14th US President, circa 1855. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)





2) She could be the woman to have two sons serve as president
As just about every American knows, Barbara has seen her husband in the Oval Office, along with her son, George W. Bush. However, if all goes well for the family, we could possibly see her other son, Jeb Bush, as the 45th President of the United States. She isn't the only first lady to hold the distinction of having a son and husband serve in office; Abigail Adams was wife and mother to second President of the United States, John Adams, and sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, respectively.

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES:  Former US President George H.W. Bush (L) and his wife Barbara Bush(R) walk into St. John's Episcopal Church with their son US President George W. Bush(2nd-R) and his wife Laura to attend an early Sunday morning prayer service in 07 December 2003 in Washington. The historical church is a block away from the White House and has served various presidents for years.  AFP Photo/Paul J. RICHARDS  (Photo credit should read PAUL J.RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)


3) She was born in New York City!
She has roots in Queens. The future first lady was born on June 8, 1925 in the Big Apple.

President Bush Visits Manhattan Church
President Bush Visits Manhattan Church


4) Her nickname is "everybody's grandmother"
Barbara has 17 grandchildren and another 4 grandchildren, but she actually gave herself the nickname of "everybody's grandmother" during the 1988 campaign cycle.

George Bush and Barbara Bush
George Bush and Barbara Bush


5) She was the first first lady to throw out a first pitch at a major league baseball game
Her son George W. Bush was a minority owner in the Texas Rangers when she achieved the accomplishment. She then went on to become a pro at throwing the first ball from the mounding, offering her ceremonial services for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Mets, and Pirates games 1985, 1989, 1990, 2004, or 2005.

First lady Barbara Bush throws out the first pitch before the start of the Texas Rangers game against the New York Yankees in Arlington, Texas, May 5, 1989. Mrs. Bush's son, George W. Bush, is an owner of the Texas Rangers. (AP Photo/Bill Janscha)
First lady Barbara Bush throws out the first pitch before the start of the Texas Rangers game against the New York Yankees in Arlington, Texas, May 5, 1989. Mrs. Bush's son, George W. Bush, is an owner of the Texas Rangers. (AP Photo/Bill Janscha)


6) She has a strong interest in literacy and loves to read
After finding out her son Neil was diagnosed with dyslexia, Barbara Bush developed a deep, life-long interest in the importance of reading throughout the American society and created the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She continued to champion the cause throughout her stay in the White House, focusing on improving literacy rates not just for children but for illiterate adults as well.

First lady Barbara Bush reads to children in Washington, D.C., June 23, 1992, as she launched "Summer Quest '92", the free summer reading program sponsored by libraries across the Washington region. Summer Quest is coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and last year brought more than 56,000 children into area public libraries. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson)


7) She posed with her dog in her official portrait
Barbara had a small picture of first dog Millie next to her when she sat for her official White House portrait. She also wrote a book about the beloved little pet, called "Millie's Book," which describes a day in the life of the family from Millie's perspective, "discussing morning briefings, deliberations in the Oval Office, and short breaks for squirrel hunting."

Barbara Bush Portrait
Barbara Bush Portrait


8) She met her husband when she was 16 years old
According to her memoirs, the future first lady met her future husband and president at a Christmas school dance. She went home and wrote in her diary about having met the "nicest, cutest boy."

George Bush 1945
George Bush 1945


9) She gave the 1990 commencement address at Wellesley with Raisa Gorbachev, wife of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev
Her husband was vice president when then-President Ronald Reagan challenged Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall," and just three years later she and Mikhail's wife Raisa Gorbachev spoke together to the graduates of the Wellesley. The highly-anticipated address was broadcast live on many major TV networks.

Barbara Bush Finland 1990
Barbara Bush Finland 1990



If that wasn't Barbara Bush for you, click through the gallery below to see the former First Lady through the years! And again, Happy Birthday, Barbara!


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