Barbara Bush 1925-2018
A look back at the life of the former first lady – wife of the 41st President of the United States and mother of the 43rd.
In this photo, former first lady Barbara Bush listens to her son, President George W. Bush, as he speaks at an event on social security reform in Orlando, Florida, March 18, 2005.
Barbara Pierce
Barbara Pierce, age 7.
Born on June, 8, 1925 in New York City, Barbara Pierce was the third of four children of Marvin Pierce, president of the magazine publishing company McCall, and Pauline Robinson Pierce, whose father was an Ohio State Supreme Court Associate Justice.
Young couple
Barbara Pierce is pictured with George Herbert Walker Bush and George's youngest brother, Bucky, c. 1942.
She met Bush, who was then a senior at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., at a 1941 Christmas dance. She would be his date at his senior prom.
Barbara Pierce
Barbara Pierce at Mansuring Beach Club in Rye, N.Y., 1943.
In 1943 she graduated from Ashley Hall boarding school in Charleston, S.C., and entered Smith College in Northampton, Mass.
Barbara Pierce
A studio portrait, c. 1944.
Wedding picture
Barbara Pierce left college following her freshman year, and married George Bush, then a Navy torpedo bomber pilot, while he was home on leave, in Rye, N.Y., January 6, 1945.
Wedding day
Barbara Bush with her parents on her wedding day, in Rye, N.Y., January 6, 1945.
The bride
A bridal portrait of Barbara Pierce Bush, January 6, 1945.
Family
George and Barbara Bush with their first two children, George W. and Pauline ("Robin"), at the rodeo grounds in Midland, Texas, October 1950. They would have four more children: John ("Jeb"), Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy ("Doro").
Robin died of leukemia at age 3.
Campaign trail
George Herbert Walker Bush poses with his wife Barbara during his campaign for Congress in the 1960s.
Their settled life in Texas, where George Bush had worked in the oil industry, changed when he was elected to Congress in 1966. The family headed to Washington, D.C. - one of 29 moves that Barbara organized during their marriage, including one to Beijing, when he represented the U.S. as an envoy to China.
United Nations
An undated photo of George and Barbara Bush during his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (1971-73).
China mission
George and Barbara Bush are photographed in Beijing in 1974, when Bush served as the American Special Envoy to China.
China
Barbara Bush in China in early 1976.
China
George and Barbara Bush in China (c. 1974-76).
CIA swearing in
Barbara Bush watches as George H.W. Bush is sworn in as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, January 30, 1976, in Washington.
1980 Republican convention
Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan and his running mate George H.W. Bush are shown on the podium of Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, July 17, 1980, with Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush.
Houston
Vice President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush in Houston, November 1, 1987.
Kennebunkport
Barbara Bush cooks for her family at their home at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine, August 7, 1988.
Kennebunkport
Vice President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine, August 6, 1988.
Inauguration
President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan, depart the Inauguration ceremony of his successor, President George H.W. Bush, and new first lady Barbara Bush on the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C., January 20, 1989. President Bush was sworn in as the nation's 41st president.
Inaugural ball
President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush attend inaugural festivities on January 20, 1989.
Marine One
President George H.W. Bush, first lady Barbara Bush and dog Millie leave Marine One, March 12, 1989.
As first lady Barbara would use her position to champion literacy to help improve society. She enjoyed enormous popularity, surpassing her husband's in public opinion polls.
Kennebunkport
President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush with Millie at Walker's Point, Kennebunkport, Maine, August 18, 1989.
Visiting patients
First lady Barbara Bush and Millie visit residents of Bethesda Retirement and Nursing Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, February 27, 1990.
First lady and Millie
First lady Barbara Bush with Millie, April 10, 1990. That year she published "Millie's Book," giving a dog's-eye view of life in the White House.
Easter
First lady Barbara Bush, with entertainers Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop, greet Easter visitors in the White House's China Room, April 16, 1990.
Presidential pets
President George H. W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush are greeted at the White House by their dogs Ranger and Millie, Nov. 6, 1990, in Washington, D.C.
Former first ladies
Former first ladies pose with first lady Barbara Bush on November 4, 1991. From left to right, seated: Lady Bird Johnson, widow of Lyndon Johnson; Pat Nixon, wife of Richard Nixon; Rosalynn Carter, wife of Jimmy Carter; and Betty Ford, wife of Gerald Ford. Standing with Mrs. Bush is Nancy Reagan, wife of Ronald Reagan.
Republican National Convention
President George H.W. Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle stand with their wives, Marilyn Quayle and first lady Barbara Bush, on the podium at the 1992 Republican National Convention.
George Bush Presidential Library
Former President George Bush kisses his wife Barbara on November 6, 1997, as the Rev. Billy Graham looks on, at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony of the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.
Father and son
President George W. Bush's chief photographer Eric Draper caught Barbara Bush snapping a picture of the two President Bushes on Jan. 28, 2001. "One thing I learned right off the bat," Draper said, "is that when you say, 'Mr. President,' they both turn around."
Bush family portrait
President George W. Bush, first lady Laura Bush, former first lady Barbara Bush and former President George H.W. Bush sit surrounded by family in the Red Room of the White House January 6, 2005. Friends and family joined former President Bush and Barbara Bush in celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary at a dinner.
Also pictured: (From left) Georgia Grace Koch, Margaret Bush, Walker Bush, Marvin Bush, Jenna Bush, Doro Koch, Barbara Bush, Robert P. Koch, Pierce M. Bush, Maria Bush, Neil Bush, Ashley Bush, Sam LeBlond, Robert Koch, Nancy Ellis LeBlond, John Ellis Bush, Jr., Florida Gov. John Ellis "Jeb" Bush, Mandi Bush, George P. Bush, and Columba Bush.
Son's inaugural ball
Former President George H. W. Bush jokes with his wife Barbara Bush during the Commander-In-Chief Ball January 20, 2005 in Washington, D.C. Their son George W. Bush was sworn in earlier in that day to serve his second term as President of the United States.
Disaster relief
Former President George Bush and his wife Barbara visit with Hurricane Katrina evacuees in the Reliant Center adjacent to the Astrodome in Houston, September 5, 2005.
George W. Bush Presidential Library
President Barack Obama shares a laugh with former first lady Barbara Bush at the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas on April 25, 2013.
Campaigner
In February 2016 Barbara Bush campaigned for her son, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, before the Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire.
First lady
Former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush died on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at her home in Houston. She was 92.
Edited by CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan