Inside the ‘storybook’ marriage of Barbara and George HW Bush — who were married longer than any first couple, and still said ‘I love you’ every night Part 1

By Pat Ralph from Business Insider

Former first lady Barbara Bush died on Tuesday at age 92.

She had been battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and congestive heart failure, and was hospitalized several times over the last year.

Bush, who resided in the White House for four years while her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, served as Commander in Chief, had been married to the 41st president of the United States for 73 years.

Described as a true love story, here is an inside look at the longest marriage in US presidential history:

Barbara has described her and her husband as “the two luckiest people in the world, and when all the dust is settled and all the crowds are gone, the things that matter are faith, family and friends. We have been inordinately blessed, and we know that.”
MediaPunch
Source: Associated Press

“I have climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, but even that cannot hold a candle to being Barbara’s husband,” George once wrote.

The two are known for being huge sports fans, and have been frequent spectators at Houston Astros games. AP
Source: Associated Press

He gives Barbara all the credit when it came to raising their children. George described her as
Barbara Bush, former first lady of the US, greets her son George Walker Bush with a kiss and a hug on October 26, 1994. REUTERS

They have weathered some hardships. When allegations surfaced in October 2017 of George inappropriately touching women, their office released a statement saying he “patted women’s rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner” and apologized to “anyone he has offended.”

George has been confined to a wheelchair for the last five years. AP
Source: Business Insider

When their daughter Robin had cancer, George was too upset to visit her. Barbara refused to let anyone cry in front of Robin and remained with her at the hospital. George reportedly “marveled” at his wife’s strength.
AP
Source: “What It Takes”

When George served as CIA director in the 1970s, he had to keep details of his job classified, and Barbara went through a bout of depression. But George took care of her.

George is sworn in as new director of the Central Intelligence Agency by US Supreme Court Associate Justice Potter Stewart as Barbara and President Gerald R. Ford look on at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia on January 30, 1976. Barry Soorenko / CNP /MediaPunch/IPX
Source: Associated Press

“Night after night, George held me weeping in his arms while I tried to explain my feelings,” she said. “I almost wonder why he didn’t leave me.”

George and Barbara Bush attend the christening ceremony for the USS George H.W. Bush, October 2006. Eric Draper
Source: Associated Press

He has described their love as a “storybook.” Every night before the couple went to sleep, to the end, George still said “I love you, Barbie.”
AP
Sources: Jenna Bush, Associated Press

In a recent interview, Barbara said having a good husband is key to living a long life. “George Bush has given me the world. He is the best — thoughtful and loving,” she said. “I am still old and still in love with the man I married 72 years ago.”
AP
Source: Smith Alumnae Quarterly

She told C-SPAN in 2013 that she and George pray aloud each night and sometimes
George and Barbara Bush in 2000 Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Source: Associated Press

Barbara said she didn’t fear death for herself or “my precious George.””I know there is a great God, and I’m not worried.”

Former first lady Mrs. Barbara Bush listens to her son, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, at a campaign event February 19, 2016 in Greenville, South Carolina. Sean Rayford/Getty Images

For more on this story go to: http://www.businessinsider.com/barbara-george-bush-marriage-secrets-photos-2018-4#barbara-said-she-didnt-fear-death-for-herself-or-my-precious-georgei-know-there-is-a-great-god-and-im-not-worried-23