
Former US President George H.W. Bush was hospitalized several times in his later years. Bush, who was the oldest living former commander-in-chief, suffered from a variety of health issues, including vascular Parkinsonism, bronchitis, and respiratory ailments. He was first admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital in 2012 for complications related to bronchitis. In 2014, he was hospitalized for seven weeks for a bacterial infection and a cough. Bush's final hospitalization was in 2018, shortly after the death of his wife, Barbara. He was admitted to the intensive care unit for an infection that had spread to his bloodstream but was eventually stabilized and released. Bush died later that year, and his funeral was held over four days, with a national day of mourning declared by then-President Donald Trump.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | George H. W. Bush |
| Age at Death | 94 |
| Year of Death | 2018 |
| Date of Death | 5 December 2018 |
| Hospitalised For | Complications related to bronchitis, sepsis, low blood pressure, bacterial infection, a cough, respiratory ailments, vascular Parkinsonism, an infection that spread to his bloodstream |
| Hospital Name | Houston Methodist Hospital, The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center |
| Hospital Location | Houston, Texas |
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What You'll Learn
- George H.W. Bush was hospitalized for complications related to bronchitis in 2012
- He was admitted to intensive care in 2018 after his wife's funeral
- Bush was hospitalized for a bacterial infection and a cough in 2013
- The former president has vascular Parkinsonism and has used a wheelchair
- Bush was the oldest living former commander in chief when he died in 2018

George H.W. Bush was hospitalized for complications related to bronchitis in 2012
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush was hospitalized in 2012 for complications related to bronchitis. The 88-year-old was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, where he was treated for a bronchitis-related cough and other health issues. Bush's office released a statement at the time, confirming that the former president had been "in and out of the hospital" due to bronchitis complications.
During his 2012 hospitalization, Bush's condition initially improved, but he remained in the hospital as doctors addressed complications from other health issues. In December, he was transferred to the intensive care unit due to a persistent fever. It was also revealed that Bush was suffering from lower-body parkinsonism, which left him reliant on a wheelchair for mobility.
Despite these health challenges, Bush appeared in good spirits in July 2013, when he shaved his head in solidarity with the son of a Secret Service agent who was battling leukemia. Bush also contributed to a fund for the child's medical expenses.
In addition to his 2012 hospitalization, Bush experienced other health issues that required medical attention. In 2014, he was hospitalized again for shortness of breath. In 2015, he suffered a fall at his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, breaking a vertebra in his neck. Bush was hospitalized once more in 2017 for an acute respiratory issue stemming from pneumonia.
In April 2018, following the death of his wife Barbara, Bush was hospitalized for an infection that led to sepsis, and he was placed in intensive care. He experienced further health issues in May and November of that year, including low blood pressure and fatigue.
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He was admitted to intensive care in 2018 after his wife's funeral
Former President George H.W. Bush was admitted to intensive care in 2018, just a day after his wife Barbara's funeral. Barbara Bush, who was married to George H.W. Bush for 73 years, passed away on April 17, 2018, at the age of 92. She had reportedly suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.
The former president was 93 at the time and was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital for an infection that had spread to his bloodstream, also known as sepsis. He was in critical condition but responded well to treatment and his condition improved. Bush appeared to be recovering, and updates were promised as events warranted.
This was not the first time Bush had been hospitalised. He had been admitted to the same hospital in 2012 for complications related to bronchitis and again in 2013 for a bronchitis-related cough and other health issues. In 2014, he was rushed to hospital again, this time as a precautionary measure due to breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. On this occasion, he was kept for observation and discharged after a few weeks.
Bush suffered from a form of Parkinson's disease and had been experiencing declining health for several years. Despite this, he lived to the impressive age of 94, passing away in December 2018, just a few months after his wife. His death was described as peaceful, and he exchanged loving last words with his son, former President George W. Bush.
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Bush was hospitalized for a bacterial infection and a cough in 2013
Former US President George H. W. Bush was hospitalized in 2013 for a bacterial infection and a cough. Bush had been experiencing health issues for several years prior to his hospitalization, including a diagnosis of vascular Parkinsonism in 2012, which limited his speech and mobility. While the exact details of his bacterial infection are not publicly available, it is known that bacterial infections can be a serious complication, particularly for the elderly or immunocompromised. In some cases, they can lead to conditions such as bacterial pneumonia, which is a common occurrence after a respiratory viral infection.
In the case of President Bush, it is possible that his bacterial infection was related to his respiratory health, as he had previously been hospitalized for respiratory ailments. Indeed, bacterial respiratory infections are a common occurrence, and can be life-threatening for elderly individuals. Bush's hospitalization in 2013 may have been a precautionary measure to ensure that his bacterial infection and cough did not lead to more serious complications.
It is important to note that Bush's health continued to decline after his hospitalization in 2013, and he was hospitalized several times in the following years for various ailments. In 2018, he was hospitalized for sepsis just a day after his wife's funeral and was in critical condition. Bush's health issues also included low blood pressure, for which he was briefly admitted to a hospital in Maine in 2018.
Despite his health struggles, Bush lived to the age of 94, passing away peacefully in 2018. His death prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from former political colleagues and world leaders, including former president Jimmy Carter, who mourned the loss of a leader whose administration was "marked by grace, civility, and social conscience."
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The former president has vascular Parkinsonism and has used a wheelchair
Former US President George H.W. Bush was hospitalized numerous times in his final years. Bush was diagnosed with vascular Parkinsonism in 2012, which limited his speech and mobility. He started using a mobility scooter and, eventually, a wheelchair. Bush's son, former President George W. Bush, was seen wheeling his father into a church in Houston, Texas, in 2018.
Bush was hospitalized in 2012 for complications related to bronchitis. He was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital, where he stayed for observation due to breathing difficulties. Bush experienced shortness of breath and was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. On that occasion, he was 88 years old.
In 2013, Bush was hospitalized for almost two months and was treated for a bronchitis-related cough and other health issues. He was 90 years old at the time. Bush was again hospitalized in 2018, just a day after his wife Barbara Bush's funeral. He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Houston Methodist Hospital for an infection that had spread to his bloodstream. Bush responded well to treatment and was recovering, according to a spokesperson.
Bush's health issues continued after his release from the hospital in 2018. In May, a month before his 94th birthday, he was briefly admitted to a hospital in Maine due to low blood pressure. In late November, his health declined again, and he stopped eating and was bedridden. However, his condition improved, and he began eating and conversing with others.
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Bush was the oldest living former commander in chief when he died in 2018
Former President George H.W. Bush was hospitalized several times in the years leading up to his death in 2018. Bush was the oldest living former commander in chief at the time of his death, having served as the 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
In 2012, Bush was hospitalized for complications related to bronchitis and was treated at Houston Methodist Hospital. He was 88 years old at the time and was discharged within a few days. In 2013, Bush was again hospitalized for nearly two months, this time for a bacterial infection and a cough. He was 90 years old during this hospitalization and was discharged in January 2013.
Bush experienced a series of health issues in his final years, including vascular Parkinsonism, which limited his mobility and speech. He often used a wheelchair and was hospitalized numerous times in serious condition. In April 2018, Bush was hospitalized for an infection that had spread to his bloodstream, just a day after the funeral of his wife, Barbara Bush. Despite his treatment and initial recovery, Bush's health declined, and he passed away in November 2018 at the age of 94.
Bush's death was mourned across the nation, with former President Jimmy Carter, former vice presidents Dan Quayle and Al Gore, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner offering their condolences. President Donald Trump declared a national day of mourning, and Bush's state funeral was held over four days, with world leaders in attendance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, George H.W. Bush was hospitalized several times in the final years of his life.
Bush was hospitalized for various reasons, including respiratory issues, bacterial infections, low blood pressure, and sepsis. He also suffered from a form of Parkinson's disease.
Bush was last hospitalized in April 2018, shortly after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. He was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital for an infection that had spread to his bloodstream.
Yes, Bush initially responded well to treatment and appeared to be recovering. However, his health declined again in late November, and he passed away on November 30, 2018, at the age of 94.











































