Laura Bush

Laura Lane Welch Bush (née Welch; born November 4, 1946) is an American educator who was the first lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009 as the wife of George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States. Bush was also the first lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000 when her husband was governor.
Born in Midland, Texas, Bush graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in education, and took a job as a second grade teacher. After attaining her master's degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin, she was employed as a librarian. Bush met her future husband, George W. Bush, in 1977, and they were married later that year. The couple had twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna in 1981. Bush's political involvement began during her marriage. She campaigned with her husband during his unsuccessful 1978 run for the United States Congress, and later for his successful Texas gubernatorial campaign.
As First Lady of Texas, Bush implemented many initiatives focused on health, education, and literacy. From 1999 to 2000, she aided her husband in campaigning for the presidency in several ways, such as delivering a prominent address at the 2000 Republican National Convention, which gained her national attention. She became first lady after her husband was inaugurated as president on January 20, 2001.
Polled by the Gallup Organization as one of the most popular first ladies, Bush was involved in national and global concerns during her tenure. She continued to advance her trademark interests of education and literacy by establishing the annual National Book Festival in 2001. She encouraged education on a worldwide scale. She also advanced women's causes through the Heart Truth and Susan G. Komen for the Cure organizations. She represented the United States during her foreign trips, which tended to focus on HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness.

Born, in its opening lines

November 4, 1946

From the Wikipedia article “Laura Bush” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Bush), by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Copied November 13, 2026; not changed.

Described as

First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009

Other names

Laura Lane Welch, Laura Welch, Laura Welch Bush, Laura Lane Welch Bush

Born

November 4, 1946 · 7 references

Born in

Midland

Name at birth

Laura Lane Welch

Citizen of

United States · 1 reference

Occupation

librarian · 1 reference; teacher · 1 reference; autobiographer; children's writer; writer; politician; HIV/AIDS activist; president · 1 reference

Positions held

First Lady of the United States (2001–2009)

Political party

Republican Party

Education

Southern Methodist University; University of Texas at Austin; Robert E. Lee High School · 1 reference

Member of

Daughters of the American Revolution

Awards

The Nichols-Chancellor's Medal; Library of Congress Living Legend (2008–) · 1 reference

Spouse

George W. Bush (1977–) · 1 reference

Children

Barbara Bush; Jenna Bush Hager · 1 reference

Father

Harold Welch

Mother

Jenna Welch

Religion

United Methodist Church

Wikipedias with a page

95

Wikidata item Q152019 (wikidata.org/wiki/Q152019), public domain (CC0). Copied November 14, 2026.