George H.W. Bush (1924-2018)
41st President of the United States (1989-1993)
He was preceded in the Presidency by Ronald Reagan under whom he served for two straight terms as Vice-President. After serving one term in office for the Republican Party with Dan Quayle as his Vice-President, he was defeated in the 1992 Presidential election by Bill Clinton who after serving two terms was succeeded by Bush's son, George W. Bush. George, Sr. was born into a prominent family, his father was a U.S. Senator from Connecticut while his maternal grandfather for whom he was named, George Herbert Walker, was a banker who sponsored the Walker Cup golf tournament. Immediately after graduating from Phillip's Academy, Andover, he enlisted to fight as a naval aviator in World War II, becoming one of the youngest pilots, aged just eighteen. His plane was shot down in 1944 and while he survived, both his crew members were killed, prompting him to ask, "why had I been spared and what did God have for me?"
After graduating from Yale (1948), he moved to Texas and co-founded the Zapata Petroleum Corporation which netted him a cool million dollars when he sold his stock in the mid-60s. He entered politics in 1963 and served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1967-71). Although he lost Senate races in 1964 and 1970, his career continued to flourish. He was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations (1971-73), Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China (1974-75), and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1976-77). These key positions established him as an expert on foreign policy and paved the way for higher office. In 1980, after an unsuccessful presidential campaign, he became Ronald Reagan's running mate and served as his Vice-President for eight years. He won the presidency in 1988, defeating Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis.
Bush presided over a period of dramatic global change. His presidency was largely defined by his foreign policy achievements during the end of the Cold War era. He skilfully oversaw the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union (combined with signing arms reduction treaties) and German reunification, maintaining stability throughout both of those historic transitions. He also assembled and led a broad international coalition in the Gulf War (1991) - one of the most popular military conflicts in modern American history - successfully expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait with minimal allied casualties.
Domestically, Bush faced significant economic challenges. He signed important legislation including the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and updates to the Clean Air Act, however, his perceived focus on foreign affairs began to take its toll. A recession that began in 1990 contributed to rising unemployment and budget deficits, undermining his popularity. His decision to break his famous "no new taxes" pledge from the 1988 campaign, while fiscally responsible, proved politically damaging. Angering many conservative supporters, it directly contributed to his defeat in the 1992 election.
Despite losing the presidency, Bush is generally remembered as a capable foreign policy president who helped navigate America through the post-Cold War transition with steady, experienced leadership. He was known for his diplomatic skills, internationalist approach to foreign policy, and his unswerving commitment to public service. In retirement, he particularly valued the summers spent with his beloved wife, Barbara Bush, and their family at the Bush Compound in Kennebunkport. He died in Houston at the age of 94.
Bush presided over a period of dramatic global change. His presidency was largely defined by his foreign policy achievements during the end of the Cold War era. He skilfully oversaw the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union (combined with signing arms reduction treaties) and German reunification, maintaining stability throughout both of those historic transitions. He also assembled and led a broad international coalition in the Gulf War (1991) - one of the most popular military conflicts in modern American history - successfully expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait with minimal allied casualties.
Domestically, Bush faced significant economic challenges. He signed important legislation including the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and updates to the Clean Air Act, however, his perceived focus on foreign affairs began to take its toll. A recession that began in 1990 contributed to rising unemployment and budget deficits, undermining his popularity. His decision to break his famous "no new taxes" pledge from the 1988 campaign, while fiscally responsible, proved politically damaging. Angering many conservative supporters, it directly contributed to his defeat in the 1992 election.
Despite losing the presidency, Bush is generally remembered as a capable foreign policy president who helped navigate America through the post-Cold War transition with steady, experienced leadership. He was known for his diplomatic skills, internationalist approach to foreign policy, and his unswerving commitment to public service. In retirement, he particularly valued the summers spent with his beloved wife, Barbara Bush, and their family at the Bush Compound in Kennebunkport. He died in Houston at the age of 94.
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