According to ABC News, the news of George H.W. Bush's death was announced by his family via Twitter on Friday, November 30. The source reports the former president had fought illness for decades and his health was in constant decline over the years. They also report that George H. W. Bush died at age 94, after enduring this prolonged battle with his health. Reportedly, Bush began having complications in 1991, when a doctor diagnosed him with Graves disease — a thyroid illness.
Likewise, George H.W. Bush's health continued enduring issues as he encountered an irregular heartbeat in 2000 and was admitted into a hospital for a night. Then, in 2012, Bush's heart wasn't the problem, but it was his lungs this time. According to ABC News, the former president was reportedly hospitalized with bronchitis, a chronic cough, and high fever.
The source states Bush's hospitalization continued throughout the Christmas holidays that year. And in 2017, as ABC mentions, Bush's health took another shot when he was taken into the intensive care unit at Houston Methodist Hospital for an "acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia."
Words from son, George W. Bush
The United States' 43rd president had lasting comments about Bush's death.
"Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," ABC News reports was the official statement from George W. Bush regarding his father's death. George W. said his father was a man of "highest character" and "the best dad." The entire Bush family is feeling the sting of his death, but they're remembering him greatly during this time.
CNN reports that Jim McGrath released a statement saying George Bush's funeral announcements will come at a later time. The former president is survived by George W. Bush (son); former Florida governor Jeb Bush (son); Neil and Marvin (sons); Dorothy (daughter); as well as 17 grandchildren.
Preceding her husband, former First Lady Barbara Bush — his wife of 73 years — died in April.
George H. W. Bush attended her funeral in a wheelchair. His family stated that his health had deteriorated so badly, he could no longer walk without assistance.
"He, of course, is broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years," George Bush's office reportedly stated after former First Lady Bush's death, according to ABC News. "He held her hand all day and was at her side when [she] left this good earth."