The Tragic Details About The Bush Twins: A Look at the Struggles and Resilience of Jenna and Barbara Bush

The Bush twins, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, have been in the public eye for most of their lives. As daughters of former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, they were thrust into the limelight from a young age. Growing up as part of an American political dynasty, they have experienced both the privileges and the hardships that come with such public scrutiny. While they’ve lived lives filled with opportunities, their personal stories are also marked by deep tragedies, personal struggles, and moments of growth. From their challenges with body image to dealing with the loss of loved ones, Jenna and Barbara have had to endure more than most could imagine. Here, we take a closer look at some of the most poignant moments in their lives.

Jenna Bush Hager’s Struggle With Body Image

As viewers of Today know, Jenna Bush Hager has always been open about her struggles with body image. She has discussed how, from a very young age, she became obsessed with her weight. In an emotional 2019 segment on Today, Jenna recalled finding an entry in her childhood journal in which she expressed her desire to lose four pounds. The journal entry, written in first grade, revealed the beginning of what would become a lifelong battle with self-esteem.

“I could barely write, and I certainly couldn’t spell, and my New Year’s resolution was to lose 4 lbs.,” she shared. The moment revealed just how early in her life the pressures of body image began to weigh on her. Jenna also recounted an incident in middle school when a boyfriend broke up with her after seeing her in a swimsuit, an experience that deeply scarred her at the time.

As she grew older, Jenna continued to wrestle with these feelings, though she has worked hard to overcome them. Today, she is open about her journey, sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way. Her transparency has helped countless others who struggle with similar issues, offering a voice of empathy and understanding.

The Bush Twins’ Reaction to Their Father’s Presidential Run

One of the most difficult moments in the Bush twins’ lives came when their father, George W. Bush, decided to run for president in the late 1990s. At just 16 years old, Jenna and Barbara were told by their father that he was going to enter the presidential race. Rather than excitement, their response was one of fear and anxiety. “We broke out in tears,” Jenna recalled during an interview. “As only twins can do, we cried in unison! We said, ‘No, you’re going to ruin our lives, dad.’”

Their concerns were valid. The campaign would take their father away from home for long stretches of time, thrusting them into the public spotlight in ways they had never imagined. At the time, they also doubted their father’s chances of success. “We said, ‘You’ll never win, dad,’” Jenna shared, recalling their youthful skepticism. However, George W. Bush did win, and the twins quickly realized that their lives would never be the same. Looking back, they both apologized for their reactions, acknowledging how their father’s victory changed their lives forever.

Barbara Bush’s Experience With High School Bullying

While Jenna may have struggled with body image issues, Barbara faced a different form of bullying—one related to her last name. Growing up as the granddaughter of former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, Barbara was constantly reminded of her famous family, often in a negative way. “Imagine going to a big public high school, and they’d be like, ‘Barbara Bush!’” Jenna explained during a 2025 interview. “They’d be like, ‘Yo, Barbara Bush,’ and everybody laughed. And so she was embarrassed.”

In fact, the bullying was so relentless that Barbara couldn’t even order fast food without being mocked. “She would call and she had a little sweet voice, too, and she’d call Domino’s to order pizza, and they would think that she was pranking,” Jenna added. Despite these challenges, Barbara eventually grew into her name, and after the death of her grandmother, Barbara started to appreciate the legacy her name represented.

Jenna Bush Hager’s Regret Over College Life

Jenna Bush Hager, in her typical open and honest manner, has also reflected on her college years and her relationship with her husband, Henry Chase Hager. In a 2025 interview, she admitted that she wished she had enjoyed more freedom during her time at the University of Texas. While Jenna has always been grateful for her relationship with Henry, she confessed that she felt restricted by the presence of Secret Service agents who were tasked with protecting her as the daughter of the president.

“I wish in college—I knew, I loved him,” Jenna said, referring to her husband. “But I just mean in college, I felt a little restricted by Secret Service men, if I’m really honest.” Despite her feelings of restriction, Jenna recognizes how lucky she was to meet her partner early in life, and she treasures their relationship.

Barbara Bush’s Unfair Treatment From Teachers

Barbara’s time in school was marked by an even more troubling incident involving a teacher. During her time at Yale, she met with a teaching assistant to discuss her grades. The teacher, however, used the opportunity to try to leverage her father’s political position. “I went to meet with one of my T.A.’s at Yale… she said to me, ‘I’ll give you an A if your dad doesn’t go to war in Iraq,’” Barbara revealed in an interview. This inappropriate offer made Barbara feel uncomfortable, but it also gave her an important life lesson about the way power can be misused.

The Bush Twins’ Legal Troubles and Car Accidents

The Bush twins were not immune to the usual teenage antics and troubles. In fact, both Jenna and Barbara found themselves on the wrong side of the law during their younger years. Jenna was arrested for underage drinking twice within the span of a month in 2001, an incident that led to community service and probation. However, this was far from the last time the twins found themselves in trouble. Both sisters were involved in a combined total of 13 car accidents in the year after they received their drivers’ licenses, an event that Jenna candidly admitted to in a Today interview.

“My first year of driving, I had a little impulse control issue,” she said, laughing about the accidents. “I would just put it on, get in the car, speed back, without ever looking back.” These incidents were embarrassing at the time but were ultimately learning experiences for the Bush twins as they navigated the complexities of growing up under public scrutiny.

The Heartbreaking Loss of Three Grandparents

The Bush twins faced an even more personal tragedy when they lost three of their grandparents within just a little over a year. First, their maternal grandmother, Jenna Hawkins, passed away in 2019, just shy of her 100th birthday. Then, in 2018, Barbara Bush, the former First Lady, passed away at the age of 92. The final blow came when their paternal grandfather, George H.W. Bush, passed away in 2018 as well.

Jenna, reflecting on the loss of her grandfather, shared that she had just found out she was pregnant with her third child, Hal, when George H.W. Bush passed away. “But I think they’re always whispering to me,” Jenna said emotionally. “As long as I’m alive, my grandparents will not be forgotten.”

Conclusion: The Resilience of the Bush Twins

The lives of Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush have been marked by a unique combination of privilege, tragedy, and resilience. As daughters of a president, their personal lives have often been thrust into the public eye, but they have continued to persevere through life’s difficulties with grace and strength. From the loss of their grandparents to their personal struggles with body image and legal issues, the Bush twins have weathered more than most, proving time and again that even in the face of adversity, they remain strong, compassionate, and dedicated to their family.

In their shared memoir, Sisters First, and their public lives, Jenna and Barbara continue to inspire with their ability to overcome hardships and embrace the lessons learned along the way. Despite the public scrutiny, the heartache, and the growing pains of growing up in a political family, the Bush twins have become symbols of resilience and the power of family. Their journey is one of strength, love, and unwavering commitment to those they hold dear.