Just one day after laying his wife of 73 years to rest, George H.W. Bush is in intensive care.
A spokesman for the former President named Jim McGrath said in a statement that the 93-year, “was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital yesterday morning after contracting an infection that spread to his blood.”
Continues this update:
“He is responding to treatments and appears to be recovering. We will issue additional updated as events warrant.”
The troubling news of the 41st president’s hospitalization has been made public just two days after the funeral of Barbara Bush, an dvent that took place on April 21 and which was attended by members of the Bush family, Melania Trump, Barack and Michelle Obama.
President Donald Trump chose not to pay his respects in person.
The funeral took place on the grounds of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
Mrs. Bush, one of the most respected First Ladies of her era, died last week at the age of 92 after being placed in hospice care.
Said her husband of over seven decades after his wife passed away:
“I always knew Barbara was the most beloved woman in the world, and in fact I used to tease her that I had a complex about that fact.
"But the truth is the outpouring of love and friendship being directed at The Enforcer is lifting us all up.
"We have faith she is in heaven, and we know life will go on – as she would have it. So cross the Bushes off your worry list.”
Barbara Bush also left behind her brother, Scott Pierce, 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Tweeted McGrath prior to the funeral on Saturday:
To honor his wife of 73 years and her commitment to family literacy, for which she raised over $110 million over the course of over 30 years, @GeorgeHWBush will be wearing a pair of socks festooned with books at today’s funeral service for former First Lady Barbara Bush.
The elder George Bush, meanwhile, is the oldest living former president.
He has battled a handful of health problems over recent years.
Bush was admitted to the hospital twice last year.
In January, he ended up in the ICU for an acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia.
Three months later, he was hospitalized “for observation due to a persistent cough that prevented him from getting proper rest.”
Elsewhere, the ex-president’s longtime chief of staff, Jean Becker, said Bush is “broken-hearted” over the loss of his wife.
“So many of you are asking, ‘How is 41?’ He, of course, is broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years,” Becker wrote in a statement on Tuesday night, adding:
“He held her hand all day today and was at her side when [she] left this good earth.
Obviously, this is a very challenging time. But it will not surprise all of you who know and love him, that he also is being stoic and strong, and is being lifted up by his large and supportive family.
"He is determined to be there for them as well. He appreciates all the well wishes and support.
Our thoughts go out to this family during this challenging time.