George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009, leading the country through some of its most turbulent times in modern history.
Born into a powerful political family, he followed in the footsteps of his father, George H.W. Bush, and rose from the governorship of Texas to the highest office in the nation.
His presidency was defined by the September 11 attacks, the War on Terror, the Iraq War, and the 2008 financial crisis, as well as significant domestic policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
While his leadership during crises earned him both praise and criticism, his legacy remains a subject of ongoing debate. Beyond politics, Bush’s post-presidential life has taken an unexpected turn, as he has dedicated himself to painting and philanthropy.
The following sections explore key facts about his life, career, and impact on the United States.
George W. Bush Facts
1. Born into a Political Family.
George Walker Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut. He came from a prominent political family. His father, George H.W. Bush, served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993, and his grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.
Also Read: George W. Bush Timeline
His mother, Barbara Bush, was one of only two women in American history to be both a First Lady and the mother of a president. Growing up, Bush spent much of his youth in Texas, where his father built a successful oil business and later entered politics. His family’s legacy placed him in the national spotlight long before he launched his own political career.
2. Governor of Texas.
Before ascending to the presidency, George W. Bush served as the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. He defeated Democratic incumbent Ann Richards in 1994, running on a platform of education reform, tax cuts, and criminal justice policies.
As governor, he emphasized bipartisan cooperation, working with both parties to pass legislation on school accountability, tort reform, and crime reduction.
Also Read: Accomplishments of George W. Bush
He also implemented property tax reductions and increased funding for education, earning a reputation as a compassionate conservative. His leadership in Texas helped propel him to national recognition and strengthened his appeal as a presidential candidate.
3. Won the 2000 Presidential Election After a Controversial Recount.
The 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was one of the closest and most controversial in U.S. history.
On election night, the state of Florida became the decisive battleground, with the outcome hinging on just a few hundred votes. A recount was ordered, but legal battles ensued over how the ballots should be counted.
The case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in Bush v. Gore that the Florida recount must end, effectively awarding Bush the presidency. He won the Electoral College with 271 votes to Gore’s 266, despite losing the popular vote by about 500,000 votes.
The election remains a defining moment in modern American politics, with lasting debates about election integrity and the role of the Supreme Court.
4. President During the 9/11 Attacks.
On September 11, 2001, terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon, and another in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.
The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. Bush was visiting an elementary school in Florida when he was informed of the attacks. That evening, he addressed the nation, vowing to hunt down those responsible.
In response, his administration launched the War on Terror, sending U.S. forces to Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power. His leadership during this crisis defined much of his presidency and reshaped U.S. foreign policy for years to come.
5. Launched the Iraq War in 2003.
In March 2003, the Bush administration launched the invasion of Iraq, citing concerns that Saddam Hussein possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and posed a threat to global security.
The war was part of a broader strategy in the War on Terror, with Bush arguing that removing Saddam’s regime would help prevent future terrorist attacks. While the invasion quickly toppled Saddam, no WMDs were ever found, leading to intense criticism of the administration’s justification for war.
The conflict turned into a prolonged insurgency, costing the U.S. thousands of lives and over $2 trillion. Despite the controversy, Bush maintained that the world was safer without Saddam in power, though the war remains one of the most debated aspects of his presidency.
6. Created the Department of Homeland Security.
Following the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration took sweeping measures to enhance national security. One of the most significant actions was the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2002, which consolidated 22 federal agencies under one department. Its goal was to coordinate efforts against terrorism, improve border security, and respond to national emergencies.
Alongside this, Bush signed the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded government surveillance powers to detect and prevent terrorist activities.
While these measures were praised for strengthening national security, they also sparked concerns over civil liberties, privacy, and government overreach. The DHS remains one of the most lasting institutional changes from Bush’s presidency.
7. Signed the No Child Left Behind Act.
One of Bush’s signature domestic policies was the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), passed in 2002. This legislation aimed to improve public education by increasing accountability for schools, setting standardized testing requirements, and providing federal funding for underperforming schools.
Bush promoted the act as a way to close the achievement gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. However, NCLB faced criticism for placing too much emphasis on standardized testing and leading to unintended consequences, such as schools “teaching to the test” rather than focusing on broader educational development. Despite its mixed legacy, the law significantly shaped education policy throughout the 2000s.
8. Faced Criticism for His Response to Hurricane Katrina.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, devastating New Orleans and surrounding areas. The federal government’s response was widely criticized as slow and ineffective, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
Thousands of residents were stranded without food, water, or medical assistance, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was accused of poor coordination. Bush initially praised FEMA’s efforts, but his administration was later faulted for failing to act quickly enough.
Images of stranded residents and overwhelmed emergency responders damaged Bush’s approval ratings and led to broader debates about disaster preparedness and government responsibility.
9. Oversaw the 2008 Financial Crisis.
In 2008, during Bush’s final year in office, the U.S. faced its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The collapse of major financial institutions, triggered by risky lending practices and the bursting of the housing bubble, led to a global economic downturn.
In response, Bush’s administration launched the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), a $700 billion bailout aimed at stabilizing banks and preventing a total economic collapse.
While the bailout was controversial, many economists believe it helped prevent a deeper recession. The financial crisis significantly impacted the 2008 presidential election, contributing to Barack Obama’s victory over Republican candidate John McCain.
10. Became a Painter After Leaving Office.
After leaving the White House in 2009, George W. Bush largely withdrew from public life and took up painting as a hobby.
He began painting portraits of world leaders, U.S. soldiers, and even his own pets. In 2017, he published a book titled “Portraits of Courage”, which featured paintings of American veterans, honoring their service and sacrifices.
His art has been displayed in galleries and received positive reviews for its sincerity and personal touch. Bush’s post-presidency has been notably low-key, focusing on philanthropy, veterans’ issues, and his newfound passion for art.