'It was a pleasure to have met her': Celebs remember their encounters with Barbara Bush

Raechal Shewfelt
·Editor, Yahoo Entertainment
Barbara Bush at the Republican Party National Convention on Aug. 9, 1992. (Photo: Wally McNamee/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Barbara Bush at the Republican Party National Convention on Aug. 9, 1992. (Photo: Wally McNamee/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Anytime a celebrity dies, particularly someone as well known as former first lady Barbara Bush, who died Tuesday at 92, social media is flooded with thoughts and prayers from recognizable names. News about Bush was met with the same, although several messages stood out.

Actor Patrick Dempsey was quick to locate a photo he’d taken with the Bush family matriarch. “It was a pleasure to have met [her],” he captioned it.

It was a pleasure to have met. Thoughts and prayers to the Bush Family. Much beloved. She will be greatly missed.

A post shared by Patrick Dempsey (@patrickdempsey) on Apr 17, 2018 at 5:13pm PDT

Country singer Brad Paisley thanked her for her friendship.

Former CNN host Larry King also remembered Bush as “a great friend,” alongside a photo of Bush and her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, with King and his wife, Shawn King.

Former Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher lauded Bush for her philanthropic efforts, such as her Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

Amoung many, I am also mourning tonight the loss of this remarkable First Lady, who role modeled for us everyday qualities we should all strive for. A fierce commitment to her family, country and causes. Strength, compassion and such life force, and friendship and lest us not forget humor. Barbara Bush was an amazing icon. I am blessed with the rich experience of knowing her and her family. I send them much love tonight. #bekind #giveback #helpothers #love

A post shared by Teri Hatcher (@officialterihatcher) on Apr 17, 2018 at 8:44pm PDT

Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt also befriended Bush through her charity work, specifically her efforts at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation.

The love and respect for Bush crossed party lines. Although many politicians gave statements, former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, noted in his statement that he came to know Bush better as he and her Republican son, former President George W. Bush, became friends. “Barbara joked that George and I spent so much time together,” he said, “I had become almost a member of the family, the ‘black sheep’ that had gone astray.”

Maria Shriver, a member of another prominent family in American politics, the Kennedys, shared a photo of Bush with several other first ladies.

Barbara Bush served her country with class. She served her family with love and compassion. I’m grateful I knew her. And as an American, I’m grateful for her service. My heart goes out to her husband, children, great-grandchildren and the entire crew. A life beautifully lived. @barbarakinney

A post shared by Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) on Apr 17, 2018 at 5:01pm PDT

Real Housewives of New York City star Carole Radziwill, who has ties to the Kennedys because her mother-in-law is Lee Radziwill, the late Jackie Kennedy’s sister, said she had a warm encounter with Bush as a “young girl working at ABC News.”

I was lucky to have met First Lady Barbara Bush as a young girl working at ABC News. She was warm, elegant, and intelligent. An extraordinary life and lady. It could not have been easy. #firstlady #RIP #92

A post shared by Carole Radziwill (@caroleradziwill) on Apr 18, 2018 at 12:02am PDT

Radziwill’s message summed up what all the notes from celebrities who’d encountered Bush over the years seemed to say: She was extraordinary, even among the famous.

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