Jenna Bush Hager Says George W. Bush Is 'Doing Great' as She Recalls How They Spent the Last Eclipse (Exclusive)

Bush Hager was missing her loved ones — including her father and late grandparents — during the 2024 solar eclipse, telling PEOPLE that the last eclipse turned into a family affair

Jenna Bush Hager offered an update on her father, former President George W. Bush, as he maintains a relatively low profile in Texas.

During a solar eclipse viewing party at New York City's American Museum of Natural History on April 8, the Today co-host told PEOPLE that her father, 77, is "doing great."

Related: Jenna Bush Hager Reveals Father George W. Bush Underwent Back Surgery Before Bouncing World Series Pitch

Thinking about her dad — who was not at the event — Bush Hager, 42, took a moment to reminisce on how she and the former president celebrated the previous solar eclipse nearly seven years ago.

"I watched the last eclipse in 2017 with he and my baby kids and my grandparents," she said. "So I'm missing all of them today."

At the time, Bush Hager's daughters Mila and Poppy were just 4 and 2 years old. Her grandparents, former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, died the following year before the birth of her son, Hal, in 2019.

In November, Bush Hager revealed on Today with Hoda & Jenna that her dad underwent back surgery in 2023, potentially explaining why he bounced the ceremonial first pitch at the World Series opener in October.

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A spokesperson for President Bush soon confirmed the procedure to PEOPLE.

"President Bush isn't one to make excuses, but that's true — he did have fusion surgery on his lower back early this year," the spokesperson said at the time. "He continues to recover well and in fact is looking forward to riding mountain bikes with wounded warriors at his ranch on Veterans Day weekend."

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