George H.W. and Barbara Bush's love story proves that love truly conquers all
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
George H.W. and Barbara Bush's love story proves that love truly conquers all.
The former first couple had been together for nearly 80 years and was the longest-married couple in presidential history. Their fairytale love story started when George H.W., who was 16 at the time, met Barbara at a dance when she was home from boarding school.
After carrying on a long-distance relationship for quite some time, they got engaged before George left for World War II to serve as a naval pilot. A letter George wrote in 1943 on the day of their engagement was recently made public, and the words say it all:
"I love you, precious, with all my heart and to know that you love me means my life. How often I have thought about the immeasurable joy that will be ours someday," he wrote. "Goodnite, my beautiful. Every time I say beautiful, you about kill me, but you'll have to accept it."
See photos of George H.W. and Barbara Bush through the years:
George and Barbara finally tied the knot, two years later, in Rye, New York, on January 6, 1945.
Over the span of 13 years, George and Barbara would have six children. Their eldest, a son named George, was born just a year after they tied the knot -- and he would end up following in his father's footsteps as the president of the United States. They also had a daughter named Pauline, who died at the age 3 of Leukemia in 1953.
George began his political career in 1964 as the chairman of the Republican Party for Texas' Harris County. He then rose through the ranks, starting out as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, chair of the Republican National Committee and then eventually becoming the 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
And through it all, Barbara was by his side as his biggest supporter.
See photos of Barbara Bush as first lady:
This past weekend, the former president passed away at the age of 94, just 8 months after Barbara passed away.
But despite the tragic circumstances, Barbara and George's love will endure the test of time. In a recent interview, Barbara revealed that even after nearly eight decades together, the spark was still alive:
"I am still old and still in love with the man I married 72 years ago."
For a look back on their relationship, click through the slideshow above.
