Barbara Bush joins husband in Texas hospital as ‘precaution’

Former President George H. W. Bush and wife Barbara have been hospitalized in Texas in recent days, a family spokesperson said Wednesday. File Photo by Doug Mills/UPI/Pool

Jan. 18 (UPI) — Former first lady Barbara Bush has joined her husband, George H.W. Bush in a Houston hospital, a family spokesperson said Wednesday.

The former first couple were admitted to Methodist Hospital, where the former president has been receiving treatment for pneumonia-like symptoms.

The former president was taken to the hospital last weekend, and was said to be recovering in the intensive care unit on Wednesday.

Barbara’s treatment is a precautionary measure, the family representative said, and is a result of fatigue and a coughing spell.

Bush, 92, is the oldest living former president. Barbara Bush, at 91, is similarly the eldest living former first lady.

The 41st president has been hospitalized several times in the past decade. Last week, he wrote a letter to President-elect Donald Trump that his health condition precludes he and his wife from attending his inauguration on Friday.

“Barbara and I are so sorry we can’t be there for your Inauguration,” the letter, dated Jan. 10, said. “My doctor says if I sit outside in January, it will likely put me 6 feet under. Same for Barbara. So I guess we’re stuck in Texas.”

Bush’s chief of staff said the former president should be released within a few days.

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