What Was George H.W. Bush Net Worth?
George H.W. Bush net worth was estimated at $25 million at the time of his death in 2018. The former U.S. president accumulated his wealth through a combination of oil business success, family investments, speaking engagements, advisory roles, and book royalties, rather than from his years in public office.
George Herbert Walker Bush, commonly known as George H.W. Bush, served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993. He was a central figure in American and global politics for decades and the patriarch of one of the most influential political families in U.S. history.
| George H.W. Bush Net Worth | $25 Million |
| Date of Birth | June 12, 1924 |
| Place of Birth | Milton, Massachusetts |
Early Life
George H.W. Bush was born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts, and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. He came from a wealthy and well-connected family. His father, Prescott Bush, was a successful investment banker and later a U.S. Senator, which meant the family was largely insulated from the effects of the Great Depression.
Bush attended Phillips Academy before enrolling at Yale University, where he later graduated with honors in 1948.
Military Service and World War II
Shortly after graduating high school, Bush enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became one of the youngest naval aviators during World War II. He flew combat missions in the Pacific and survived being shot down over enemy territory.
His wartime service shaped his lifelong sense of duty and leadership, traits that later defined his political career.
Oil Business Success
After college, Bush moved with his family to West Texas, where he entered the oil and energy business. His ventures proved highly successful, and he became a self-made millionaire by the age of 40.
This early financial success played a significant role in building George H.W. Bush net worth, giving him both the financial independence and public profile to pursue politics full-time.
Entry Into Politics
Bush’s political career began in the 1960s. After an unsuccessful Senate run in 1964, he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Texas.
Over the next two decades, he held several major positions, including:
- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
- Chairman of the Republican National Committee
- Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Vice President under Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)
His extensive foreign policy and national security experience later became a cornerstone of his presidency.
Presidency and Global Leadership
In 1988, Bush won the presidential election, defeating Michael Dukakis, and became the 41st President of the United States. He was the first sitting vice president elected president since 1836.
His presidency was dominated by foreign affairs, including:
- The end of the Cold War
- The fall of the Berlin Wall
- The peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union
- Leadership of the coalition during the Gulf War
Domestically, he signed landmark legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and appointed David Souter and Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Despite high approval ratings after the Gulf War, Bush lost his re-election bid in 1992 to Bill Clinton, largely due to economic concerns at home.
George H.W. Bush Income After the White House
Following his presidency, Bush remained active but avoided corporate board positions. His post-presidency income came from:
- High-profile speaking engagements
- Advisory work with The Carlyle Group
- Book collaborations, including A World Transformed
- Family investments and trusts
These ventures helped preserve and modestly grow George H.W. Bush net worth in retirement.
Personal Life
Bush married Barbara Pierce in 1945, and the couple had six children, including:
- George W. Bush, 43rd U.S. President
- Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida
The family endured personal tragedy with the death of their daughter Robin, who died of leukemia at age three.
Barbara Bush passed away in April 2018, and George H.W. Bush died just seven months later on November 30, 2018, at the age of 94, after long-term health complications.
Honors
George H.W. Bush received numerous honors, including:
- Time Magazine’s Man of the Year (1990)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)
- The naming of George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston
- The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University
His legacy is widely remembered for diplomacy, integrity, and public service rather than personal wealth accumulation.
George H.W. Bush Net Worth
George H.W. Bush net worth was estimated to be $25 million.