A Guide to the Bush Family Tree, From Jenna Bush Hager's "Gampy" to Her Cousins
TODAY's Jenna Bush Hager hails from a beloved American family tree rooted in leadership and service.
Jenna Bush Hager has become a household name as a co-anchor on NBC's TODAY, but long before she brought warmth and humor to viewers each morning, she was known for being a charismatic presence within the Bush family.
Jenna's success is just one branch of a deeply rooted family tree filled with political powerhouses and influential trailblazers. The Bush family's influence spans several generations, with their legacy forming a glimmering kaleidoscope of leadership. Jenna is both a daughter and granddaughter of former presidents, growing up surrounded by politics and public service. She eventually pursued a career in journalism rather than politics, but remains a public figure as a TODAY co-host, where she continues to remind viewers of the Bush family's impact.
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The Bush family is one of America's most enduring political dynasties who have left a mark on the nation. As some family members join Jenna on TODAY, let's have a look at the mighty branches of the Bush family tree.
When did the Bush family first enter politics?
The Bush family's rise to power began with Jenna's great-grandfather, Prescott Bush, who served as a U.S. senator representing Connecticut from 1952 to 1963. Prescott was a successful banker before entering public office, where he soon carved a niche within Republican politics. After marrying Dorothy Walker in 1921, the couple eventually had five children, one of whom would be inspired by Prescott's unwavering dedication to public service.
Let's follow Prescott Bush's legacy to see just how sprawling the Bush political dynasty has become.
George H.W. Bush
Jenna's grandfather, George H.W. Bush, built an extraordinary political career after being inspired by his father's example. H.W. served as vice president for Ronald Reagan before eventually becoming the 41st President of the United States in 1989. Before his presidency, H.W. held several roles in public office, including Director of the CIA, Ambassador to the U.N., and a Texas U.S. representative. He's remembered far and wide for navigating the end of the Cold War, but to Jenna, he was "Gampy," a loving grandfather who, despite his many responsibilities, always made time for his wife and family.
Barbara Bush
Jenna's grandmother, Barbara Bush, was a beloved first lady and one of only two women in history to be both the wife and mother of U.S. presidents. Barbara was First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993, the oldest first lady to live in the White House to that date, assuming the position at 63 years old and soon becoming known for her grandmotherly warmth. A strong advocate for education, in 1989, she launched the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to support literacy programs.
Including Jenna's father, Barbara had six children between 1946 and 1959, losing 3-year-old daughter Robin to leukemia in 1953. Following Barbara's death in 2018, the former first lady was survived by her husband and their children: George, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy, A.K.A. — Jenna's aunts and uncles.
George W. Bush
Jenna's father, George W. Bush, followed in his father's footsteps, becoming Governor of Texas in 1995 before taking his politics to the White House as the 43rd President of the United States. The younger Bush served from 2001 to 2009, with his presidency defined by his response to 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Jenna has often talked about her dad's playful side, admitting that even years out of high school, she can get embarrassed by him, reminding the former president to "keep it cool."
Laura Bush
Jenna's mother, Laura Bush, brought her own strength to the national stage as first lady. As a former teacher and librarian, she championed educational reform throughout her time in the White House. Her love of books and storytelling has no doubt inspired her daughter's own career as an author; the women even co-wrote two children's books together, including Real All About It! (2008) and 2016's Our Great Big Backyard.
Barbara Pierce Bush
Thanks to years of navigating the pressures of being raised within a political dynasty together, Jenna is incredibly close to her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush. While growing up around the White House, the sisters had a quintessential twin experience, often spotted in matching clothes when they were younger. Nowadays, Barbara is an entrepreneur and philanthropist, making strides within the non-profit sector as the co-founder of Global Health Corps. Barbara has also co-written several books with her sister, such as their shared 2017 memoir, Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life, as well as several family-centric children's books.
And the Bush family only continues to grow, both have become mothers. Jenna is a mother of three with her husband Henry Hager, while her sister Barbara has two kids of her own with her husband Craig Coyne.
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How many cousins does Jenna Bush Hager have?
Jenna's mother, Laura, was an only child, but the Bush side of the family carried through on the cousin roll call. Across her three uncles and aunt, Jenna Bush Hager has 12 first cousins.
Jenna's uncle, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, has three children: former Texas Land Commissioner George Prescott Bush, Noelle Lucila Bush, and John Ellis "Jeb" Bush.
Cousins Lauren Bush Lauren, Pierce Mallon Bush, and actress Ashley Walker Bush all hail from her uncle Neil Bush's side.
Jenna's uncle Marvin has adopted two children: a daughter, Marshall Lloyd, and a son, Charles Walker.
Jenna's aunt, Dorothy Bush Koch, has four children. While married to William Heekin LeBlond, she welcomed a son, Samuel "Sam" Bush LeBlond, and a daughter, Nancy Ellis "Ellie" LeBlond Sosa. After remarrying in 1992, Dorothy and her husband, Robert P. "Bobby" Koch, eventually welcomed two children: a son, Robert David, and a daughter, Georgia Grace "Gigi" Grace.
Jenna Bush Hager's cousins Wendy Wear Stapleton and Sam Bush LeBlond join her on TODAY
Jenna Bush Hager isn't the only one bitten by the entertainment bug in the Bush family; her cousins Wendy Stapleton and Sam Bush LeBlond share her passion for connecting to audiences, joining TODAY as guest co-anchors alongside their cousin for a couple of episodes in March 2025.
Wendy Wear Stapleton is Jenna's second cousin on her father's side. (Wendy is the daughter of Dorothy Walker Stapleton, George H.W. Bush's cousin.) Jenna and Barbara are very close with Stapleton and simply call each other "cousins." Or as Barbara described their relationship to People, "It's as if Wendy is our sister, our third sister."
Stapleton has collaborated with the TODAY co-anchor before. According to TODAY, Stapleton is an entrepreneur and co-founder of the Greenwich International Film Festival in Connecticut. Jenna hopped aboard as a Film Fest board member alongside her cousin in 2014.
Samuel Bush LeBlond hosts the All the Best podcast, where he honors the legacy left behind by his grandparents, George H.W. and Barbara Bush. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the George and Barbara Bush Foundation and serves as co-chair for the Bush Family Classic.
From the White House to the TODAY studio, Jenna's career has reflected the lessons she learned from a family she deeply loves. Beyond her award-winning broadcasting career, her advocacy for education and literacy has continued the Bush family's tradition of service in her own way.
Don't miss the Bush family reunion by watching TODAY on weekdays at 7 a.m. ET on NBC.
