Not Every Birthday Celebration Brings People To Tears! — Jenna Bush Hager Shares Rare, Emotional Throwback Photos For George W. Bush’s Milestone Birthday, Leaving Fans Reflecting On Family, Time And The Memories That Pass Too Quickly! A birthday tribute has turned into a heartfelt trip down memory lane.

George W. Bush and Jenna Bush Hager on the April 20, 2021, episode of NBC's 'Today.'
Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

What To Know

  • Jenna Bush Hager celebrated her father, former President George W. Bush’s 80th birthday by sharing sentimental throwback photos.
  • She highlighted special family moments and the close bond between Bush and his grandchildren.
  • Bush Hager revealed her father’s fun birthday plans on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle.

Former President George W. Bush is officially 80 years old, and Jenna Bush Hager commemorated her dad‘s milestone birthday by sharing some sentimental throwback photos.

“Happy 80th to this Jefe! Love you,” she captioned a Monday, July 6, Instagram Story post, which featured an old photo of her dad reading a book to her eldest daughter, Mila. (Bush Hager shares her three kids — Mila, Poppy, and Hal — with her husband, Henry Hager.)

In a second Instagram Story post, Bush Hager shared a throwback photo of herself, her father, and her twin sister, Barbara, at a Texas Rangers baseball game. “Thanks for teaching me to love baseball,” she wrote alongside the snap, in which she and Barbara walked on either side of their dad, holding his hands.

She followed up the snap by posting a more recent pic of the former president with Mila at a Rangers game. “And my kids, too,” she wrote.

George W. Bush and Mila Hager via Jenna Bush Hager's Instagram Story, July 6, 2026.

Courtesy of Jenna Bush Hager/Instagram

Bush Hager and Barbara are the only children of Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, and the grandchildren of the late former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush. Along with posting her fun photos via social media, Bush Hager gave her father a special birthday shout-out during Monday’s episode of Today With Jenna & Sheinelle.

Jenna Bush Hager’s Daughter Poppy Makes Rare ‘Today’ Appearance

“Can I just say, Happy 80th Birthday to my dad!” she exclaimed. “It’s his 80th birthday, and I texted him at the crack of dawn.” When asked about his birthday plans, Bush Hager shared, “My sister’s with him. I wish I was there. She’s putting on a spin class at his favorite little place that he goes to, this local spot in Maine. So, [it’s] all of his family and friends, and then, they’re going to have a family dinner.”

Bush Hager also revealed that the Jenna & Sheinelle crew tried to convince her to get her dad on the show for the occasion. “They were like, ‘We should call him.’ But I was like, ‘He probably doesn’t want to be on TV on his 80th birthday. He wants to be left alone,’” she quipped.

Bush Hager’s dad has appeared on Today a handful of times over the years. Most recently, Bush Hager interviewed the four living former presidents — including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden — for Today about their time in office and their hopes for the country during its 250th anniversary.

Jenna Bush Hager, George W. Bush, and Barbar Bush via Jenna Bush Hager's Instagram Story, July 6, 2026; George W. Bush and Mila Hager via Jenna Bush Hager's Instagram Story, July 6, 2026.

Courtesy of Jenna Bush Hager/Instagram

Back in May, Bush Hager revealed on the Las Culturistas podcast that she and Barbara “broke into tears” when their dad first told them he was going to run for president. “We said, ‘You’re going to ruin our lives,’ which we’ve apologized about,” she stated. “We told him he was going to lose. We were like, ‘Fine, you’re gonna lose! You can run, but you’re gonna lose!’”

She added, “I think what it goes to say is we had parents that wanted us to have a normal life. When Barbara and I walk on the street in New York, people are like, ‘We love y’all. Y’all are so normal.’ And that, I think, is a compliment.’”

Today With Jenna & Sheinelle, Weekdays, 10 am, NBC

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