A look into the Bush family: An American political dynasty

George H.W. Bush was the patriarch of one of America’s greatest political dynasties to date. 

Dozens of his family members gathered Monday for a solemn ceremony at the Capitol rotunda, where the remains of the 41st president took their place in the for three days of mourning and praise by the political elite and everyday citizens alike.

A memorable photograph was captured inside the historic building that shows the majority of surviving relatives posing behind a casket capped in the American flag.  

The Bush family famously created two US presidents and two state governors – a television star, fashion model and NFL executive, to name a few.

The family’s coastal hideaway was a summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, and the West Texas oil patch that created a mix of Yale blue-blood and backcountry cowboy, and their own patriarch, George H.W. Bush.

Bush, who passed away late Friday at age 94, was a World War II hero, a Texas congressman, the director of the CIA, vice president and eventually president. His son, George W., served as Texas governor and two terms in the White House. 

George H.W. Bush was the patriarch of one of America’s greatest political dynasties to date. Dozens of members belonging to the prominent family gathered Monday for a solemn ceremony at the Capitol rotunda. Pictured numerically: 1. George W. Bush (son) 2. John Ellis ‘Jeb’ Bush (son) 3. Neil Bush (son) 4. Marvin Bush (son) 5. Dorothy Bush Koch (daughter) 6. Laura Bush 7. Columba Bush 8. Maria Bush 9. Margaret Conway Molster 10. Bobby Koch 11. Noelle Bush 12. Henry Hager 13. Jenna Welch Bush Hager 14. Gigi Koch 15. Jeb Bush Jr. 16. Lauren Bush Lauren 17. George P. Bush 18. David Lauren (behind Marvin) 19. Ashley Bush 20. Amanda Bush 21. Sam LeBlond 22. Ellie LeBlond Sosa 23. Pierce Bush 24. Charles Walker Bush

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, From left, former U.S. President George W. Bush, former U.S. First Lady Lauren Bush, Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida, his wife Columba Bush, Neil Bush, chairman of Points of Light Institute, his wife Maria Andrews, Marvin Pierce Bush, president of Winston Capital Management LLC, and other relatives stand as former U.S. President George H.W. Bush lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Monday

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, From left, former U.S. President George W. Bush, former U.S. First Lady Lauren Bush, Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida, his wife Columba Bush, Neil Bush, chairman of Points of Light Institute, his wife Maria Andrews, Marvin Pierce Bush, president of Winston Capital Management LLC, and other relatives stand as former U.S. President George H.W. Bush lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Monday

Here’s a closer look into the family tree.

1. George W. Bush (son)

Born in 1946, George W. was elected governor of Texas in 1994 and U.S. president in 2000, serving two terms in the White House. 

He also is a former managing general partner of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers. 

He married Laura Welch, a former teacher and librarian from Midland, Texas, in 1977. The pair have twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, born in 1981. 

2. John Ellis ‘Jeb’ Bush (son)

Born in 1953, Jeb is a former developer and investment banker, Florida commerce secretary and governor of Florida. He dropped out of the 2016 presidential race.

He married Columba Gallo in 1974. The pair had three children, George Prescott, Noelle and John, also known as Jebbie.

3. Neil Bush (son)

Born in 1955, Neil is a founder of Ignite! Learning, an educational software company, and is board chairman of Points of Light, a public service nonprofit. 

Points of Light identifies him as president of ATX Oil and manager of Luoil, a project company. He married Sharon Smith in 1980 and they divorced in 2003.   

Neil and Sharon’s relationship ended with a series of bitter court battles and allegations of adultery, which were seen at the time to damage the name of the family.

In court it emerged that Neil had sex with women who turned up at a hotel rooms he was staying at in Hong Kong and Taiwan – but he insisted they were not prostitutes.

They had three children, Lauren, Pierce and Ashley. In 2004, he married Maria Manass.

4. Marvin Bush (son)

Born in 1956, Marvin is co-founder and a managing partner of Winston Partners, a Virginia-based investment firm, and principal at the George W. Bush Presidential Library. 

He married Margaret Conway Molster in 1981 and they had two children, daughter Marshall and son Charles Walker.

(From far left) George W. Bush, wife Laura, Jeb Bush, his wife Columba, Neil Bush, his wife Maria, Marvin Bush, his wife Margaret and Dorothy Bush with her husband Bobby Koch 

(From far left) George W. Bush, wife Laura, Jeb Bush, his wife Columba, Neil Bush, his wife Maria, Marvin Bush, his wife Margaret and Dorothy Bush with her husband Bobby Koch 

George W. Bush, Laua Bush and Jeb Bush bow their heads during the emotional service 

George W. Bush, Laua Bush and Jeb Bush bow their heads during the emotional service 

5. Dorothy Bush Koch (daughter)

Born in 1959 and known as ‘Doro,’ Dorothy married William LeBlond in 1982 and they had two children, Samuel and Nancy Ellis, known as ‘Ellie.’ 

She and LeBlond divorced in 1990, and she married Robert ‘Bobby’ Koch in 1992. 

They had two children, Gigi and Robert. Dorothy is a board member of the Washington-based National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she once worked, and serves on the board of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. 

6. Laura Bush 

Wife of George W. Bush served as the former first lady from 2001 to 2009. The couple married the same year they met, in 1977.

7. Columba Bush

The wife of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. In 1999, Columba was fined $4,100 for shoplifting several items from a shopping trip in Paris. 

Jeb and Columba have three children, George Prescott, Noelle and John. 

8. Maria Bush

 Maria married Neil Bush in 2004 after he got divorced from his first wife.

9.  Margaret Conway Molster

 Margaret married Marvin Bush in 1981.

10. Bobby Koch

 Bobby married Dorothy Bush Koch in 1992. 

11. Noelle Bush

Born in 1977, Noelle is the daughter of Jeb and Columba Bush.While speaking of drug trade and perils of addiction, Jeb Bush detailed his family’s struggles following the arrest of his daughter Noelle in 2002. 

Noelle attempted to purchase Xanax using another person’s prescription, calling the recovery process a ‘lifetime challenge.’

Even after her arrest, Noelle lapsed twice that year in rehab – once for stealing pills and another time when she was found with crack cocaine.

Noelle’s struggle was national news due to the fact that her father was governor of Florida at the time and her uncle George W. Bush was president.

12. Henry Hager

Henry, an American businessman, is the directer at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a private equity company.

Henry married Jenna Bush Hager in 2008.

13. Jenna Welch Bush Hager 

Born in 1981, Jenna is the daughter of George W and Laura. She is an American television personality and recognized for her work as a correspondent on The Today Show. 

Jenna is the twin sister to Barbara, and is married to Henry.  

Jenna Bush Hager is pictured with her husband Henry Hager

Jenna Bush Hager has a moment of reflection inside the Capitol Rotunda during the service (left). She is pictured with her husband Henry Hager (right)

14. Gigi Koch

Born in 1996, Gigi is the youngest daughter of Dorothy Bush Koch and Bobby Koch.

According to her social media profiles she is still at college, but little else is known about her life.  

15.  Jeb Bush Jr.  

Born in 1983, and the son of Jeb and Columba, Jeb Bush Jr. is a businessman who serves as Managing Partner for Jeb Bush & Associates, LLC. He also serves as the president of Bush Realty, LLC. 

16.  Lauren Bush Lauren

Born in 1984, Lauren’s parents are Neil and Sharon Bush. She is a fashion model and designer, and also the founder of philanthropic company, FEED, which creates products that help fight world hunger.

Neil Bush (left with his arm around wife Maria) and his family visit the Capitol Rotunda as former U.S. President George H.W. Bush lies in state on December 3, 2018 in Washington, DC

Neil Bush (left with his arm around wife Maria) and his family visit the Capitol Rotunda as former U.S. President George H.W. Bush lies in state on December 3, 2018 in Washington, DC

17.  George P. Bush 

Born in 1976, George P. is the son of Jeb and Columba. He currently serves as the commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. He is also an attorney. 

18. David Lauren (behind Marvin)

David, the son of clothing designer Ralph Lauren, married Lauren Bush Lauren in 2011.

19. Ashley Bush 

Born in 1989 to Neil and Sharon Smith, Ashley is a film producer who has worked on movies such as Lost & Found and Beginnings.

20. Amanda Bush   

Amanda is the wife to George P. Bush. She also works as a lawyer and business woman. 

21. Sam LeBlond 

 Born in 1984, Sam is the son of Dorothy Bush Koch and William LeBlond. Dorothy is George H.W Bush’s only living daughter. Sam works as the account manager of Premium Distributors.

22. Ellie LeBlond Sosa 

Born in 1988, Ellie is Sam’s younger sister. She is the author od George & Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story.

23. Pierce Bush 

Born in 1986, Pierce is the son of Neil Bush’s son and Sharon Smith. 

He is employed as the CEO of nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, which partners ‘parents/guardians, volunteers, and donors to provide children with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships,’ its website states.  

24. Charles Walker Bush 

Born in 1989, Charles in the adopted son of Marvin Bush and Margaret Conway Molster.

According to his Instagram page, he is a member of the  United States armed forces.

Not pictured: Barbara Pierce Bush

Born in 1981, Barbara is the daughter of George W. and Laura and the elder twin sister of Jenna. 

Jenna works as a health care activist and is married to Craig Louis Coyne. 

Not pictured: Billy Bush 

Born in 1971, Billy is an American radio and TV host. His parents are Josephine Colwell Bush and Jonathan Bush. His uncle is George H.W. 

Billy’s life dramatically changed two years ago after his infamous p***y-grab tape with Donald Trump was leaked.  

He was let go by NBC and is still looking to rebuild his career.  

Barbara Pierce Bush (George H.W. Bush’s late wife)

Barbara’s father was Marvin Pierce and mother Pauline Robinson. Pierce was a president of the company that published popular women’s magazines Redbook and McCall’s. 

She met Bush in 1941 at age 16 at a Christmas dance. They were married Jan. 6, 1945. The couple had six children, George W., Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin and Dorothy. Barbara had a brother, Scott. She died in April 2018.  

Pauline Robinson ‘Robin’ Bush (George H.W. Bush’s late daughter)

Born in 1949, Pauline passed away in 1953 of leukemia.

Born in December 1949, she died Oct. 11, 1953, of leukemia. She is buried in College Station, Texas, on the grounds of the Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University. 

She is buried in College Station, Texas, on the grounds of the Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University.

Members of the Bush dynasty stand in line at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to watch the former president's body being carried by an honor guard

Members of the Bush dynasty stand in line at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to watch the former president’s body being carried by an honor guard

Former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush hold hands and talk before the dedication of the Mathew J. Lanigan bridge that connects Kennebunk and Kennebunkport on May 19, 2017

Former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush hold hands and talk before the dedication of the Mathew J. Lanigan bridge that connects Kennebunk and Kennebunkport on May 19, 2017

On Monday, the family patriarch’s casket was sent off from his beloved Texas with a 21-gun salute and carried to Andrews Air Force Base outside the capital city aboard an aircraft that often serves as Air Force One. 

And on Sunday, students, staff and visitors had flocked to Bush’s presidential library on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Thousands of mourners paid their respects at a weekend candlelight vigil at a nearby pond and others contributing to growing flower memorials at Bush statues at both the library and a park in downtown Houston.

‘I think he was one of the kindest, most generous men,’ said Marge Frazier, who visited the downtown statue on Sunday while showing friends from California around.

President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush pose for a portrait with members of their extended family in the East Room of the White House in Jan. 2005

President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush pose for a portrait with members of their extended family in the East Room of the White House in Jan. 2005

Portrait of the Bush family in front of their Kennebunkport, Maine home in August 1986. BACK ROW: Margaret holding daughter Marshall, Marvin Bush, Bill LeBlond. FRONT ROW: Neil Bush holding son Pierce, Sharon, George W. Bush holding daughter Barbara, Laura Bush holding daughter Jenna, Barbara Bush, George Bush, Sam LeBlond, Doro Bush Lebond, George P.(Jeb's son), Jeb Bush holding son Jebby, Columba Bush, and Noelle Bush

Portrait of the Bush family in front of their Kennebunkport, Maine home in August 1986. BACK ROW: Margaret holding daughter Marshall, Marvin Bush, Bill LeBlond. FRONT ROW: Neil Bush holding son Pierce, Sharon, George W. Bush holding daughter Barbara, Laura Bush holding daughter Jenna, Barbara Bush, George Bush, Sam LeBlond, Doro Bush Lebond, George P.(Jeb’s son), Jeb Bush holding son Jebby, Columba Bush, and Noelle Bush

Left to right: Columba Bush, Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush, Jeb Bush Jr., George Prescott Bush, Leblond baby, Dorothy Leblond, William Leblond, Sam Leblond, Neil Bush, his child, Lauren Bush, Sharon Bush, Marvin Bush, Marshall Bush, Margaret Bush, Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush, George Bush, George Bush Jr., Barbara Bush Jr. and Laura Bush on vacation in Kennebunkport

Left to right: Columba Bush, Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush, Jeb Bush Jr., George Prescott Bush, Leblond baby, Dorothy Leblond, William Leblond, Sam Leblond, Neil Bush, his child, Lauren Bush, Sharon Bush, Marvin Bush, Marshall Bush, Margaret Bush, Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush, George Bush, George Bush Jr., Barbara Bush Jr. and Laura Bush on vacation in Kennebunkport

A similar outpouring is anticipated in Washington this week during the state funeral for Bush, who died late Friday at his home in Houston. He was 94.

Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda for a ceremony and public visitation from Monday through Wednesday. 

An invitation-only funeral service is set for Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are to attend. 

Bush’s family has not said who will speak at the service. Former President Jimmy Carter also will be there.

Afterward, Bush will be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church before burial Thursday at his family plot on the library grounds. 

His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years who died in April, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953 at age 3. 

GEORGE H.W. BUSH’S STATE FUNERAL SCHEDULE

Americans will pay homage to their 41st President over the course of the next four days.

On Monday, a departure ceremony was held at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston at 10.30am Central time.

Bush’s casket was flown from Houston to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

The plane carrying Bush’s coffin arrived around 3.30pm Eastern time, when a ceremony was held at Andrews.

From there, the coffin was taken to the U.S. Capitol.

The casket will lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda from Monday at 5pm local time until 10am on Wednesday.

A guard of honor was in attendance, and the public will be allowed into the Capitol from 7:30pm Monday until 8.45am Wednesday.

At 10am on Wednesday, Bush’s coffin will depart the U.S. Capitol, which will see him off with a ceremony.

The casket will be driven to Washington National Cathedral, where a memorial service is scheduled to begin at 11:00am.

Brian Mulroney, the former Prime Minister of Canada, is one of three people who have been chosen to deliver a eulogy, according to Global News .

After the 90-minute service, Bush’s casket will be taken to Joint Base Andrews. It is scheduled to depart at 1:15pm.

Bush is expected to arrive back at Ellington Field in Houston at 4:30pm Central time.

The former President will lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, the site of Barbara Bush’s funeral in April.

On Thursday at 12:30pm Central time, Bush will be taken by locomotive train to Texas A&M University in College Station, home to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

Bush, a lover of trains, will take his final ride in one that it fitted with a glass viewing car.

He will be buried next to his wife and daughter, Robin, at 4:15pm Central time in College Station.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk