Barbara Bush Hospitalized For Unknown Respiratory Problems
Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the U.S., was hospitalized for a respiratory related issue on New Year's Eve.
The 88-year-old wife of former President George H. W. Bush underwent open-heart surgery in 2009, but it is unknown if her current condition is related.
On Tuesday, the Bush family released a statement saying that the former first lady was taken to Methodist Hospital.
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"She is in great spirits, has already received visits from her husband and family, and is receiving fantastic care," the statement said, according to CNN. "Updates will be issued when warranted."
Back in 1988, Bush announced that he had been diagnosed with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that commonly affects the thyroid. The condition led to Bush's hospitalization in 2010.
As a result of her hospitalization on New Year's Day, many are wishing Bush a speedy recovery, including former president Bill Clinton.
"I'll be rooting for Barbara Bush's full recovery while she's rooting for Baylor today," the former president posted to Twitter. "All my best to her and @GeorgeHWBush."
Baylor played the University of Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday night.
Although he is a Democrat, Clinton has joked that he has gotten so close with the Bushes that he may become part of their Republican-dominated family.
"Starting with my work with President George H. W. Bush on the aftermath of Katrina, people began to joke that I was getting so close to the Bush family, that I had become the black sheep son," Clinton said during the dedication ceremony for George W. Bush's presidential library in Dallas, according to CNN.
"My mother told me not to talk too long today, and Barbara, I will not let you down," he added.
Alternately, Barbara's husband, George H. W. Bush, was hospitalized just over a year ago at the same hospital for a persistent cough and lingering bacterial infection. He was the 41st president of the U.S., and he also served two terms as vice president under President Ronald Reagan.
