‘I Am Still Old and Still in Love.’ Barbara Bush Paid Tribute to Her Husband a Month Before Her Death

Former First Lady Barbara Bush paid tribute to her seven-decade marriage to former President George H.W. Bush in a note to her college alumnae magazine published weeks before her death at age 92.

Bush, who dropped out of Smith College to marry her teenage sweetheart, gave a touching tribute to the former President in her class note in the Smith Alumnae Quarterly in March., writing, “I am still old and still in love with the man I married 72 years ago.”

The couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Jan. 6. It is the longest presidential marriage in history.

She also told the magazine, “George Bush has given me the world. He is the best—thoughtful and loving.”

The former First Lady received an honorary degree from Smith in 1989.

She also offered a light-hearted medical update: “I have had great medical care and more operations than you would believe. I’m not sure God will recognize me; I have so many new body parts!”

The Bush family announced Sunday that the former First Lady’s health was failing after several hospital visits and she decided to discontinue medical treatment. She died two days later.

“A former First Lady of the United States of America and relentless proponent of family literacy, Barbara Pierce Bush passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at the age of 92,” family spokesman Jim McGrath announced. “She is survived by her husband of 73 years, President George H.W. Bush; five children and their spouses; 17 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and her brother Scott Pierce.”

On Sunday a family statement said Bush was “surrounded by a family she adores and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving.”

In her Smith College class note, Bush also bragged about her hometown Houston Astros baseball team – and the work her children and grandchildren are doing.

“All of our children are working and serving others in their own way, along with my 17 grandchildren. Last fall, they were helping with hurricane relief and cheering on the Astros in the world series,” she wrote.