George H.W. Bush taken to hospital with infection day after wife's funeral, 'appears to be recovering'

William Cummings | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption George H.W. Bush's letter to wife Barbara Jeb Bush recited a love letter written from his father George H.W. Bush at his late mother Barbara's funeral.

Former president George H.W. Bush was taken to a Houston hospital with an infection the day after attending the funeral for his wife of 73 years, according to a statement from his office Monday.

Bush, 93, was taken to Houston Methodist Hospital Sunday with an infection that had spread to his blood. He is "responding to treatments and appears to be recovering," Bush spokesman Jim McGrath said.

Former first lady Barbara Bush was laid to rest Saturday in Houston. Her husband was joined by former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, their wives and first lady Melania Trump.

Bush was also present to greet members of the public who came to pay their last respects to his wife Friday at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston where her body laid in repose.

Barbara Bush died Tuesday at age 92.

Bush was hospitalized twice last year, once in January and once in April, for treatment while suffering from pneumonia. He also went to a Maine hospital with a broken bone in his neck after falling at his home in Kennebunkport in 2015.

In 2014, Bush spent a week in the hospital after being admitted for shortness of breath.

A form of Parkinson's disease has left Bush dependent on a wheelchair and scooter for mobility in recent years.

The Massachusetts native served as president from 1989 to 1993 and was defeated in the 1992 election by Clinton. He also served as President Reagan's vice president, the director of the CIA, GOP chairman, the United Nations ambassador and was twice elected to the House of Representatives.

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