Jenna Bush Hager

Jenna Bush Hager
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Name	Jenna Bush Hager
Caption	Hager in 2019
Birth name	Jenna Welch Bush
Birth date	25 November 1981
Birth place	Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Education	University of Texas at Austin (BA)
Occupation	Television host, author, journalist
Spouse	Henry Hager, 2008
Parents	George W. Bush, Laura Bush
Relatives	Barbara Bush (twin sister), George H. W. Bush (grandfather), George P. Bush (cousin)

Jenna Bush Hager is an American television host, author, and journalist. She is a co-host of the NBC morning show Today with Hoda Kotb and is an editor-at-large for the magazine Southern Living. The daughter of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, she has built a media career focused on storytelling, literacy advocacy, and human-interest features.

Early life and education

Jenna Welch Bush was born in Dallas, Texas, the fraternal twin daughter of George W. Bush and Laura Bush. She and her sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, were raised primarily in Midland and Austin before their father was elected Governor of Texas in 1994. Her early life was spent largely out of the national spotlight, though her family's political prominence increased significantly during her father's tenure in the Texas Governor's Mansion and later his presidency. She attended St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Austin and later graduated from Austin High School. She pursued her higher education at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature in 2004. During her college years, she completed an internship with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Career

After graduating, Hager worked as an elementary school teacher in Washington, D.C., at the Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School. Her media career began in 2009 when she joined NBC News as a correspondent for the Today show. Her early segments often focused on human-interest stories and interviews. She gained prominence as a co-host of the Today show's fourth hour alongside Hoda Kotb in 2019, following the departure of Kathie Lee Gifford. In this role, she conducts celebrity interviews, discusses current events, and hosts popular recurring segments. Concurrently, she serves as an editor-at-large for Southern Living, contributing stories on lifestyle and culture. She is also a contributing correspondent for NBC News and has reported for Dateline NBC. Her broadcasting work has included coverage of major events like the Olympic Games and presidential inaugurations.

Personal life

In 2008, she married Henry Hager, the son of former Republican Lieutenant Governor of Virginia John H. Hager, at the Bush family ranch in Crawford. The ceremony was officiated by the family's longtime pastor, Kirbyjon Caldwell. The couple has three children: daughters Mila and Poppy, and a son, Henry "Hal". The family resides in New York City. She maintains a close relationship with her twin sister, Barbara, with whom she has co-authored books. Her family is closely associated with the political Bush family dynasty, which includes her grandfather, former President George H. W. Bush, and her uncle, former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush.

Public image and advocacy

Hager is widely recognized for her advocacy for literacy and education, causes deeply influenced by her mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian and founder of the National Book Festival. She serves as the chair of the UNICEF Next Generation, an initiative engaging young professionals. Her public persona is often described as relatable and empathetic, which has contributed to the popularity of the Today show's fourth hour. She has been involved with charitable organizations including the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund and the Bush Institute's women's health initiatives. Her advocacy extends to promoting children's health and supporting military families through partnerships with organizations like the USO.

Bibliography

Hager is the author or co-author of several books. Her first book, Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope (2007), is based on her work with UNICEF and tells the story of a young woman living with HIV. In 2017, she and her sister Barbara wrote the memoir Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life, which was adapted into a children's picture book series. Other titles include Read All About It! (2008), co-authored with her mother, Laura Bush, and The Superpower Sisterhood (2022). Her books often emphasize themes of family, resilience, and the importance of reading.

Category:American television personalities Category:American women journalists Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Writers from Texas Category:People from Dallas Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni Category:Bush family