Laura Welch Bush; 2001 to present

Born: 1947

When Laura Welch and George W. Bush were introduced at a dinner in Midland, Texas, they proved the theory that opposites attract. She was a reserved 30-year-old schoolteacher and librarian with a passion for books. He was a gregarious 31-year-old oilman who liked a good time. Within three months, they were wed. Like George, Laura had grown up in Midland, where her father was a homebuilder. But while George went east to study, Laura majored in education at SMU, then earned a masters in library science at the University of Texas. She led a largely private life as a wife and mother of twin daughters until her husband's gubernatorial win thrust her into the public eye.

As First Lady of Texas, Laura Bush focused on the cause of education. She launched an early childhood development initiative to help ready kids for school, and started the annual Texas Book Festival to raise money for public libraries. She used the statehouse to promote family literacy much as her mother-in-law, former First Lady Barbara Bush, used the White House. When George W. entered the 2000 Presidential race, Laura proved an able and popular campaigner, giving the opening address at the GOP convention. In the years since he was first elected, Laura has emerged as a strong, but discreet, First Lady, who wields no small influence as her husband's most trusted confidante. Calm, quiet and self-possessed, Laura Bush has been called her husband's "check and balance."

Forty-Third President
George W. Bush