George H. W. Bush rushed to hospital just days after Barbara’s funeral

Former US president George H. W. Bush has been admitted to hospital just days after saying a final farewell to his beloved wife Barbara at her funeral.

The 93-year-old was treated for an infection that had spread to his blood, but his spokesman has confirmed he has now begun to respond to treatments.

Jim McGrath said in a statement on Twitter: “President Bush was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital yesterday morning after contracting an infection that spread to his blood. He is responding to treatments and appears to be recovering. We will issue additional updates as events warrant.”

Bush was pictured keeping vigil by his wife’s coffin as he was joined by more than 1,500 mourners at her funeral over the weekend. While he was in a wheelchair throughout, he smiled for photos alongside everyone from the Obamas to Melania Trump and the Clintons.

Statement by the Office of @GeorgeHWBush on President Bush's health. pic.twitter.com/8UkB53JHqD

— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) April 23, 2018

At one point during the service, he appeared to break down in tears as his son Jeb read out a love letter he sent his late wife Barbara during their long marriage.

Read more: Tearful George H.W. Bush’s son reads love letter in moving eulogy for Barbara

The congregation gathered at St Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, on Saturday as Jeb remembered his mother as a “role model” to their family, sharing fun anecdotes from their private lives together. He said she “filled our lives with laughter and joy” and paid particular attention to her incredible bond to his father, George.

While he was the only one of Barbara’s children to speak, he was joined by the wife of former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, Susan Baker, as well as George H.W. Bush biographer Jon Meacham – who told the church that George was the “only boy” Barbara had ever kissed.

Managing to make the congregation laugh and cry, Jeb began his eulogy – which was recorded by CNN – by saying: “As I stand here today to share a few words about my mom, I feel her looming presence behind me.

“And I know exactly what she’s thinking right now.’Jeb, keep it short. Don’t drag this out. People have already heard enough remarks already and most of all, don’t get weepy. Remember, I’ve spent decades laughing and living a life with these people’!”

He went on to thank everyone from their loved ones, to the caregivers who helped Barbara in her final days – adding that she had taught them to show gratitude. “You see our mom was our first and most important teacher,” he remembered.

Reminiscing on her “tough love”, Jeb fondly described it as a “benevolent dictatorship”, and added: “Mom could strike fear into her grandchildren, nephews, nieces and her children, if someone didn’t behave.” However, he insisted that “every grandchild knew their Ganny loved them.”

He then paid tribute to his father’s “love story” with his mother, and explained he would write her a love letter on their wedding anniversary every year. He brought one from 1994 to the service to read out.

It read: “Will you marry me? Oops, I forgot we did that 49 years ago. I was very happy on that day in 1945 but I am even happier today.

“You have given me joy that few men know. You have made our boys into men by balling them out and then, right away, by loving them. You’ve helped Doro be the sweetest, greatest daughter in the whole wide world. I have climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world but even that cannot hold a candle to being Barbara’s husband.

“Mom used to tell me, ‘Now, George, don’t walk ahead’. Little did she know I was only trying to keep up, keep up with Barbara Pierce from Rye, New York.  I love you.”

Do you have a message for the former president during his health battle?