George H.W. Bush Staying Strong, Stoic: Spokesperson

HOUSTON, TX — Despite losing the love of his life, a woman he's known for more than 75 years and been married to for more than 73 of them, George H.W. Bush is staying strong and stoic.

A spokesman for the 41st President of the United states said George H.W. Bush is staying strong in the wake of his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, who died at their River Oaks estate in Houston late Tuesday afternoon.

The statement from Jean Becker, chief of staff at the Office of George H. W. Bush, said the 41st president is surely heartbroken, and that he held his wife's hand all day Tuesday and "was at her side when she left this good earth."

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Top image: Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and former first lady Barbara watch as the 700-ton island super structure of the newest aircraft carrier, the USS George H. W. Bush, is manuvered into place on the deck of ship during a ceremony at the Newport News Shipyard July 8, 2006 in Newport News, Virginia. The placing of the island on the flight desk was part of a ceremony for the carrier that is scheduled to be christened in October. (Photo by Gary C. Knapp/Getty Images)