Former US president George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized April 23, 2018, just days after his wife’s death, according to a spokesman. / AFP PHOTO / Mandel NGAN
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former president George H.W. Bush was being treated for a blood infection on Monday, hours after laying his wife Barbara to rest, his office said.
A statement stressed that Bush, 93, was responding to treatment. He was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital early Sunday, just a day after bidding a final farewell to his wife of 73 years during her funeral. Barbara Bush had died on Tuesday.
The 41st president greeted and shook hands with numerous attendees during the invitation-only funeral attended by four former presidents, including himself and his son George W. Bush.
“President Bush was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital yesterday morning after contracting an infection that spread to his blood,” a statement read.
“He is responding to treatments and appears to be recovering. We will issue additional updates as events warrant.”
Bush, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and is wheelchair-bound as a result, has been repeatedly hospitalized for pneumonia. This is a less-common version of Parkinson’s that only affects the lower body.
He is the oldest of the five living former US presidents, having served as commander-in-chief from 1989 to 1993.
Bush is a father to former president George W. Bush (2001-2009) and former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who was a contender in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries.
© Agence France-Presse
