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Inside The Bush Family Fortune: Who’s The Richest?
Posted: April 21, 2024 | Last updated: April 21, 2024
Inside the fortune of an all-American political dynasty
While best known for its deep-rooted political links, you may be surprised to hear how the Bush family made its $400 million fortune in a variety of different ways over the years.
As well as producing two American presidents – George H W Bush and his son George W Bush served as the 41st and 43rd Presidents of the United States respectively – the clan has dabbled in everything from banking and steel to oil and even fashion over the decades, adding to the family fortune along the way.
Read on to trace the dynasty's rise to riches and power, and find out who the wealthiest family members are.
Samuel P Bush: the patriarch
The Bush family's US roots can be traced all the way back to the arrival of the English ship Mayflower, which arrived in America in 1620.
However, the dynasty's wealth originated in the 19th century with Samuel Prescott Bush (1863-1948), George W's great-grandfather.
Starting out as a railroad apprentice, the ambitious go-getter eventually became president of Buckeye Steel Castings, a major corporation that supplied steel parts to the booming railroad industry.
Prescott S Bush: banker and senator
Regarded as one of the great industrialists of his day, Samuel forged powerful connections with the Rockefellers and other prominent American families.
He would go on to co-found the US Chamber of Commerce and was an advisor to President Herbert Hoover.
Samuel's eldest son, Prescott Sheldon Bush (1895-1972, shown here), married into the moneyed Walker family and helped further expand the Bush fortune through his successful investment banking career. Prescott was elected to the US Senate in 1952.
George H W Bush: oilman and US president
The family was propelled into the big time in terms of both money and politics by Prescott's second son, George Herbert Walker Bush (1924-2018).
Supported by his father's wealth and powerful contacts, the shrewd George racked up a multimillion-dollar fortune in the Texan oil industry before embarking on his political career in the early 1960s.
Bush family's estimated net worth
George Sr served as a Republican congressman, UN ambassador, CIA director, and US vice president before he was voted in as America's 41st president in 1989. He had an estimated net worth of $25 million at the time of his death in 2018.
Today, the Bush family (shown here in 2005) has a total fortune that's worth around $400 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
The family's wealth can largely be attributed to the steel, banking, and oil industries. In recent years, however, various members of the clan have branched out into other fields, including entertainment, publishing, and tech.
Read on to discover who's currently the wealthiest member of the Bush family, and find out how they've made their money.
Dorothy Bush Koch, estimated net worth: up to $5 million
The sixth child of George H W Bush and his wife Barbara, Dorothy ("Doro") Bush Koch is an author, literacy campaigner, charity fundraiser, wellness guru, and self-styled "kindness champion."
She also co-founded BB&R Consulting with Tricia Reilly Koch around 20 years ago.
Dorothy Bush Koch, estimated net worth: up to $5 million
Doro is best known for penning the 2006 biography My Father, My President: A Personal Account of the Life of George H. W. Bush, which reached the New York Times' Best Seller list.
Wealth-wise, internet guesses peg Doro's net worth at up to $5 million. However, it could well be in excess of that figure judging by her impressive résumé and lucrative public speaking gigs.
George Prescott Bush, estimated net worth: up to $5m
Doro's nephew, George Prescott Bush, has followed in the footsteps of his father Jeb and various other family members by entering public life.
With a background in law and a stint in the US Navy already under his belt, George was elected Texas Land Commissioner in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.
In 2021, the Bush scion threw his hat into the ring to become the Lone Star State's attorney general.
George Prescott Bush, estimated net worth: up to $5m
George tried to court Donald Trump's support, but the former president snubbed him in favor of opponent Ken Paxton. Paxton stormed to victory in the 2022 election, leaving The Texas Tribune pondering if the loss could be "the end of the line for a four-generation political dynasty."
At least George doesn't have to worry about money though: various online sources suggest he has a net worth that could be as high as $5 million.
Marvin Pierce Bush, estimated net worth: up to $5m
The youngest son of George H W Bush and Barbara, Marvin Pierce Bush has stuck strictly to business, steering clear of politics in favor of the corporate world.
Marvin is currently a managing partner at Winston Partners Group, the Virginia-based investment company he co-founded in 1993. He's also held senior positions at a number of insurance and security firms.
Marvin Pierce Bush, estimated net worth: up to $5m
Marvin Bush served on the board of a company providing security for New York's Twin Towers from 1993 to 2000, a role that has certainly fueled the imaginations of online 9/11 conspiracy theorists.
When it comes to his bank balance, estimates suggest that Marvin's net worth could sit at around $5 million. However, the real figure could be significantly higher.
Lauren Bush Lauren, estimated net worth: up to $5m
The daughter of George H W Bush's son Neil and his first wife Sharon, the glamorous Lauren Bush has carved out an enviable career.
Having studied anthropology at Princeton, she's modeled for top designers and landed front covers on Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Glamour.
Lauren also interned on the set of iconic sitcom Friends and even scored a cameo in the series. On top of all that, she launched her fashion label, Lauren Pierce Atelier, in 2008, with pieces crafted from fabrics handmade by women from around the world.
Lauren Bush Lauren, estimated net worth: up to $5m
Along with Ellen Gustafson, Lauren Bush Lauren co-founded FEED Projects in 2007. The charitable organization has provided over 126 million school meals for kids in developing countries, with funds raised via the sales of bags, purses, and other accessories.
As for her name, that's explained by the fact that in 2011 Lauren married David Lauren (shown together here), son of the billionaire fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The couple have three children together.
So what's Lauren Bush Lauren worth? Estimates feel relatively modest, with online sources suggesting she has a net worth of up to $5 million.
Barbara Pierce Bush, estimated net worth: $5 million
Like their fashionista cousin Lauren, the twin daughters of George W Bush and his wife Laura have also pursued careers that can indulge their passions.
The elder twin by a mere 60 seconds, Barbara Pierce Bush has centered her work around healthcare activism and philanthropy.
Barbara Pierce Bush, estimated net worth: $5 million
A few years after graduating from Yale, the daughter of the then-president co-founded Global Health Corps, a leadership development organization that has promoted health equity in developing countries since 2009.
After stepping down as CEO in 2018, Barbara continues to take an active role in the non-profit and is a member of its board.
As to Barbara's wealth, Celebrity Net Worth suggests that she could also be worth around $5 million.
Jonathan S Bush, estimated net worth: up to $9m+
The nephew of George H W Bush, Jonathan S Bush had the foresight in the late 1990s to found Athenahealth, which specializes in internet-based healthcare services and software.
Jonathan guided the firm through its IPO, international expansion, and more. However, he was pushed out by investors in 2018, shortly after allegations of domestic abuse against his ex-wife surfaced.
Jonathan S Bush, estimated net worth: up to $9m+
Jonathan has since taken on an executive chair role at Firefly Health, a primary care start-up, and is also the founder and CEO of shared health data platform Zus Health.
Online estimates place his net worth at around $9 million. However, Benzinga valued his stock holdings at $65.68 million in 2018, so the real figure could be significantly higher.
Billy Bush, estimated net worth: $13 million
Jonathan's younger brother, Billy Bush, decided to pursue a career in entertainment.
After cutting his chops on radio in the 1990s, Billy moved into TV, getting his big break in 2001 when he joined Access Hollywood as East Coast correspondent. He was promoted to Access Hollywood co-host in 2004.
After juggling the role with his eponymous radio show, as well as co-hosting events like Miss USA and Miss Universe, Billy quit Access Hollywood to join NBC's Today show in 2016.
Billy Bush, estimated net worth: $13 million
Much like his brother, Billy is no stranger to scandal. He was famously fired from Today after the notorious tape of him having a lewd, misogynistic conversation with Donald Trump emerged in October 2016.
His career has since perked up, however, and he's currently an anchor of entertainment news show Extra. He's not doing too badly when it comes to money either, with an estimated net worth of $13 million.
Jenna Bush Hager, estimated net worth: $14 million combined
And Billy isn't the only Bush family member to have landed a profitable Today gig.
Jenna Bush Hager, twin of Barbara and daughter of George W and Laura Bush, started working as a correspondent for the long-running morning TV show in 2009. She currently has a pivotal presenting role alongside Hoda Kotb, with the pair hosting Today with Hoda & Jenna.
Jenna has written a number of books and was appointed editor-at-large of Southern Living magazine in 2012.
Jenna Bush Hager, estimated net worth: $14 million combined
The former first daughter is now said to be pulling in $4 million a year thanks to Today.
Along with her husband, Henry Hager, Jenna has an estimated fortune of $14 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
That figure's only set to soar as her impressive media career goes from strength to strength, so watch this space...
Henry Hager, estimated net worth: $14 million combined
The early 2000s saw Henry Hager work in various roles in the administration of his father-in-law to-be George W Bush. By the time he married Jenna in 2008, Hager had built himself a successful political career.
In 2011, he moved into the private sector and has since gone on to hold several high-paying roles, which have helped further boost his and Jenna's collective net worth.
Henry Hager, estimated net worth: $14 million combined
These positions have included a directorship at investment company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, where Henry specialized in energy and infrastructure, plus a senior position at Constellation Energy.
His current role as managing director of Waterous Energy Fund, which makes oil and gas investments, is likely to be even more lucrative.
Jeb Bush, estimated net worth: $40 million
George H W Bush's second son, Jeb, who served as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, provided a fascinating insight into his net worth when he released 33 years of tax returns during his failed presidential run.
The documents showed that his annual income had skyrocketed from $260,000 at the end of his governorship in 2007 to $7.3 million by 2013.
Jeb Bush, estimated net worth: $40 million
The disclosure revealed the politician had made at least $29 million between 2007 and 2016. The substantial rise was due to a number of consultancy, advisory, and corporate directorship roles at Wall Street banks, healthcare giants, and other top-paying firms.
And Jeb's net worth just keeps on climbing. Today, the figure is estimated to be a cool $40 million.
Laura Bush, estimated net worth: $40 million
Pinning down a reliable approximation of Laura Bush's wealth is tricky, as estimates online vary wildly.
What is known for sure is that Laura has earned an incredible sum of money since she left the White House in 2009, with the after-dinner speech circuit proving particularly lucrative for the wife of former US president George W Bush.
Laura also received a multimillion-dollar advance for her 2010 autobiography Spoken from the Heart.
Laura Bush, estimated net worth: $40 million
With the dollars flying in from every direction, it's hardly surprising that Celebrity Net Worth puts the ex-FLOTUS' fortune at an impressive $40 million.
However, other sources suggest it might be closer to $10 million, while some peg it at just $5 million.
George W Bush, estimated net worth: $50 million
Estimates of George W Bush's wealth are far more consistent. According to reports, he was worth $20 million when he became US president in 2001 and has since seen his fortune rise to an estimated $50 million.
George made his pre-presidency money from the oil industry, as well as his ownership of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
George W Bush, estimated net worth: $50 million
Following his two terms in the White House, the former president, like his wife, has gone on to make a fortune thanks to the speaking circuit.
He reportedly made $15 million in the space of just two years post-presidency and continues to give high-paying speeches today. According to a 2015 Politico investigation, Bush can make somewhere between $100,000 to $175,000 per speaking gig, and had delivered around 200 talks between 2009 and 2015.
His net worth has been further bolstered by his writing, with his 2010 memoir Decision Points landing him a $10 million advance.
David Lauren, estimated net worth: $50 million
While a number of mega-rich families have married into the Bush clan over the years, none are quite so wealthy as the Laurens.
The second son of fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, David Lauren tied the knot with Lauren Bush in 2011.
David joined the Ralph Lauren board in 2013 and currently serves as the fashion label's chief branding and innovation officer.
David Lauren, estimated net worth: $50 million
Celebrity Net Worth estimates that David's net worth is around $50 million.
However, given that Ralph Lauren has a fortune of $6.8 billion at his fingertips, David could be in line for a hefty inheritance one day – which would only serve to further inflate the Bush clan's combined wealth to unfathomable new heights.
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