Columba Bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Columba Bush
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Bush in 2018
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| First Lady of Florida | |
| In role January 5, 1999 – January 2, 2007 |
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| Governor | Jeb Bush |
| Preceded by | Anne Selph |
| Succeeded by | Carole Crist |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Columba Garnica Gallo
August 17, 1953 León, Guanajuato, Mexico |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, including George |
Columba Bush (born Columba Garnica Gallo on August 17, 1953) is a Mexican-American philanthropist, which is a person who works to help others. She is married to Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida. When her husband was governor, she served as the First Lady of Florida from 1999 to 2007.
Contents
Growing Up in Mexico
Columba Garnica Gallo was born in León, a city in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Her parents were José María Garnica Rodríguez and Josefina Gallo Esquivel. Her father was a waiter and worker who moved to the United States in 1956 when Columba was three years old. Her parents later divorced in 1963. After her father left, Columba and her mother stayed in León.
For her education, Columba went to a private Catholic school called Instituto Antonia Mayllen in the historic part of León.
Meeting Jeb Bush
In 1970, when she was 16, Columba met Jeb Bush. He was 17 at the time and was in Mexico as part of a school program. He was teaching English and helping to build a school in a small village near León.
Columba and Jeb Bush were married on February 23, 1974, in Austin, Texas. The wedding took place in a chapel at the University of Texas. Because Columba was still learning English, part of the wedding ceremony was held in Spanish.
Life as First Lady of Florida
While Columba Bush usually stayed out of politics, she did support her family. In 1988, she appeared in a Spanish-language TV commercial for her father-in-law, George H. W. Bush, during his campaign for president. She also gave a speech in Spanish to nominate him at the Republican National Convention.
As the First Lady of Florida, she used her position to support important causes. She worked with groups that help keep families safe and organizations focused on health and wellness. She also supported Arts for Life, a group that gives scholarships to young artists.
Supporting the Arts and Community
Columba Bush has always been a strong supporter of the arts. In 1999, she helped create a program called Arts for Life!. This program was designed to show how important art is in schools.
As First Lady, she also organized art shows. These exhibitions featured famous artists like Salvador Dalí, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo, as well as artists from Florida.
She also worked on programs to help young people make healthy choices. She visited shelters, connected charities with people who wanted to donate, and became a voice for important community issues.
In 2003, she traveled to Rome as part of a group celebrating Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary as Pope. During her husband's 2016 presidential campaign, she visited women's shelters to offer her support.
Family and Personal Life
Columba is known for being a quiet and private person. She and her husband live in Coral Gables, Florida. Her sister and mother also live nearby in the Miami area.
Columba and Jeb Bush have three children:
- George Prescott Bush, born in Texas on April 24, 1976.
- Noelle Lucila Bush, born in Texas on July 26, 1977.
- John Ellis "Jeb" Bush Jr. born in Miami on December 13, 1983.
Their oldest son, George P. Bush, is an attorney and politician. He served as the Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. Columba Bush has four grandchildren.
She is a practicing Roman Catholic and is a member of a group called Regnum Christi.
See also
In Spanish: Columba Bush para niños
