Jenna Bush Hager facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jenna Bush Hager
Hager in 2017
Born	Jenna Welch Bush (1981-11-25) November 25, 1981 (age 43) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Texas at Austin (BA)
Occupation	Author television presenter
Years active	2000–present
Television	Today correspondent (2009–present) Today with Hoda & Jenna co-anchor (2019–2025) Today with Jenna & Friends (2025–present)
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Henry Hager ​ (m. 2008)​
Children	3
Parent(s)	George W. Bush Laura Bush
Family	Bush family

Jenna Welch Bush Hager is an American news personality, author, and journalist. She was born on November 25, 1981. Jenna is well-known as the host of Today with Jenna & Friends, which is part of NBC's morning news program, Today.

Jenna and her twin sister, Barbara, are the daughters of the 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush. She is also the granddaughter of the 41st U.S. President George H. W. Bush. After her father's time as president ended, Jenna became an author and a television personality. She has been a correspondent, contributor, and co-host on The Today Show.

Early Life and Schooling

Jenna (in pink) and Barbara Bush with their parents in 1990

Jenna Welch Bush was born in Dallas, Texas, on November 25, 1981. She was named after her grandmother, Jenna Hawkins Welch. When she was young, Jenna and her sister Barbara went to school in Dallas.

In 1994, her family moved to Austin, Texas, after her father became the Governor of Texas. Jenna attended St. Andrew's Episcopal School and later Austin High School, where she graduated in 2000. After her father became President in 2001, she studied at the University of Texas at Austin. She also took summer classes at New York University. Jenna graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004 with a degree in English.

Involvement in the 2004 Presidential Election

Jenna Bush (second from right) watches her father take the oath on Inauguration Day on January 20, 2005.

At first, Jenna and her sister Barbara were not sure about their father running for President in 2000. However, in 2003, they decided to get involved in the 2004 campaign.

During the summer of 2004, Jenna made several public appearances. She and her sister gave a speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention on August 31, 2004. They traveled to different states with their father to support his campaign. Jenna also shared that she and Barbara became friends with John Kerry's daughters, Alexandra and Vanessa, who were campaigning for their own father.

Career Highlights

Working as a Teacher and Author

Before leaving Washington, D.C. in 2006, Jenna worked as a teacher's aide at a public charter school. She also took time to work at a shelter as part of an internship with UNICEF in Latin America, specifically Panama. After her internship, she returned to her teaching position. She has also worked as a part-time reading coordinator and has shared news stories about education on the Today show.

Jenna Hager (left), with her mother, her twin sister, and Elmo, at the Sesame Workshop Fifth Annual Benefit Dinner (2007)

In 2007, Jenna wrote a book called Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope. This book shares her experiences working with UNICEF charities in Latin America. A large part of the money from the book sales went to UNICEF and to help the young woman whose life inspired the book continue her education. Jenna also wrote a second book with her mother, Laura Bush, called Read All About It!, which came out in 2008. This book was written to encourage children to read. In 2012, Jenna became an editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine.

Television Career at NBC News

Since 2009, Jenna Bush Hager has been a correspondent and anchor for NBC News and Today. She joined The Today Show in August 2009. Over time, her role on Today grew. She often filled in as an anchor and substitute host for different segments of the show.

Jenna Hager reading at her late grandfather's funeral service (2018)

In 2018, Jenna interviewed Michelle Obama. They talked about life in the White House and raising children in the public eye. Michelle Obama also shared that despite their political differences, Jenna's father, George W. Bush, is a "beautiful, funny, kind, sweet man."

In March 2019, Jenna started "Read with Jenna," a monthly book club on Today Show. In April 2019, she began co-hosting the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb. In 2021, Jenna spoke emotionally on air about the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, sharing her deep respect for the building and its history. In February 2023, she announced her third book, Love Comes First.

Sports Investment

In February 2021, Jenna Bush Hager, along with Chelsea Clinton and other notable women, became part of an investment group. This group invested in the Washington Spirit professional soccer club, which is part of the National Women's Soccer League.

Read with Jenna Book Club Picks

Jenna Bush Hager's book club, "Read with Jenna," started in March 2019 on the Today Show. Here are some of the books she has featured:

In 2022, Jenna expanded her book club to include children's books, called Read with Jenna Jr. In September 2023, she launched a podcast called "Open Book with Jenna," where she interviews authors.

Personal Life and Family

Barbara Bush (left), Laura Bush, newlyweds Henry and Jenna Hager, and George W. Bush shortly after the wedding ceremony on May 10, 2008, at the Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, Texas

Jenna met Henry Chase Hager during the 2004 presidential campaign. They got engaged in August 2007. Before proposing, Henry asked President Bush for permission to marry his daughter. Their relationship became public in November 2005 when they attended a White House dinner together.

Henry Hager worked as an aide for the U.S. Department of Commerce and at the White House. His father, John H. Hager, was a former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Jenna and Henry were married in a private ceremony on May 10, 2008, at her parents' ranch near Crawford, Texas. Henry and Jenna Hager have three children.

Jenna Bush Hager, like her twin sister Barbara, prefers not to identify with a specific political party. In 2010, they shared that they are "very independent thinkers." Jenna also serves on the board of the Greenwich International Film Festival.

See also

In Spanish: Jenna Hager para niños

• New Yorkers in journalism
• Today (U.S. TV program)#Today Fourth Hour