Barbara Bush Stamp Unveiled at The White House

At the White House on Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service revealed the artwork of a commemorative Forever stamp to celebrate the centennial year of former first lady Barbara Bush’s birth. The first lady grew up in Rye.

The stamp design was unveiled by first lady Melania Trump; Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch, daughter of Barbara Bush; Alice Yates, CEO of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation; and Judy de Torok, vice president of Corporate Affairs at the Postal Service.

The dedication ceremony for the Barbara Bush stamp will be held June 10 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the former first lady’s birth and the culmination of her centennial year. The event will take place at Ganny’s Garden in Kennebunkport, ME.

“Today, we recognize Mrs. Bush not only as a beloved First Lady, but as a remarkable American in her own right,” said Judy de Torok, vice president of Corporate Affairs at the Postal Service. “In 1989, Mrs. Bush visited a hospice and cradled a child dying from AIDS. At that time, even touching someone with AIDS was not only stigmatized but feared. In that moment, she encouraged the country to look past the disease and see the suffering child. In that vision, she helped shift people’s perceptions about the disease and changed an entire nation’s conversation when that her son, George W. Bush would later continue in his presidency… Perhaps what Mrs. Bush is most remembered for is her plain spoken honesty, sharp and often self deprecating sense of humor and authenticity.”

“It is within the privacy of our homes and the principles of morality, ambition and empathy take root,” said first lady Melania Trump. “The family unit serves as our first line of foresight, often more influential than the decision made in Washington, DC. Barbara Buch’s iconic commencement address at Wellesley College in 1990 remains an important moment in the conversation surrounding women’s role in society. Her message, which emphasized the importance of family and personal integrity encouraged women to carve their own paths in life.”

“Today we recognize Mrs. Bush not only as a beloved first lady, but as a remarkable American in her own right,” said Doug Tulino, acting postmaster general of the Postal Service, in a statement. “She charted a legacy for herself, and did it with conviction, determination, and compassion.”

Bush Koch spoke on behalf of the Bush family about the stamp and her mother’s lasting commitment to literacy.

“We are deeply honored that the United States Postal Service is paying tribute to our mother with a commemorative Forever stamp,” said Bush Koch. “This special stamp serves as a lasting reminder of Barbara Bush’s enduring love for family and friends, sharp wit and unwavering commitment to solve the problems of today by ensuring that every man, woman and child has the opportunity to read, write and comprehend.”

Barbara Pierce Bush (1925-2018), wife of George H. W. Bush, the 41st president, was first lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993, and mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd president.

Born in New York City, the future first lady grew up in Rye, NY, and attended boarding school in South Carolina. At 16, she met her future husband, George H.W. Bush, at a Christmas dance in Connecticut, where he was on holiday break from a Massachusetts boarding school, and they began corresponding through letters. Eighteen months later, they were engaged.

George and Barbara Bush were married on Jan. 6, 1945. While Mr. Bush was a student at Yale, Mrs. Bush gave birth to their first child, George W., on July 6, 1946. Their second child, daughter Robin, died of leukemia at age 3, devastating the family. Between 1953 and 1959, Mrs. Bush gave birth to four more children: Jeb in 1953, Neil in 1955, Marvin in 1956 and Dorothy in 1959.

The start of her 54 years of campaigning for her family and allies came in 1962 when Mr. Bush ran for chairman of the Harris County, TX, Republican Party. In the following decades, Mr. Bush would go on to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee, head of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency before becoming president. In all, the Bushes moved around 30 times as the family followed Mr. Bush’s military, business and political pursuits, with Mrs. Bush always steadfast in support of her husband and children.

After losing the Republican nomination for president in 1980, Mr. Bush was named as Ronald Reagan’s vice presidential running mate. With their victory, Mrs. Bush became second lady. Motivated by her son Neil’s dyslexia, she championed literacy issues. In 1984, Mrs. Bush wrote her first children’s book, “C. Fred’s Story,” told from the perspective of her cocker spaniel, with proceeds going to two national literacy programs.

With Barbara Bush at his side throughout the campaign, Mr. Bush ran for president in 1988, and won the election, becoming president on Jan. 20, 1989.

The Barbara Bush stamp is based on detail from the official 2005 White House portrait, which is part of the White House Collection and appears courtesy of The White House Historical Association. The stamp is being issued in panes of 20. Presale of the Barbara Bush Commemorative stamp will begin on Saturday, May 10.

Dedication Ceremony Information

What: The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the life of former first lady Barbara Bush with the issuance of a Forever stamp.

When: June 10, 2025, 11 a.m. ET

Where: Ganny’s Garden on the River Green 48 Ocean Ave. Kennebunkport, ME 04046

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at: usps.com/barbarabushstamp

Watch the ceremony: