From Political Rivals to Best Friends

(The Atlantic) In early March 2005 in George W. Bushs second term as president former President Bill Clinton underwent chest surgery right around the time that Bush was hosting the Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington D.C. At the dinner Bush gave a lighthearted update on Clintons progress; he told the audience that as Clinton had recovered from his procedure he woke up surrounded by his loved ones: Hillary Chelsea … and my dad." The most notable partnership in the life of former President George H. W. Bush who died Friday at the age of 94 was of course the one he shared with Barbara Bush his wife of 73 years who died in April; they were married longer than any other U.S. president and his spouse. But in the last decade and a half of his life Bush entered into another companionship that would both enrich his personal life and intrigue the public: a close friendship with Clinton. I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed" Clinton wrote in a joint statement with his wife Hillary Clinton after Bushs death. Read More