Jenna Bush Hager’s Emotional Journey: How Dad George W. Bush Shaped Her TV Star Heart

Jenna Bush Hager, the vivacious co-host of Today With Jenna & Friends, has peeled back the curtain on her relationship with her father, former President George W. Bush, revealing a tender side to the man often seen as a stern leader. Beneath the political spotlight, a heartwarming story of family, vulnerability, and encouragement emerges, showing how George’s fatherly wisdom helped mold Jenna into the authentic, emotional powerhouse we see on television today.

In a recent episode of her show, Jenna, 43, opened up about her younger years, sharing a relatable tale of teenage struggles and kitchen-table meltdowns. “There was a period of time when I made bad grades,” she confessed, laughing as she recalled heated math sessions with her dad. “We’d get in big fights, and I’d cry myself to sleep.” Far from the stoic commander-in-chief, George was a hands-on dad, sitting patiently (or not so patiently) at the kitchen table, trying to drill algebra into his daughter’s head. Those moments, though fraught with tears, painted a picture of a father deeply invested in his daughter’s growth, even if it led to a few shouting matches.

But it’s a more recent memory that truly tugs at the heartstrings. When Jenna landed her dream gig as co-host of the Today Show in 2019, she didn’t celebrate with champagne or confidence—she called her dad in a panic. Most would assume a former president, swamped with global affairs, might brush off his daughter’s nerves with a curt, “You’ll be fine.” Not George. At 79, he took the time to listen, offering words so profound they became a cornerstone of Jenna’s on-screen persona. “He was happy for me,” Jenna recalled, though he jokingly reminded her that her co-star, Hoda Kotb, was “the star.” His encouragement didn’t stop there. When Hoda announced her departure from the Today Show after 26 years, Jenna, overwhelmed, called her dad again, sobbing. “He thought something really awful [happened],” she shared, but George calmly reassured her: “She’s leaving because it’s time, and you’re going to be fine. It’s your turn. It’s OK.”

These precious moments reveal a George W. Bush the public rarely saw—a dad who, despite his high-stakes career, prioritized his daughter’s emotional needs. Those phone calls, filled with gentle wisdom, gave Jenna the courage to embrace her role, transforming her fear into the raw, heartfelt authenticity that defines her on Today. Whether she’s laughing with guests or tearing up over personal stories, Jenna’s ability to connect stems from her father’s support, proving that even a president’s daughter needs a dad to lean on.

Now a mother of three—Mila, 12, Poppy, 10, and Hal, 6—Jenna carries her father’s lessons forward, balancing vulnerability and strength. Her story reminds us that behind every public figure is a family, and for Jenna, it’s her dad’s love that lights up her star power.