A Presidential Record: George and Barbara Bush Celebrate 71st Wedding Anniversary

Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara set a milestone Wednesday as they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary, extending their reign as the longest-married presidential couple.

George Bush, who was raised in Greenwich, was 16 years old when he met Barbara Pierce of nearby Rye, NY at a holiday dance in 1941. They became engaged before Bush was shipped overseas as a U.S. Navy pilot during World War II and then married in Rye, on Jan. 6, 1945 while he was on leave.

To honor the 41st President, who often returned to his hometown to visit his family, his son Jeb Bush tweeted on Wednesday:

Team Jeb!
@TeamJebBush

71 years ago today, @GeorgeHWBush & then Barbara Pierce were married in Rye, N.Y. Happy Anniversary!

Barbara Bush is quoted by The Houston Chronicle as saying she married the first man she ever kissed.

The Bushes set the longest-wed presidential couple record in 2000 when they surpassed John and Abigail Adams’ 54-year marriage.

Photo: George H.W. Bush via Twitter on Jan. 6, 2015; The Bushes at their wedding Jan.6, 1945. Credit: George H.W. Bush via Facebook.