Former US President George Bush Senior dies at 94

Former US President George HW Bush. /REUTERS
Former US President George HW Bush. /REUTERS

Former US President George HW Bush has died at the age of 94, his son George W Bush has announced.

George Bush Sr, as he was known, passed away on Friday evening, a spokesperson said on behalf of the family.

He was the 41st US president between 1989 and 1993, after serving two terms as vice-president to Ronald Reagan.

In April,

with a blood infection, a week after the death of his wife of 73 years, Barbara.

"Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," George Bush Jr, who went on to serve as the 43rd US president, said in a statement.

"[He] was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for."

On Twitter,

to his fellow Republican's "essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country."

Despite achieving popularity ratings of 90%, Bush was accused of neglecting domestic affairs and was defeated by Bill Clinton in the 1992 election.

He had joined politics in 1964 after starting a Texan oil business and becoming a millionaire by the age of 40.

During World War Two, he was an aviator against the Japanese before being shot down in September 1944 while on a bombing raid.

He is survived by five of his children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two siblings.

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