Jenna Bush Hager Biography
Jenna Bush Hager is an American media personality serving as the co-host of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna. She is also an author and the founder of Read with Jenna, a monthly book club on Today Show. She joined TODAY as a correspondent and contributor in August 2009.
Jenna Bush Hager Age
Hager is 42 years old as of May 2024. She was born on 25 November 1981, in Dallas, Texas, United States.
Jenna Bush Hager Height/Weight
She stands at a height of 1.73 m. However, her weight is undisclosed.
Jenna Bush Hager Nationality
She holds American nationality.
Jenna Bush Hager Education
Hager attended Preston Hollow Elementary School and then The Hockaday School. In 1994, after her father was elected Governor of Texas and the family moved to Austin, Texas, Hager joined St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and later Austin High School, from 1996 until her graduation in 2000.
After graduating from high school, Hager attended the University of Texas at Austin and took summer classes at New York University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated in 2004. She was a legacy member of Kappa Alpha Theta, her mother’s sorority.
Jenna Bush Hager Parents
Jenna is the daughter of the 43rd U.S. President, George W. Bush, and former First Lady Laura Bush. She is also the granddaughter of the 41st U.S. President, George H. W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush. Additionally, she is the great-granddaughter of former U.S. Senator Prescott Bush, the niece of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and the first cousin of former Land Commissioner of Texas, George P. Bush. Jenna was named after her maternal grandmother, Jenna Hawkins Welch. She has a fraternal twin sister named Barbara.
Jenna Bush Hager Husband
Jenna is married to Henry Chase Hager. The couple got married in 2008 at Jenna’s family ranch in Texas. Jenna fondly recalled the wedding, mentioning that she remembered seeing Henry standing at a cross that her dad had helped build for them. They first met in 2004 when Henry worked for Jenna’s father, former President George W. Bush. Jenna was a staff assistant to the senior advisor at the White House from 2001 to 2003. Despite hitting it off immediately, Jenna humorously shared a story about her “worst date” with Henry, involving the Secret Service. She mentioned, “My worst first date involved the Secret Service, let’s just leave it at that. It was with Henry, and his car ran out of gas and went backward and hit the Secret Service.”
Everything ended up working out for the pair. In 2020, Jenna told Hoda Kotb how she knew that Henry was right for her. “I do think one of the reasons why I knew Henry was the one is because I was completely myself, and he loved it,” she said.
She also shared the beautiful story behind Henry’s proposal on TODAY. “We hiked to Cadillac Mountain, which is the first place the sun hits the United States. When the sun rose, he proposed.”
Jenna Bush Hager Kids
Jenna has been married since 2008 and has three children with her husband, Henry Chase Hager. Their firstborn, Margaret Laura ‘Mila’ Hager, was born in April 2013. In August 2015, the couple welcomed their second child, Poppy Louise Hager, named after her great-grandfather, George Bush Sr., whose name growing up was Poppy. Their youngest, Henry Harold ‘Hal’ Hager, was born in August 2019. According to Jenna’s interview on TODAY, his older sisters helped name him. “We weren’t exactly sure about the name, Then his big sisters called him ‘Hal pal,’ and we thought, ‘This is just perfect,’” she said.
The three children have a very close relationship with each other. “Mila and Poppy came and picked him out in the nursery, and they’re just crazy about him. The girls are so thrilled that they have a little baby brother all of their own,” Jenna added.
She also explained the meaning behind his name when she spoke to People. “We are overcome with joy to welcome Henry Harold ‘Hal’ Hager into this world! He is named Henry after many on his father’s side, including his dear dad and his paternal grandfather. Harold comes from my maternal grandfather, Pa, whom I loved dearly and was unable to keep a son long enough to name.
Jenna Bush Hager NBC News
Hager is the co-host of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, alongside Hoda Kotb. She joined TODAY as a correspondent and contributor in August 2009. Over time, her role expanded, including filling in as the orange room anchor during the 7 AM-9 AM hours and substituting for Kathie Lee Gifford or Hoda Kotb during the fourth hour.
In 2018, Hager interviewed Michelle Obama, discussing her life in the White House, the challenges of raising her daughters in the spotlight, and her book, “Becoming.” They also talked about the political atmosphere and bipartisanship, with Obama stating that, despite their political differences, Hager’s father, George W. Bush, is a “beautiful, funny, kind, sweet man.”
In April 2019, Hager began co-anchoring the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb, following Kathie Lee Gifford’s departure. In 2021, Hager reacted emotionally to the storming of the United States Capitol, stating live on air: “I have had the privilege of standing on those steps for several inaugurations, not just for family members but for the first black president of the United States of America. I kissed my grandfather goodbye in that rotunda. I have felt the majesty of our country in those walls, and nobody can take that from any of us.”
Hager announced her third book, “Love Comes First,” in February 2023, and sources reported “Jenna’s Top Picks” and other endorsement deals.
Jenna Bush Hager Book Club
In March 2019, Jenna launched Read with Jenna, a monthly book club on the Today Show. Since its inception, she has selected a new book every month to share with the Read With Jenna book club. Jenna diligently selects stories that aim to delight, entertain, and challenge readers. She also recognizes the influence of a good book in bringing communities together and sparking conversations.
Jenna Bush Hager Salary
Hager receives an average annual salary of $4 million according to Women’s Health.
Jenna Bush Hager Net Worth
Hager has an estimated net worth of $14 million as of May 2024 according to parade.com.
