DALLAS _ Former President George H.W. Bush held the hand of his wife of nearly three quarters of a century as she "left this good earth" Tuesday.
Barbara Bush died at 92 after ceasing medical treatment.
Jean Becker, chief of staff for George H.W. Bush's office, said in a statement tweeted by the family's spokesman that Bush was "broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara."
"He held her hand all day today and was at her side when (she) left this good earth," Becker said. "Obviously, this is a very challenging time. But it will not surprise all of you who know and love him that he also is being stoic and strong and is being lifted up by his large and supportive family."
Barbara Bush dropped out of Smith College in 1944 and married her husband weeks later in January 1945. She often joked that she married the first man she ever kissed.
The couple had five children, 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In the March edition of the Smith College alumnae magazine, Barbara Bush wrote, "I am still old and still in love with the man I married 72 years ago."
Granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager marveled at the couple's long relationship on the "Today" show on Monday, saying that "I think the fact that they're together and that he still says, 'I love you, Barbie' every night is pretty remarkable."
