INTRODUCTION
Jenna Welch Bush Hager, commonly known as Jenna Bush Hager, stands out as a multi‑faceted public figure who has built a rich career beyond her identity as the daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush. Born on November 25, 1981, in Dallas, Texas, she has carved her own path as a television personality, author, journalist, and editor. Today, she is best known for her work on NBC’s Today show — particularly as co‑host of its fourth hour — and for founding and nurturing the hugely popular Read with Jenna book club. In recent years, she has expanded her literary influence by launching her own publishing imprint, Thousand Voices Books.
1. FAMILY BACKGROUND AND EARLY LIFE
Jenna Bush Hager comes from a family deeply embedded in American political history. She is the daughter of George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, and Laura Bush, former First Lady. She was born into a family that had already shaped the nation’s political landscape: her grandfather, George H. W. Bush, served as the 41st U.S. president, and her great‑grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. senator. Jenna’s fraternal twin sister is Barbara Pierce Bush.
Growing up, Jenna experienced both the private world of family life and the public scrutiny that comes with living in one of the most high‑profile households in the country. Her earliest years were spent in Dallas, Texas, where she began elementary school before her family moved to Austin when her father became Governor of Texas. During her teenage years, she attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and later graduated from Austin High School in 2000.
The 1990s and early 2000s were formative times for Jenna, coming of age during her father’s tenure as governor and then President. This period exposed her to politics and public life, shaping her understanding of service, public representation, and communication.
2. EDUCATION AND EARLY ADULTHOOD
After high school, Jenna enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where she pursued a degree in English — an academic foundation that would later inform her writing ventures. She also took summer courses at New York University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English in 2004. While at UT Austin, she joined Kappa Alpha Theta, her mother’s sorority.
During her college years, Jenna navigated a complex public persona — balancing normal student experiences and the spotlight that came with being part of America’s “First Family.” Like many young adults, she encountered challenges along the way; in 2001 she faced misdemeanor charges related to underage alcohol possession and the use of a fake ID, incidents that drew significant media attention at the time. She later handled the consequences and continued her academic and personal growth.
Her early adulthood also included service and humanitarian efforts when she worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Latin America — an experience that would shape her future writing aspirations.
Jenna’s first major foray into writing was Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope, published in 2007. The book emerged from her work with UNICEF, documenting her experiences in Latin America and the life of a young mother named Ana, who lives with HIV. Rather than writing a detached journalistic account, Jenna centered Ana’s voice and experience, spotlighting difficult social realities while conveying resilience and hope. All profits from Jenna’s share were directed back to UNICEF, while the remainder supported Ana’s education.
The book’s publication was notable for its ambition and generosity, combining personal narrative, social advocacy, and charitable support. It was also published with a substantial initial print run, indicating strong interest in the project.
3.2 Children’s and Collaborative Works
Following Ana’s Story, Jenna collaborated with her mother, Laura Bush, on Read All About It! in 2008 — a children’s book encouraging reading among young audiences. Over the years, she has authored and co‑authored several children’s titles and books that explore family life, resilience, and inspiration. She wrote books like Our Great Big Backyard (2016) and Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life (2017), co‑written with her twin sister, which reflect on their shared experiences and perspectives. Other works include Everything Beautiful in Its Time: Seasons of Love and Loss (2020) and Love Comes First (co‑written with Barbara Bush).
These literary efforts reveal Jenna’s commitment to storytelling that connects personal narrative with universal themes — from family relationships to childhood exploration and love.
4. CAREER IN TELEVISION AND JOURNALISM
4.1 Joining NBC and Today
In 2009, Jenna took a major step into television journalism by joining NBC News as a correspondent and contributor for The Today Show. Her transition from writing and education to broadcast media was fueled by her communicative ability and the confidence to engage with diverse audiences.
4.2 Fourth Hour Co‑Host
In 2019, Jenna was named co‑host of Today’s fourth hour — initially titled Today with Hoda & Jenna — alongside longtime Today personality Hoda Kotb, replacing Kathie Lee Gifford. This appointment marked a major milestone in her broadcasting career, elevating her from contributor and correspondent to a daily co‑anchor position.
Their chemistry resonated with audiences who appreciated the conversational tone of the show. Jenna’s affable on‑air presence, humor, and ability to navigate discussions about books, parenting, culture, and life helped cement the show’s popularity.
As of early 2026, the show has gone through changes, including Kotb’s departure and the rotation of guest co‑hosts, before the announcement that Sheinelle Jones would join Jenna as a permanent co‑host on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle at the start of 2026 — marking a new chapter in the program’s evolution.
5. READ WITH JENNA: LITERARY INFLUENCE
One of Jenna’s most significant contributions to contemporary cultural life is her Read with Jenna book club, launched on Today in March 2019. The book club operates as a monthly spotlight on a chosen title, inviting readers nationwide to engage with diverse literature.
By 2025, the club had grown into a thriving community with tens of thousands of members (over 86,000 in its Facebook group alone) and a track record of spotlighting books that go on to achieve New York Times bestseller status and attract media adaptations. Authors previously featured include literary figures such as Laila Lalami, Megan Abbott, and Jean Kwok. Jenna’s selections span genres and themes, reflecting both broad appeal and thoughtful consideration of quality storytelling.
The cultural impact of the club is substantial: by highlighting and championing books, Jenna has helped increase readership, expand conversations around literature, and bring attention to authors who might otherwise struggle in a crowded media landscape. Many books chosen for Read with Jenna have experienced significant commercial and critical success after being featured.
6. EXPANDING TO PUBLISHING: THOUSAND VOICES BOOKS
Jenna has continued to evolve her influence in the literary world. In 2025, she announced the launch of her own publishing imprint, Thousand Voices Books, in partnership with Random House Publishing Group. This venture builds on the foundation laid by her book club — not just recommending books, but actively publishing them across genres including memoir, literary fiction, romance, and historical work.
The imprint aims to amplify diverse voices and bring compelling stories to readers, with Jenna taking a hands‑on role in editorial decisions, cover design plans, marketing, and promotional strategies. This move positions her among other influential publishing voices, bridging television, community engagement, and publishing entrepreneurship.
As part of the imprint’s early slate, books scheduled for release include works such as Laws of Love and Logic
Continue reading…
