Jenna Bush Hager Shares Heartwarming Details of Her Love Story with Henry Hager

NEW YORK, NY — Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY, opened up about her romantic journey with husband Henry Chase Hager, delving into the formative moments of their relationship.

The couple first crossed paths in 2004, during former President George W. Bush‘s re-election campaign. Hager was working on the campaign committee and met Jenna while visiting the White House for a football game. At that time, Jenna, then a teacher in Washington, D.C., expressed her initial attraction to Henry, even though he was dating someone else.

By the time of President Bush’s second inauguration in January 2005, Jenna and Henry were officially dating. According to a close friend of Henry’s who spoke in 2008, “On Election Day, they were friends. By Inaugural, they were an item.”

As their relationship blossomed, Jenna and Henry quickly became inseparable, attending inaugural parties and various White House events. Surprisingly, former First Lady Laura Bush remarked that she didn’t see Henry as a serious boyfriend, but the couple proved her wrong when they became engaged in 2007.

“I proposed to Henry after several cocktails,” Jenna later recounted in August 2023. “He said no, but then five years later we got married. He didn’t say no — he was just like, ‘Uh uh uh.’”

Henry’s engagement proposal to Jenna took place in Maine, where he arranged a sunrise hike at Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Dressed in anticipation, they reached the summit just as the sun began to rise, when he asked her to be his wife.

On May 10, 2008, Jenna and Henry tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at the Bush family ranch in Crawford, Texas. Following the wedding, President Bush expressed his pride, stating at a press conference, “Our little girl, Jenna, married a really good guy.”

The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Margaret Laura “Mila” Hager, in April 2013. This was followed by the births of their son and another daughter in August 2015 and August 2019, respectively. Their family life, highlighted by love and support, continues to thrive as Jenna often shares joyous updates about her life with Henry.

Reflecting on their love, Jenna shared, “Your love is like the Post-it note with stick figure drawings of ships passing that you left for me on the bathroom mirror when I returned home late. I’d been flying most of the day and I was dehydrated and thirsty for home, for you.” Jenna characterized their love as “simple and solid and thoughtful,” indicating an enduring bond.

In addition to sharing glimpses of their personal life, Jenna recently announced that her upcoming episodes of Jenna & Friends will feature family members, including her husband and twin sister, Barbara. The special episodes are set to air from March 24 to 28, as Jenna invites her family on stage to co-host.