Alright pop culture fans you know Jenna Bush Hager right? She is always keeping it sunny and fun on the 'Today' show. But guess what? Things got a little spicy and super relatable on 'Today With Jenna & Friends' this week because it's "family week"! And who better to stir up some good-natured sibling rivalry than her twin sister Barbara Bush ? Let's spill the tea on what went down between these famous twins.
Birthday Party Blunder? Barbara Busts Jenna for Secret Celebration Snub on 'Today'
So picture this Jenna and Barbara are guest hosting together answering viewer questions all chummy and sisterly when BAM a question comes in that hits a little too close to home. A viewer wrote in asking for advice on how to tell her twin she wanted to have her own birthday party for once instead of always celebrating together. Sound familiar?
Well Barbara seized the moment like a pro comedian. She playfully called out Jenna RIGHT THERE on national television! Barbara pointed out "We’re twins also and my sissy had a party herself and if she had told me about it I would have been very supportive." Ouch! Sibling shade throwing at its finest!
Jenna bless her heart tried to defend herself saying Barbara was super pregnant at the time and about to pop. Jenna's reasoning? "OK but you had a baby and the baby was supposed to come right around the time the party happened. I didn’t want to stir your mind with thoughts as petty as [this]." Nice save Jenna but Barbara was not letting it go that easily.
Barbara hilariously revealed that she found out about the party through the good old-fashioned grapevine. “Well when you have a lot of the same friends word gets out” she quipped with perfect twin sister sass. Barbara then gave some genuinely good advice to the viewer basically saying "treat your sister like a friend" and just talk to her about it. It was all in good fun though and the sisters laughed it off. You gotta love that twin dynamic!
Barbara Takes Over 'Today': Twin Guest Hosting and a Week of Bush Family Fun
This whole twin sister call-out happened because Barbara is actually guest co-hosting 'Today With Jenna & Friends' for a couple of days this week. How fun is that? And the family fun does not stop there. Later in the week Jenna will be joined by her cousins Wendy Stapleton and Sam Bush LeBlond. It's a full-on Bush family takeover on morning TV!
And to cap it all off get this Jenna's husband Henry Hager is also going to guest co-host later in the week! It’s truly "bring your family to work week" at the 'Today' show and we are here for all the heartwarming and hilarious moments it is sure to bring.
From Maine Wedding to Mommy Life: Inside Barbara Bush's World with Craig Coyne
Beyond the fun TV appearances Barbara Bush has a sweet life of her own with her husband Craig Coyne. They got married back in October 2018 in a small "secret ceremony" in Kennebunkport Maine. It was at the Bush family compound and it sounds super special. Barbara wore a gorgeous silk crepe Vera Wang gown. The reason for the small ceremony? They wanted to make sure Barbara's grandfather former President George H.W. Bush who was not in good health could be there. So thoughtful right?
Interestingly Barbara actually met Craig on a blind date set up by friends including her sister Jenna in November 2017. She said it was so blind she didn't even know what he looked like and accidentally approached two other guys before finding her handsome Craig. It was definitely meant to be. They made long distance work him in L.A. and her in New York before he moved to Manhattan right before their wedding. Talk about commitment!
Six months after their intimate Maine Wedding they had a "big party" in Texas with a second ceremony and reception for over a hundred guests. Two weddings are better than one right?
Now Barbara and Craig are parents to two adorable kids. Their first daughter Cora Georgia was born in September 2021. Barbara's dad former President George W. Bush announced the happy news. Baby Cora's birth had a funny twist Barbara went into labor unexpectedly while in Maine and ended up giving birth at a hospital named after her grandmother Barbara Bush. How full circle is that?
In 2024 they welcomed a son Edward Finn. This time Jenna shared the news online gushing over her "little mister" nephew. Grandpa George W. Bush also posted a sweet announcement calling Edward Finn a "blessing" and mentioning he was named after his great-grandfathers. The Coyne-Bush family is growing and thriving.
Twin Power: Barbara and Jenna's Unbreakable Sister Bond
One thing that really comes through is the super close bond between Barbara and Jenna. Being twins they have a truly unique connection. Jenna has said it's "the luckiest thing in the world" to be a twin. She feels like Barbara has always been there to navigate life with her making her braver and pushing her to do more.
They have a "very shared memory" because they are the same age and have experienced everything together. They even co-authored a book together "Sisters First" sharing stories from their upbringing and have written two children's books about love and family. It is clear these two are more than just sisters they are best friends and true partners in life.
Barbara Bush: Key Facts at a Glance
- Twin Sister: Fraternal twin of Jenna Bush Hager.
- Married To: Craig Coyne (married October 7 2018).
- Children: Cora Georgia Coyne and Edward Finn Coyne.
- Wedding Location: Bush family compound in Kennebunkport Maine.
- Occupation: Co-founder of Global Health Corps.
- 'Today' Show Guest Host: Co-hosted 'Today With Jenna & Friends' March 24 & 25 2025.
- Book Author: Co-authored "Sisters First" and children's books with Jenna Bush Hager.
More Than Just a Twin: Barbara Bush Shines in Her Own Right
While Barbara Bush is definitely known as Jenna's twin sister she is also an accomplished woman in her own right. She is the co-founder of Global Health Corps a non-profit focused on global health equity. She is a strong advocate for social causes and clearly has a big heart. And as we can see from her 'Today' show appearance she has a fun personality and great sense of humor too. Barbara Bush is definitely someone to watch and we are excited to see what she does next both personally and professionally.