George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician, businessman, and retired military officer who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the influential Bush political dynasty, he is the eldest son of the 41st President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush. Bush earned a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University in 1968 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1975. Before his political career, he worked in the Texas oil industry, co-founding Arbusto Energy, and was a managing partner for the Texas Rangers baseball team. He was elected the 46th Governor of Texas in 1994, where he implemented education reforms, criminal justice policies including the "Tough Love" probation program, and oversaw a record number of executions.

His presidency was defined by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which led to the launch of the War on Terror and shaped his national security policies. He authorized the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on claims of weapons of mass destruction later found to be nonexistent, resulting in controversy and allegations of misleading intelligence. His domestic policies included the USA PATRIOT Act, establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, tax cuts, the No Child Left Behind Act, and environmental initiatives such as the Clear Skies Initiative. He appointed senior diplomats and national security officials, including Zalmay Khalilzad, and members to cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center board. Internationally, he strengthened ties with Israel, promoted democracy in the Middle East, and in May 2008 appointed Edgar M. Bronfman, Sr. and others to an honorary delegation to Jerusalem for Israel’s 60th anniversary. He also signed the Sudan Peace Act in 2002. His administration faced heavy criticism for its response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and managed the 2008 financial crisis with the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Additionally, he authorized the use of enhanced interrogation techniques including waterboarding in 2002, oversaw policies at Guantanamo Bay, and was associated with controversies such as the Valerie Plame affair and allegations from human rights groups of war crimes and extraordinary renditions.

In 1976, Bush was arrested for driving under the influence in Maine, but the charge was dropped after his father’s intervention; he has no criminal convictions. Following his presidency, Bush has focused on painting, writing memoirs including "Decision Points" (2010), and philanthropy through the George W. Bush Presidential Center. His post-presidential net worth is estimated at $40 million from speeches and book royalties. He remains a polarizing figure, praised for his post-9/11 leadership but criticized for the Iraq War and associated policies. Bush also served in the administration under the Bush presidency.