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Former First Lady Barbara Bush hospitalized

The former first lady was admitted to Methodist Hospital for “respiratory-related issues,” according to a family spokesman.
First Lady Barbara Bush, January 1992

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former President George H.W. Bush tweeted a thank you on Thursday to Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton for extending well wishes to his hospitalized wife, Barbara Bush.

The former first lady was admitted to Methodist Hospital for “respiratory-related issues” on Monday, according to family spokesman Jim McGrath. As of Wednesday, Barbara Bush was still hospitalized and McGrath said there had been no change in her condition since she was admitted.

“Barbara thanks @BarackObama & @BillClinton for their get-well wishes and is heeding their advice,” George H.W. Bush tweeted. “Doesnt happen w every President she knows!”

On Wednesday, Obama said that he and first lady Michelle Obama send their “best wishes to Mrs. Bush for a speedy recovery.”

“Barbara is blessed to have both a loving, supportive family by her side and a vibrant spirit that we hope will have her feeling better soon,” Obama said in a statement. “I know I speak for Americans everywhere when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and her family on this New Year’s Day.”

Former President Clinton — who has become very close with the Bushes over the past decade despite defeating George H.W. Bush in 1992 — tweeted his thoughts to Barbara Bush on Wednesday.

“I’ll be rooting for Barbara Bush’s full recovery while she’s rooting for Baylor today. All my best to her and @GeorgeHWBush,” he tweeted.

Clinton has become so close to the Bush family that in April, at the unveiling of President George W. Bush’s presidential library, he joked that Barbara Bush was like his mother.

The fact that George H.W. Bush used twitter to thank the leaders was also noteworthy.

Since joining the social networking site in December, Bush has only sent two other tweets — one honoring the late South African President Nelson Mandela and another honoring those who serve in the military.

CNN’s Dan Merica, Ashley Killough and Jim Acosta contributed to this report.

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