George H.W. Bush Hospitalized

On Tuesday evening, former president George H.W. Bush, 90, was taken to a Houston, Texas hospital as a "precaution" after experiencing shortness of breath. In a statement, the Bush family spokesman added that the elder Bush had been taken via ambulance, and would be held for observation — "again, as a precaution." In late 2012, Bush spent two months in the same hospital fighting a bout of bronchitis.

The White House said the president and First Lady, who are spending the holidays in Hawaii, had been notified. "President Obama and the first lady send their good wishes to the former president and the entire Bush family during this holiday season," said White House spokesperson Eric Schultz.

Even at 90, and even having lost the use of his legs to a form of Parkinson's disease, the Bush patriarch shows no signs of slowing down. For his 90th birthday in June, he went skydiving — just as he had for his 85th, 80th, and 75th birthdays — Tweeting, "It's a wonderful day in Maine — in fact, nice enough for a parachute jump." He's made two public appearances this month alone, and in November was adorably caught on the Kiss Cam at a Houston basketball came with Barbara Bush.

The 41st president is also revving up for another shot at Bush presidency in 2016, when Jeb Bush may or may not be the Republican nominee for the country's 45th president. He announced he'll run earlier this month — well, is "actively exploring" it, but there's no need to tiptoe around it, Jeb — which could (be still our beating hearts) quite possibly pit him against Hillary Clinton. Still, it's early days, so we won't get out our "Hillary 2016" shirts just yet.

Fun fact: The elder Bush is the oldest living former president. And no doubt he'll be out of hospital soon, preparing for both his 95th birthday skydive and the very real possibility of another Bush run.

Images: WCVB Boston