During a recent appearance on the Today show, actress Brooke Shields shared a funny and surprising story about a late-night visit to the Bush family’s home in Kennebunkport, Maine. The anecdote involves a flooded living room, an unexpected chat with former First Lady Barbara Bush in her nightgown, and a shared love for a popular crime drama, revealing a uniquely personal side of the famous political family.
A Longstanding Bond with the Bush Family
Brooke Shields’ connection with the Bush family is not a recent development. Their friendship began decades ago, creating a bond that felt more like family than a simple acquaintance between a celebrity and a political dynasty.
Shields told Jenna Bush Hager that she first met her grandparents, President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, back in the 1980s when she was very young. This relationship grew into a source of comfort and guidance for the actress.
She explained that the late president took on a grandfatherly role in her life. “I never had a grandfather, so since I was quite young, he would give me boy advice,” Shields shared. This personal connection provided a warmth and support system she valued deeply.
An Unexpected Emergency in Kennebunkport
Years after their friendship began, Shields was invited for what she thought would be a relaxing stay at the Bush family’s estate. However, her quiet evening took a dramatic turn when she discovered a household emergency in progress.
While trying to sneak downstairs late at night for a beer and some quiet time with a puzzle, she was shocked to see water from the ocean rushing into the living room. Her first instinct was to find help immediately.
“I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to tell somebody,’” she recalled. Acting quickly, Shields used towels to try and block the incoming water before going to alert someone in the house about the flooding.
A Surprising Encounter with the First Lady
The first person Shields alerted was none other than Barbara Bush. When she knocked on the bedroom door, she was greeted by a sight she never expected: the former first lady in her nightgown, completely unfazed by the news of a flood.
Instead of panicking, Barbara Bush’s reaction was one of calm curiosity and hospitality. Shields remembered the moment with a laugh, saying, “She’s like, ‘Come in here! Come in here!’”
The urgent matter of the flood seemed to take a backseat to another pressing issue on the former first couple’s minds. They were in the middle of watching a TV show and wanted Shields’ opinion on the mystery.
Watching TV Amidst the Chaos
The situation quickly turned from an emergency into a surreal and humorous family moment. Before she knew it, Shields found herself sitting on the bed between the former president and first lady, engrossed in an episode of Law & Order: SVU.
The conversation was not about the flooding but about the show’s plot. “And he [George H.W. Bush] goes, ‘Well, who do you think did it?’” Shields recounted. Confused but amused, she played along, offering her best guess about the TV mystery.
This bizarre scene highlighted the Bush family’s down-to-earth nature. For a moment, the pressing issue of the flooded living room was forgotten in favor of:
- A classic television crime drama.
- A casual late-night chat.
- A shared moment of relaxation.
It was a completely unscripted and memorable encounter that showcased a different side of the prominent family.
Barbara Bush’s Grateful and Humorous Reaction
Despite the odd timing and casual response to the emergency, Barbara Bush was incredibly grateful for Shields’ quick thinking. She made sure to give the actress full credit for her actions, even if Shields felt she was just doing what anyone would.
“She’s like, ‘Honey, she saved our house!’” Shields said, laughing at the memory. The actress humbly downplayed her role, but the former first lady’s appreciation was clear.
This story remains a cherished memory for Shields, offering a glimpse into the genuine, warm, and often funny private lives of one of America’s most well-known families. It was a perfect example of how an unexpected crisis can lead to an unforgettable, heartwarming story.
