If you’re looking for George W. Bush on the Sunday morning talk show circuit or anywhere near a political rally, you’re going to be looking for a very long time. Honestly, the man has basically perfected the art of the "Irish Goodbye" when it comes to Washington D.C.
He didn't just leave the White House in 2009; he effectively left the entire political grid.
So, where is George W. Bush now? As of early 2026, he’s still very much a Texan through and through. You’ll find him split between his quiet home in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas and his beloved Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford. At 79 years old, he has settled into a rhythm that looks a lot more like a retired grandfather with a serious art habit than a former Commander in Chief.
The Dallas Life and the "Strategerist"
Most of his "work" days are spent at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus. It’s not just a library with dusty archives. It’s a hive of activity. Just this January, the center has been hosting events ranging from podcasts with Dallas legends like Dirk Nowitzki to serious policy deep-dives into American democracy.
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Bush himself is rarely the one at the podium these days, but his fingerprints are everywhere.
He’s still deeply invested in PEPFAR (the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). It’s arguably his most significant legacy, and in late 2025 and early 2026, the Bush Institute has been working overtime to ensure the program stays funded. While the political world argues over budgets, Bush’s team is pushing to hit the goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. It's personal for him.
Painting, Mountain Bikes, and the Occasional Hot Dog
You've probably seen his paintings by now. What started as a hobby inspired by Winston Churchill—after a suggestion from his daughter Dorothy—has turned into a legitimate second career. He isn't just painting bowls of fruit.
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His book Portraits of Courage features 66 full-color portraits of military veterans he’s come to know personally. He spends hours in his studio. He’s admitted he’s "not a great painter," but he’s "a determined painter." That’s very on-brand for him.
- The Ranch: Crawford is where he goes to sweat. He still mountain bikes, though maybe a bit slower than he did when he was out-riding Secret Service agents in the 2000s.
- Sports: He’s still a fixture at Texas Rangers games. If there’s a big game in Arlington, there’s a 90% chance you’ll see 43 sitting behind home plate, usually with a box of popcorn and Laura by his side.
- The Grandkids: This is the big one. Between Jenna and Barbara’s kids, "Pappy" is kept busy. He’s often spotted at school events or just being the guy who makes the pancakes on Sunday morning.
Why He Won’t Talk About Modern Politics
People always ask why he doesn't speak out more about the current state of the GOP or the latest White House drama. To put it simply: he thinks it’s bad for the office. He has a very old-school view that former presidents shouldn't make life harder for the person currently sitting in the Oval Office.
He’s stayed remarkably disciplined about this. Even when he was heavily criticized during the Obama and Trump years, he kept his mouth shut. He’d rather talk about the "Out of Many, One" exhibit—his collection of paintings featuring American immigrants—than give a soundbite about the latest election cycle.
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He did pop up in the news recently, but for historical reasons. Newly declassified transcripts from his early meetings with Vladimir Putin in 2001 were released in January 2026, giving a weirdly nostalgic look back at a time when world leaders were trying to find common ground against terrorism. It was a reminder of how much the world has changed since he was the one making the calls.
What’s Next for "43"?
Don't expect a comeback. He’s not running for anything, and he’s not looking for a cabinet position.
On February 16, 2026, his museum in Dallas will open its doors for free for Presidents Day. If you happen to be there, you might catch a glimpse of him, but he’s just as likely to be at the ranch, clearing cedar or working on a new canvas.
If you want to follow his actual impact today, stop looking at the news and start looking at the Bush Center’s work in sub-Saharan Africa or their programs for veteran wellness. That’s where he’s actually "at."
Actionable Insight: If you’re interested in the legacy he’s actually building right now, check out the Bush Center’s "The Catalyst" publication. It’s the best way to see the specific policy areas—like economic growth and human freedom—that he’s still quietly funding and supporting from behind the scenes in Dallas.