Politics Politician Families Jenna Bush Hager Says George W. Bush Is 'Doing Great' as She Recalls How They Spent the Last Eclipse (Exclusive) Bush Hager was missing her loved ones — including her father and late grandparents — during the 2024 solar eclipse, telling PEOPLE that the last eclipse turned into a family affair By Dory Jackson Dory Jackson Dory Jackson is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE's TV News team. Upon joining the brand in March 2021, she has had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She has also helped recap popular TV shows like 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' 'Sister Wives' and 'Vanderpump Rules.' The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus on Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 9, 2024 01:43PM EDT Jenna Bush Hager and George W. Bush on April 20, 2021. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Jenna Bush Hager offered an update on her father, former President George W. Bush, as he maintains a relatively low profile in Texas. During a solar eclipse viewing party at New York City's American Museum of Natural History on April 8, the Today co-host told PEOPLE that her father, 77, is "doing great." Jenna Bush Hager Reveals Father George W. Bush Underwent Back Surgery Before Bouncing World Series Pitch Thinking about her dad — who was not at the event — Bush Hager, 42, took a moment to reminisce on how she and the former president celebrated the previous solar eclipse nearly seven years ago. "I watched the last eclipse in 2017 with he and my baby kids and my grandparents," she said. "So I'm missing all of them today." At the time, Bush Hager's daughters Mila and Poppy were just 4 and 2 years old. Her grandparents, former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, died the following year before the birth of her son, Hal, in 2019. Jenna Bush speaks to her grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, during the 2004 Republican National Convention. AP Photo/Ed Reinke In November, Bush Hager revealed on Today with Hoda & Jenna that her dad underwent back surgery in 2023, potentially explaining why he bounced the ceremonial first pitch at the World Series opener in October. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A spokesperson for President Bush soon confirmed the procedure to PEOPLE. "President Bush isn't one to make excuses, but that's true — he did have fusion surgery on his lower back early this year," the spokesperson said at the time. "He continues to recover well and in fact is looking forward to riding mountain bikes with wounded warriors at his ranch on Veterans Day weekend."