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Former first lady Barbara Bush hospitalized

Posted at 9:54 PM, Dec 31, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-31 21:54:37-05

(CNN) — Former first lady Barbara Bush has been hospitalized in Houston, Texas, for treatment of a “respiratory-related issue,” a family spokesman said Tuesday.

Bush, 88, was admitted Monday at Methodist Hospital, spokesman Jim McGrath said in a written statement.

“She is in great spirits, has already received visits from her husband and family, and is receiving fantastic care,” the statement said. “Updates will be issued when warranted.”

CNN was first alerted to Bush’s hospitalization by tweets from affiliate KPRC.

In 2010, Bush was hospitalized for what doctors at the time described as a recurrence of Graves’ disease, which she was first diagnosed with in 1988.

Bush underwent heart surgery in 2009 after doctors found hardening in one part of her aorta.

In 2008, she was hospitalized after suffering abdominal pain. She underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer.