These Politicians Have Battled Through Chronic Health Issues - Page 7 of 32

George H.W. Bush

George Bush Sr. almost died from a staph infection. He suffered from arthritis, bleeding ulcers and cysts throughout his life, was hospitalized for atrial fibrillation in 1991 and was eventually diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Despite all of this, he was the youngest Navy Aviator in history (at the time), and served as Vice President to Ronald Reagan for eight years before succeeding him as President in 1989.