Jenna Bush Hager Says She Had to Prove Herself Despite Her Famous Family Background

Jenna Bush Hager says she knows her famous family helped open doors in her television career, but she has also worked hard to prove she belongs.

Speaking on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle on Aug. 12, the 44-year-old co-host discussed the “nepo baby” label and acknowledged that being the daughter of former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush gave her opportunities others may not have had.

“I wouldn’t have been given that opportunity” without her parents, Bush Hager said. She recalled that she first appeared on Today after publishing a book and later returned with her mother. The show eventually hired her as a correspondent in 2009.

Bush Hager said she initially worried that colleagues would believe she was hired only because of her father. She recalled one Today correspondent telling her early on, “We just thought they hired you because of your dad.”

That criticism pushed her to work harder, she said. Over time, however, Bush Hager said she has become more comfortable recognizing both her privilege and her accomplishments.

“I feel lucky to be here, and I’ve also felt like I’ve needed to prove it,” she said.

Bush Hager also reflected on whether her strong work ethic has influenced her children. She said her 13-year-old daughter, Mila, worked at a school during the summer, but she hopes she is not passing on an unhealthy need to overwork.

Since joining Today, Bush Hager has become a co-host, launched the Read with Jenna book club, written children’s books, founded the Thousand Voices publishing imprint and taken on an executive producer role for NBC’s upcoming drama Line of Fire.