Jenna Bush Hager Opens Up About the Power of Sisterhood and the Bond That Shaped Her Life

For Today with Hoda & Jenna co-host Jenna Bush Hager, family has always been her anchor — and at the heart of that bond is her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jenna revealed just how deeply Barbara has influenced every step of her journey — from childhood to motherhood to her thriving career in media and literature.

“She makes me feel brave and empowered,” Jenna said warmly, describing Barbara as her lifelong source of confidence and courage. “She was the first hand I held.” Growing up together as the daughters of former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, the twins experienced life under an extraordinary spotlight, but Jenna insists their connection remained grounded in something much more real — unconditional love, fierce loyalty, and shared laughter.

Speaking at her Creator Book Club event in New York, Jenna reflected on how sisterhood — both her own and the one portrayed in Coco Mellors’ novel Blue Sisters — continues to shape her worldview. “Having a twin has informed every decision I’ve ever made,” she explained. “Sisterhood isn’t perfect; it’s raw, it’s flawed, but it’s also where you find home.”

For Jenna, literature and family are intertwined. She recalls her and Barbara’s shared passion for reading — a habit nurtured since childhood by their parents. “We were major readers,” she said, laughing. “I recommend books to her all the time. She’s reading Blue Sisters now, and she loved it.”

Their bond hasn’t just been about comfort; it’s been a foundation for bravery. Jenna admitted that without her sister’s belief in her, she might not have pursued her dreams — including starting her Read with Jenna book club, which has grown into a nationwide literary community. “Barbara was my first audience,” Jenna said. “Even when we were teenagers throwing shoes at each other’s heads, I always knew she was in my corner.”

But their relationship is also filled with humor — something that runs deep in the Bush family. Jenna shared a recent story about moderating an event where her father, President Bush, playfully roasted her in front of former President Barack Obama, teasing her about her youthful missteps. The moment, Jenna joked, was a perfect example of her family’s love language: laughter.

Now, as both sisters raise families of their own, their connection has only deepened. They still rely on each other — not just as twins, but as women navigating life, motherhood, and identity in the public eye.

Through it all, Jenna’s message is clear: sisterhood is messy, beautiful, and unbreakable. And for her, Barbara isn’t just a sibling — she’s the mirror that reflects her truest self, the constant reminder that love, no matter how imperfect, is what makes us brave.