 India in 2001 | |
| Species | Cat |
|---|---|
| Breed | American Shorthair |
| Sex | Female |
| Born | July 13, 1990 |
| Died | January 4, 2009(2009-01-04) (aged 18) White House, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Predecessor | Socks |
| Successor | Willow |
| Owners | George W. Bush andLaura Bush |
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India "Willie" Bush (July 13, 1990 – January 4, 2009) was a female solid blackAmerican Shorthair[1] cat owned by former U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush andFirst LadyLaura Bush. She lived with theBush family for almost two decades.
The Bushes acquired India, a solid black, femaleAmerican Shorthair,[1] in late 1991 or 1992 when their twin daughtersBarbara andJenna Bush were nine years old. India remained with George and Laura Bush once their daughters left for college.[2] The cat moved with the Bushes to theWhite House from theTexas Governor's Mansion inAustin in early 2001 following Bush's inauguration as president.[2]
Despite living at the White House with the First Family, India was overshadowed in the media by the Bushes' higher-profileScottish terriers,Barney andMiss Beazley. However, she was seen in the "Barneycam" videos produced by the White House staff around Christmas time, her first appearance beingWhere in the White House is Miss Beazley?, where she was referred to as "Willie".[1] The dogs received significantly more media attention from theWhite House press corps during theBush presidency.[2]
India made an appearance, again as "Willie", in the March 2008Architectural Digest in theEast Sitting Hall of the White House.[3]
India died at the White House at the age of 18 on January 4, 2009, just 16 days before Bush finished his presidential run.[4][5] In a press release, a spokesperson for the First Lady said that the family was "deeply saddened by their cat's death",[1] and went on to say "India was a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades. She will be greatly missed."[1]
There was some controversy reported inIndia as some people were upset with the cat's name. In July 2004, demonstrators in the city ofThiruvananthapuram inKerala denounced the cat's name as an insult to the nation of India, and burned aneffigy of President Bush in protest.[2][6] The Bushes did not change the cat's name in response to the demonstrations,[2] as their cat had been named after the baseball playerRubén Sierra, who was nicknamed "El Indio" during his time with theTexas Rangers when Bush owned the team.[7] The name "India" had reportedly been given to the family cat by their daughter Barbara.[2]
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | United States presidential cat January 20, 2001 – January 4, 2009 | Succeeded by |
