Jenna Bush Hager

Teaching

Before leaving Washington, D.C. in summer 2006, Hager worked at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School for a year and a half as a teacher's aide.^[14] She took a leave of absence from the charter school position to work at a shelter as part of an internship for UNICEF's Educational Policy Department in Latin America, specifically Panama.^[15][16] After her internship for UNICEF, Hager returned to her position at the charter school in Washington, D.C.^[17] She has done work as a part-time reading coordinator at the SEED Public Charter School in Baltimore, Maryland, and she has contributed a monthly news story about education for the Today show.^[18]

Writing

In 2007, Hager began marketing a book proposal with the assistance of Robert B. Barnett, a Washington attorney.^[15] The title of the book is Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope, and it chronicles her experiences working with UNICEF sponsored charities in Latin America, including visits to drought-stricken Paraguay in 2006, while working as an intern for United Nations Children's Fund.^[15][19][20] HarperCollins announced in March 2007 it would publish the book, and it was released September 28, 2007, with an initial printing of 500,000 copies.^[21] Her share of the profits will go to UNICEF, while the remainder will go to the woman whose life is the basis of the book, assisting in the young woman's continuing education.^[22] During the book tour, Hager appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. During the interview, Hager telephoned her parents.^[23] Hager wrote a second book, in conjunction with her mother, designed to encourage children to read.^[24] The book, entitled Read All About It!, was published on April 22, 2008, also by HarperCollins.^[24]

On November 26, 2012, Hager was named editor-at-large of Southern Living magazine.^[25]

NBC News (2009–present)

Since 2009, Jenna Bush has worked at NBC News as a correspondent and at Today as both a contributor and an anchor. In August 2009, NBC hired Hager as a correspondent and contributor for The Today Show.

As time progressed, Hager's profile increased on Today, including filling in as the orange-room anchor during the 7 a.m.-9 a.m. hours and substituting for Kathie Lee Gifford or Hoda Kotb during the fourth hour.^[26]

In 2018, she interviewed Michelle Obama in a discussion about her life in the White House, the challenges of raising her daughters in the spotlight, and her book, Becoming.^[27] They also discussed the political atmosphere and political bipartisanship, with Obama stating that, despite their political differences, Hager's father, George W. Bush, is a "beautiful, funny, kind, sweet man".^[28]

In March 2019, Hager started Read with Jenna, a monthly book club on Today Show.^[29] In April 2019, Hager began co-hosting the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb following Kathie Lee Gifford's departure.^[30]

In 2019, Hager was able to participate with Willie Geist in a special episode of How Low Will You Go, which aired on the Today Show.^[31]

In 2021, Hager reacted emotionally to the storming of the United States Capitol, stating live on air:

I have had the privilege of standing on those steps for several inaugurations, not just for family members but for the first black president of the United States of America. I kissed my grandfather goodbye in that rotunda. I have felt the majesty of our country in those walls, and nobody can take that from any of us.^[32]

In February 2022, Hager signed a first-look deal with Universal Studio Group.^[33]

On a November 2022 episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna, Hager confessed that she "never wears underwear".^[34][35][36] Later that month, she appeared on Watch What Happens Live and told host Andy Cohen that she did not wear underwear during a dinner she had with King Charles, then Prince Charles, the night before Queen Elizabeth II died.^[37]

In February 2023, she announced her third book, Love Comes First, and sources reported "Jenna's Top Picks"^[38] and other endorsement deals.

Sports investment

In February 2021, The Washington Post reported that Chelsea Clinton, Hager, Dominique Dawes, and Briana Scurry were part of an investment group, investing in the Washington Spirit professional soccer club in the National Women's Soccer League.^[39][40]

Book club picks: Read with Jenna

In March 2019 on Today, Hager introduced her book club Read with Jenna.^[41]

In 2022, Hager expanded her book list to children's reading, called Read with Jenna Jr.^[43]

In September 2023, Hager introduced the podcast she hosts, Open Book with Jenna, wherein she interviews authors.^[44]