Former Pres. George W. Bush turns 74 today

Five things you didn't know about George W. Bush

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- George W. Bush, who was elected Texas governor in the mid-'90s before winning a hotly contested presidential race, turns 74 years old today.

He was born George Walker Bush in New Haven, Connecticut, on July 6, 1946 to George Herbert Walker and Barbara Bush.

George W. earned his undergraduate degree at Yale before working toward his MBA at Harvard.

George W. Bush, as part owner of the Texas Rangers, points out some of the amenities Nov. 7, 1993 during construction of the Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.AP

George W. Bush makes a campaign speech during his candidacy for Texas governor on July 18, 1994.AP

Then-Gov. George W. Bush meets with then-Pres. Bill Clinton at the White House during a state dinner on Jan. 29, 1995.AP

Texas Gov. George W. Bush is shown during an interview in his office Aug. 8, 1996, in Austin, Texas.AP

Texas Gov. George W. Bush, right, gives his mother, Barbara Bush , a hug after taking a family photo Thursday, June 10, 1999 in Houston.AP

George W. Bush shakes hands with his 2000 presidential election opponent, Al Gore, during a debate on Oct. 3, 2000.AP

George W. Bush inspects a Pacific salmon while touring Pike Place Market in Seattle, Nov. 1, 2000.AP

President Bush speaks to Vice President Dick Cheney by phone aboard Air Force One after departing Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001.AP

President Bush stands with firefighter Bob Beckwith on a burnt fire truck in front of the World Trade Center during a tour of the devastation, Sept. 14, 2001.AP

President Bush declares the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast May 1, 2003.AP

President Bush and Laura Bush wave with Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney following the President's acceptance speech during the final night of the RNC in 2004.AP

President Bush, right, kisses his wife first lady Laura Bush, left, after speaking at the 2008 Republican Governors Association gala at the National Building Museum, Feb. 2, 2008.AP

President Bush and his father, former President George H. W. Bush, arrive on the South Lawn of White House in Washington, Sunday, May 11, 2008.AP

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush welcome President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009.AP

First lady Michelle Obama hugs former President George W. Bush, as President Barack Obama and former first lady Laura Bush walk on stage on Sept. 24, 2016.AP

At 31, the future oil businessman wed Laura Welch, with whom he would have two daughters, Jenna and Barbara.

Following an unsuccessful bid for U.S. House, George W. became a co-owner of the Texas Rangers, building up his own name in the process. By 1995, George W. transitioned from Major League Baseball to politics, winning the governor's seat of Texas.

George W. aimed for the White House by 2000, winning a controversial election in which the race's balance hung on chads and a recount in Florida.

George W. served two terms in Washington, most notably as the Commander-in-Chief during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Since leaving the White House in 2009, the 43rd U.S. president returned to his home in Texas and later opened his presidential library in Dallas.