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Hollywood legend hits Houston to honor former first lady Barbara Bush's legacy

Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, will visit Houston this fall.

Courtesy photo

One wonders how Barbara Bush would react to the news. The mother-daughter team of Oscar-winning actress, singer and author Julie Andrews, and her daughter and co-author, Emma Walton Hamilton, will visit to Houston this fall to honor the former first lady legacy.

The pair will share their stories and experiences at the fourth annual Power of Literacy Luncheon, Friday, October 25 at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown.

Chaired by Lilly Andress and Vicki West, Andrews and Hamilton will participate in a moderated conversation as part of the program. Since its inception, the Ladies for Literacy Guild has raised nearly $1 million through the Power of Literacy Luncheons to fund local literacy initiatives.

“I am beyond excited for Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton to join us at this special event that helps champion Barbara Bush’s literacy legacy,” said Maria Bush, co-chair, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. “Julie has been an idol of mine since I was a child, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be in the presence of someone who has enriched our lives through all of her many talents on stage, on screen, and on television – to the many books she has authored.”

Julie Andrews is famous for her roles as Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp in the iconic film The Sound of Music. Her career spans generations, from her beginnings in England’s vaudeville acts, to originating the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, to her roles in The Princess Diaries and the voices of Queen Lillian in the Shrek movies and Marlene, Gru’s mum in the Despicable Me and Minion franchises.

She and her daughter, Emma, are the authors of more than 30 children’s books, many of which have been New York Times best-sellers. Their latest franchise of books together, The Very Fairy Princess, is a 12-book series. The first book rose to No. 1 on the New York Times Children’s Best Seller list. Andrews and Hamilton are Grammy Award winners in the spoken word category.

“Emma and I are pleased to join the Foundation at this spectacular event as part of my world book tour,” said Andrews in a statement. “Reading and writing has played a significant part in both my professional career and my personal life for many, many years. Through our writings and stories, Emma and I strive to not only entertain readers, but also to inspire them to dream big in life.”

Andrews will release the second installment of her biography written with Hamilton, called Home Work - A Memoir of My Hollywood Years, on October 15. The book is a follow-up to her critically acclaimed and bestselling memoir, Home - A Memoir of My Early Years, and picks up her story with her arrival in Hollywood, sharing the career highlights, personal experiences, and reflections behind her career.

In addition to the annual luncheon, Ladies for Literacy Guild activities include funding the 30-foot Curiosity Cruiser mobile library, and creating children’s libraries in the New Hope Housing – Reed and Mission of Yahweh shelter, as well as promoting family literacy programs at Santa Maria Hostel. The guild is currently upfitting a second Curiosity Cruiser to serve low-income children across Harris County.

Barbara’s Legacy

Tom Selleck headlines Houston literacy luncheon, helps raise $775K

Barbara Bush Foundation literacy luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

Tom Selleck may have played many roles throughout his decades-long career — private investigator, cowboy, police commissioner — but at an event in Houston, the Hollywood icon stepped into a new one: literacy advocate.

The Emmy and Golden Globe winner headlined the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon: Opening Doors to Literacy, bringing personal anecdotes, quiet wisdom, and his signature mustache to the sold-out crowd at The Post Oak Hotel.

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I.,” he shared from the stage. “She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off.”

That connection made his participation all the more thoughtful.

Selleck reflected on stories from his 2024 memoir You Never Know, keeping the audience rapt with his tales of humor and humility. When asked what he hopes readers take away from his book, he offered an introspective insight.

“Getting there isn’t such a big deal, because there is always somewhere else to go,” he said. “The real value is in the journey.”

That sentiment struck a chord with the 800 attendees, who helped the Ladies for Literacy Guild raise a record-breaking $775,000 to fund literacy programs across Houston.

Co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, the luncheon honored the guild’s 10th anniversary and the 100th birthday of Barbara Bush. The event began with an invocation from students at Barbara Bush Elementary, followed by a rousing performance from the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band. Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle emceed the afternoon.

Guests were also treated to a pearl-themed raffle courtesy of Tenenbaum Jewelers—a nod to Barbara Bush’s signature style—along with florals donated by H-E-B. Phillips 66 led the charge as Title Sponsor, joined by Literacy Champion Sponsor ExxonMobil.

Showing their literary love were Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Jamie Barrere, Tony Bradfield, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Tammy Genovese Davis, Stick Delaup, Deborah Dunkum, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena and Tyson Faust, Julie Finck, Gail Garland, Rhonda Graff, Katy Hays, Maureen Higdon, Leslie Hix, Courtney Hopson, Lisa Jakel, Jenny Joy, Patti Kroll, Laurie Lashier, Julie Little, Tama Lundquist, Cora Sue Mach, Martha Adger Madget, Anne McClellan, Mary Hale, Lovett McLean, Marsha Montemayor, Trish Morille, Barbie Prusak, Tenley E. Raj, Regina Rogers, Mary Sage, Sandra Shenkir, Tharen Simpson, Rhonda Smith, Deborah Stavis, Andrea Suarez, Suzi and William Dore, and Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

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