George Bush, Sr., celebrated his 80th birthday by soaring 13,000 feet over the skies of Texas. The entire Bush family and numerous diplomats were on hand to watch our 41st president skydive from an airplane flanked by five Secret Service men, who jet-propelled in to jump alongside him. Security was tighter than ever as the VIP festivities geared up on Friday night and went on through the weekend. Tickets to the ultra-exclusive event held a glitzy price tag from US $1,000 to US $1 million (the proceeds from the event went to support three charities)!

The Texas-sized birthday bash took place in Houston and was filled with Bush's power Texas cronies and countless celebrities, including hockey star Wayne Gretsky and The Righteous Brothers. Comedian Dennis Miller hosted and tennis aces Pete Sampras and Chrissie Evert spoke. Wynonna Judd kicked off the entertainment, along with Amy Grant and Vince Gill. Political luminaries were in full force with vice president Dick Cheney, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former Mexican President Carlos Salinas, ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and, of course, our President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Lest we forget to mention, our very own Texas native, POWER Editor-in-Chief, Loraine Colonello also took part in the festivities. The crowd of 5,000 partygoers was so large that clearly, standing room was the only option.

Friends of the Bush family shared funny stories and happy memories of the former president over a marvelous dinner. Chrissie Evert recalled one of her fondest memories of the Bush family when George Bush, Sr.,invited herself and Pam Shriver to play tennis with Jeb and Neil Bush. To be polite, Chrissie and Pam thought that they should give them a few games, so as not to overpower the Bush boys. But, in the end, they lost without even trying! The boys may have won the battle of the sexes, but the girls won their invitations back to the White House.

During WWII, as a Navy pilot, Bush, Sr. was forced to jump from his plane, when it took enemy fire. Apparently, he never forgot the feeling! When asked by a reporter why her husband, George Bush, loves jumping out of airplanes, wife Barbara Bush retorted, "There's no fool like an old fool." Foolish, or not, let's hope that 80 year-old George continues setting a brave example for seniors everywhere and keeps living life to the fullest!