Former first lady admitted to hospital after fainting

Former first lady Bird Johnson was admitted to a hospital in fair condition Thursday after fainting at her home.<br><br>Liz Carpenter, her former White House spokeswoman, said Mrs. Johnson, 86, "has periodic

Thursday, November 11th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Former first lady Bird Johnson was admitted to a hospital in fair condition Thursday after fainting at her home.

Liz Carpenter, her former White House spokeswoman, said Mrs. Johnson, 86, "has periodic fainting spells" and was transported to Seton Medical Center.

Mrs. Johnson was awake and alert and will stay overnight for observation, hospital spokeswoman Stephanie Elsea said.

"Because of her age they wanted to check her over," said Shirley James, Mrs. Johnson's executive secretary. "When she left here she went by ambulance and was talking and not wanting to go to the hospital. She was in good spirits."

Mrs. Johnson underwent cataract surgery a couple of days ago in Houston, Ms. Carpenter said.

Her daughter, Luci Baines Johnson, accompanied her. "I think she is doing very well," she told KEYE-TV, saying her mother has traveled a lot lately. "She may just have been exhausted."

Mrs. Johnson, the nation's oldest living former first lady, was married to former President Lyndon B. Johnson for almost 39 years. They were in the White House from 1963 to 1969. He died in 1973.