In 1988 Dan was elected Vice President on George H. W. Bush's ticket. Throughout her husband's political career, Marilyn was "always her husband's closest and most candid advisor." She campaigned independently during the presidential campaign. During the 1988 campaign, she was often portrayed in the press as smart, cold, and tough – the power behind her husband. But as second lady she played a mostly traditional role as hostess, while being an active and involved mother to their three young children. She also worked for causes such as early diagnosis of breast cancer (her mother died of breast cancer at the age of 56). With her sister Nancy she also published a novel, "Embrace the Serpent", a thriller about the wife of a vice president.