This Thursday, the state funeral of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter took place. A large number of politicians attended the official ceremony; however, the absence of former First Lady Michelle Obama was very noticeable and became a hot topic.
As a result, many have wondered where Michelle Obama is and why she didn’t attend Jimmy Carter’s state funeral. Here’s what we know so far.
Where is Michelle Obama today?
The five living presidents: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and the current president Joe Biden, were all together at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, a gathering that is rare to see. All of them were accompanied by their wives Melania Trump, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Jill Biden, respectively. But Barack Obama entered the Washington National Cathedral alone.
In a statement, Michelle Obama’s spokesperson, Crystal Carson, informed that the former First Lady did not attend the state funeral due to scheduling conflicts and that she is still in Hawaii.
“Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not be attending the national funeral for President Carter. Mrs. Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family and all who loved and learned from this extraordinary former president,” the statement reads.
The former presidents will meet again in Washington on January 20 for the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump for his second term in the White House. However, Michelle Obama’s spokesperson has not yet confirmed if she will attend the inauguration.
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Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral
Jimmy Carter’s body arrived in Washington just after 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, after being at the Carter Center in Atlanta since Saturday. It was transported by Special Air Mission 39 to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, from where it was taken in a procession to the U.S. Navy Memorial. From there, his casket was placed on a horse-drawn carriage for a procession to the Capitol.
This morning, his body arrived at the Washington National Cathedral, where his grandson, Joshua Carter, recalled the former president’s deep religious faith in his speech. He highlighted the famous Sunday school classes that Carter taught for decades at the Maranatha Baptist Church and emphasized his grandfather’s commitment to serving those in need.
The funeral of Jimmy Carter was attended not only by political leaders from the United States but also by several international dignitaries, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently announced his resignation, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Prince William and Justin Trudeau were seen talking extensively while waiting for the service to begin.
Who was Jimmy Carter?
Jimmy Carter, born on October 1, 1924, in the small farming town of Plains, Georgia, spent his childhood in the nearby community of Archery. On July 7, 1946, he married Rosalynn Smith Carter.
Recognized as an influential American politician and humanitarian, Carter was known for his dedication to peace and the defense of human rights. Before becoming president of the United States, he served as Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and was a state senator in Georgia’s General Assembly from 1962 to 1966.
In 1981, Carter sought re-election as president but was defeated by Ronald Reagan. His tireless work in humanitarian causes earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, recognizing his sustained efforts over decades to promote peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
When did Jimmy Carter pass away?
The former president of the United States passed away in his home in Georgia on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
What did Jimmy Carter die from?
According to reports, the former U.S. president died of natural causes. However, in August 2015, he underwent surgery to remove a liver tumor, and it was later discovered that cancer had spread to other organs.
