Why Michelle Obama Skipped Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

On By Littum

All five living presidents and their partners attended former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, except for one person: former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Carter’s life was celebrated at the National Cathedral on Thursday morning. However, the former first lady was notably absent despite all other former and current first ladies attending.

It is not entirely clear why the former first lady was absent. However, CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny reports that it was due to an extended vacation in Hawaii.

“I’m told by her advisors that she has scheduling conflicts,” Zeleney said Thursday morning. “She’s still in Hawaii.”

All five living presidents and their partners, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow gentleman Doug Emhoff, sit in the National Cathedral for former President Jimmy Carter's funeral Thursday

All five living presidents and their partners, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow gentleman Doug Emhoff, sit in the National Cathedral for former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral Thursday (AFP via Getty Images)

A spokesman for the former first lady said Carter and his family are in her thoughts.

“Mrs. Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family and all who loved and learned from the remarkable former president,” spokeswoman Crystal Carson said in a statement.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama pictured at a Democratic campaign rally in October

Former First Lady Michelle Obama pictured at a Democratic campaign rally in October (AFP via Getty Images)

The independent has reached out to Michelle Obama’s representatives through the Obama Foundation for comment.

Those in attendance included President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden; President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump; former President Barack Obama; former President George W Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush; and former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow gentleman Doug Emhoff also attended, sitting in the front row with the president.

Obama and Trump appeared to have a long chat as they sat next to each other before the service began. It’s not clear what they were discussing, but the pair shared a laugh.

Obama and Trump share a laugh at Carter's funeral Thursday morning

Obama and Trump share a laugh at Carter’s funeral Thursday morning (AFP via Getty Images)

Other attendees included President Gerald Ford’s youngest son, Steven Ford, country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and former Vice President Walter Mondale’s son, Ted Mondale.

Biden is due to pay tribute to Carter, whom he has described as a “dear friend”.

“What I find extraordinary about Jimmy Carter is that millions of people around the world, all over the world, feel that they too have lost a friend, even though they never met him,” Biden said in a statement after Carter’s statement . death. “It’s because Jimmy Carter lived a life that was measured not by words, but by his deeds.”

The Obamas also honored Carter in a statement shortly after his death.

“He believed that some things were more important than re-election — things like integrity, respect and compassion,” the couple said wrote of the 39th President. “Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all made in the image of God.”