Melania Trump, Michelle Obama and more First Ladies tribute Rosalynn Carter

Michelle Obama arrived alongside current President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Bill and Hillary Clinton. All these dignitaries were present to pay tribute to Jimmy Carter’s wife and their shared legacy.

President Carter, who was mourning his wife, made his first public appearance in almost a year and chose not to speak during the service.

At the funerals of former first ladies, it is customary for both current and former first ladies to be in attendance. During the Georgia funeral honoring the life of Rosalyn Carter, Melania Trump and Michelle Obama took the lead in escorting the group of former first ladies into the ceremony.

Michelle Obama who wore all black for the occasion, wearing her hair in a high ponytail had previously written a touching tribute following the death of Mrs. Carter, sharing a photo of the two in the White House.

“When our family was in the White House, every so often, Rosalynn would join me for lunch, offering a few words of advice and always — always — a helping hand,” she wrote. “She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity.”

Melania Trump was also photographed in the funeral in a gray coat walked alongside Obama, the Clintons, and First Lady Laura Bush. Despite the differences of opinion between their husbands, she wrote a tribute to Carter following the announcement of her death, commending her for her support of President Carter.

“She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental healt,” she wrote. “We join our fellow citizens in sending our condolences to President Carter and their family.”

First Lady Jill Biden looked solemn over the course of the ceremony. President Biden shared a statement on behalf of their family regarding Mrs. Carter’s death. “On behalf of a grateful nation, we send our love to the entire Carter family and the countless people whose lives are better, fuller, and brighter because of Rosalynn Carter.”

Hillary Clinton shared a touching tribute, revealing that she was friends with Mrs. Carter for 40 years. “Rosalynn Carter will forever be remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose. I’m grateful for more than 40 years of her friendship and thinking today of President Carter, her family, and all the many people who loved her,” she wrote.

Laura Bush, the wife of George W. Bush, also shared a statement. “We are saddened by the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. She was a woman of dignity and strength. There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity. She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental health. We join our fellow citizens in sending our condolences to President Carter and their family.”

Amy Carter, Rosalynn and Jimmy’s daughter, shared an emotional speech on the funeral. “My mom spent most of her life in love my dad,” she said. “There their partnership and love story was a defining feature of her life. Because he isn’t able to speak to you today. I’m going to share some of his words about loving and missing.”

A highlight of her speech was the moment when she read a letter that Jimmy Carter wrote to Rosalynn 75 years go, while he was serving in the Navy: “My darling every time I have ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are. While I’m away I tried to convince myself you could not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember.”

Jason Carter, a grandson of the Carters, spoke lovingly about his grandmother. “My grandmother doesn’t need a eulogy, her life was a sermon.,” he said. “She was born just a few years after women got the right to vote in this small town in the south where people were still plowing their fields behind mules.”