Jimmy Carter Funeral: Where was Michelle Obama?

By Sylvia Mphofe

Published January 9, 2025 11:12am CST

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Former US Presidents arrive at Jimmy Carter's funeral

The former United States Presidents make their entrance at Jimmy Carter's funeral.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Former President Jimmy Carter is being honored with a state funeral Thursday in Washington, D.C.

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Where is Michelle Obama?

All five living current and former presidents were in attendance, but only four first ladies. Former first lady Michelle Obama did not join her husband, former president Barack Obama, at the ceremony.

Former President Barack Obama entered the Cathedral alongside other former presidents but was not joined by former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Journalist Jeff Zeleny shared on CNN that the former First Lady had scheduling conflicts. "I'm told by her advisors that she has scheduling conflicts." He went on to say "She's still in Hawaii."

She most likely would have sat next to her husband, beside President-elect Trump.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 09: (L-R) Former U.S. Vice Presidents Al Gore and Mike Pence, Karen Pence, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former U.S. President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the state funeral for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Former US President Barack Obama speaks with President-elect Donald Trump as they attend the State Funeral Service for former US President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2025. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 09: (L-R) Former U.S. Vice Presidents Al Gore and Mike Pence, Karen Pence, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former U.S. President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump, U.S. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the state funeral for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 09: (L-R) U.S. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the state funeral for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 09: U.S. Military Body Bearers carry the casket bearing the remains of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter into the Washington National Cathedral for his state funeral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. Following the state funeral, Carter’s remains will be returned to Plains, Georgia where he will be interred after a private family service. (Photo by Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty Images)

Trump and Obama shared some laughs and a brief conversation as attendees entered and found their seats. Trump was joined by Former First Lady Melania Trump.

Trump also shared a brief exchange with former Vice President Mike Pence. The two shook hands before taking their seats.

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Mike Pence and Donald Trump shake hands at Jimmy Carter's Funeral

Mike Pence and Donald Trump shake hands at Jimmy Carter's funeral.

Jimmy Carter State Funeral

Carter arrived in D.C. just after 2 p.m. Tuesday after lying in repose at the Carter Center in Atlanta since Saturday. His remains were transported on Special Air Mission 39 before arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland and he was taken by motorcade to the U.S. Navy Memorial and his hearse before being placed in a horse-drawn caisson for a procession to the U.S. Capitol.

Carter passed away at his Georgia home on Sunday, Dec. 29. He died at the age of 100 after spending almost two years in at-home hospice care. He was the longest-lived president in U.S. history.

Jimmy Carter funeral: Who is expected to attend?

A significant gathering of leaders and family members honoring former president Jimmy Carter’s legacy are expected at his state funeral service on Thursday.

How to watch the Carter funeral events

FOX 5 will begin its coverage of the Carter funeral during Good Day DC on Thursday morning. Coverage will continue on FOX LOCAL until after the National Funeral Service.

Click here to download FOX LOCAL for your iPhone or click here to download it for Android users on the Google Play Store.

National Day of Mourning: What’s open, closed on January 9 for Carter funeral

FOX LOCAL is available to download for free on Roku, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, Google Android TV and Vizio. For more information on how to connect your specific smart TV, visit www.FOXlocal.com.

You can also watch live coverage streaming on FOX5DC.com and FOX 5's Facebook and YouTube pages.

Jimmy Carter funeral: Road closures, parking restrictions, and Metro changes for January 9

The Source: This story includes reporting from CNN and FOX 5 DC.

Jimmy Carter News Washington, D.C.