Michelle Obama Cancels European Book Tour Stops to Attend Bush's Funeral and Celebrate His 'Exemplary Life'

Former first lady Michelle Obama has announced that she will cancel the Paris and Berlin stops of her international book tour to attend the funeral of former President George H. W. Bush.

"It's important to me to join the Bush family in celebrating President George H.W. Bush's exemplary life," Obama tweeted on Sunday. "This will unfortunately preclude my visits to Paris and Berlin. I've been deeply touched by the enthusiasm for my memoir, and I'm working to reschedule my trip for next year," she added.

Calling on readers and fans to to join her in "paying tribute to" Bush as well as "his tremendous contributions to our world," Obama said she hoped her ticket holders and readers would "understand" her decision.

It’s important to me to join the Bush family in celebrating President George H.W. Bush’s exemplary life. This will unfortunately preclude my visits to Paris and Berlin. I’ve been deeply touched by the enthusiasm for my memoir, and I’m working to reschedule my trip for next year.

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) December 2, 2018

The 41st president of the United States, who was also the father of 43rd President George W. Bush, died on Friday at 94.

"Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," George W. Bush, said in a statement released by family spokesman Jim McGrath. "George H.W. "Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he continued. The elder Bush's wife Barbara also died earlier this year at the age of 92.

On Friday, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama issued a joint statement sharing their condolences for the Bush family. Calling the deceased leader "a patriot and humble servant" they hailed his "legacy of service that may never be matched."

"While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Not merely for the years he spent as our forty-first President, but for the more than 70 years he spent in devoted service to the country he loved – from a decorated Naval aviator who nearly gave his life in World War II, to Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, with plenty of posts along the way. Ambassador to the United Nations. Director of Central Intelligence. U.S. Envoy to China. Vice President of the United States," they continued.

As a public servant, father, and grandfather, President George H.W. Bush was an extraordinary example for us all. His spirit of service and decency will be missed by many, including our family. I hope his memory will be a guiding light for our country and those around the world. pic.twitter.com/jUSU82TnO1

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) December 1, 2018

Michelle Obama also on Saturday shared a photo of herself greeting Bush at the White House. In the image, the former first lady is stooping over to receive a kiss on the cheek from the elder 41st president.

"As a public servant, father, and grandfather, President George H.W. Bush was an extraordinary example for us all," Obama captioned the image. "His spirit of service and decency will be missed by many, including our family. I hope his memory will be a guiding light for our country and those around the world."

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Jason Lemon is a Weekend Editor at Newsweek based in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to taking on the editor role, Jason's reporting focused on ... Read more

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