Former President Jimmy Carter’s official state funeral in Washington on Thursday caps a long farewell that began earlier this week— and will end today— in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Carter died Dec. 29 at age 100.
The state funeral took place Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. In attendance were Carter family members, world leaders and all five living presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Four first ladies, as well as current Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, also attended. Former Vice Presidents Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Mike Pence were seated nearby.
A musical performance by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood plus many tributes took place for the 39th president.
President Joe Biden gave a eulogy highlighting his long friendship with Carter where he said Carter established a “model post-presidency,” noting that the former president made “a powerful difference as a private citizen” in the United States and around the world.
Ted Mondale delivered a tribute to Carter written by his father, former Vice President Walter Mondale, before his death in 2021 and Steve Ford delivered one that was written by his father, the late former President Gerald Ford.
