Michelle Obama announced that she would be postponing her book tour stops in Paris and Berlin this week following the death of former US President George H. W. Bush.
“It is important to me, along with the Bush family, to celebrate the exemplary life of President George H.W. Bush,” Michelle Obama said on Twitter on Sunday. “That will, unfortunately, make my visits to Paris and Berlin impossible.”
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.
I hope readers and ticket holders will understand my decision regarding my desire to attend President Bush’s funeral, and join me in paying tribute to him and his tremendous contributions to our world.
“I am deeply moved by the enthusiasm for my memoir, and I am working to redesign my trip for next year.”
The former First Lady was scheduled to present her “Becoming” memoir on Wednesday in Paris and on Thursday in Berlin. The funeral for the former President, who died aged 94 on Friday, is set to take place at the National Cathedral in Washington on Wednesday. He will then be buried in his native Texas on Thursday.
Obama also paid tribute to Bush on Saturday by sharing a throwback photo of the late 41st president giving her a peck on the cheek.
“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,” she wrote. “I hope his memory will be a guiding light for our country and those around the world.”
Obama’s memoir has already been established as the best selling book of 2018. The memoir’s publisher, Penguin Random House, announced on Nov. 30 that the book sold more than 2 million copies across the US and Canada in the 15 days since its launch on Nov. 13.
