Photo: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson
Virginia McLaurin, the Maryland woman who famously danced with former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, has died, according to the Associated Press. She was 113.
On Tuesday (November 15), her son, Felipe Cardoso Jr., announced that she had died Monday (November 14) at her home in Olney, Maryland.
At age 106, McLaurin attended a Black History Month reception at the White House in February 2016.
“Hi!” McLaurin excitedly said upon meeting the president.
“You want to say hi to Michelle?” Obama asked.
“Yes!” McLaurin said, moving quickly to hug the first lady.
“Slow down now!” the president said. “Don’t go too quick.”
The first lady and McLaurin then held hands and started dancing, with the president joining in by holding the centenarian's arm.
“I thought I would never live to get in the White House,” McLaurin said. “And I tell you, I am so happy.
“A Black president. A Black wife!" she added. "And I’m here to celebrate Black history. Yeah, that’s what I’m here for.”
Video of McLaurin meeting the Obamas was widely circulated and garnered national attention.
The former first family took to Twitter to address her passing.
“Rest in peace, Virginia,” the Obamas tweeted on Tuesday. “We know you’re up there dancing.”
Born March 12, 1909, in South Carolina, McLaurin spent decades volunteering at schools following her retirement. According to the Obama White House archives, she was a foster grandparent and mentored students with special needs.
“She was just so carefree,” Cardoso said. “She said her secret to life was not to worry, so she never let things worry her. She just didn’t pay it no mind.”
Cardoso said McLaurin adopted him at the age of 3.
“She loved and cared for everybody,” he said. “She definitely had a big heart for the kids.”
Rest in peace, Virginia McLaurin.
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