Virginia McLaurin, the centenarian who danced excitedly with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama during a 2016 White House visit, has died. She was 113.
McLaurinโs son, Felipe Cardoso Jr., said Tuesday that she died early Monday at her home in Olney, Maryland.
โRest in peace, Virginia,โ the Obamas wrote on Twitter. โWe know youโre up there dancing.โ
McLaurin visited the White House for a Black History Month reception in February 2016, when she was 106.
โHi!โ McLaurin squealed as she was introduced to the president.
โYou want to say hi to Michelle?โ Obama asked.
โYes!โ McLaurin said, moving quickly to give the first lady a hug.
โSlow down now!โ the president said. โDonโt go too quick.โ
The women then held hands as they went into an impromptu dance, the president holding McLaurinโs arm.
โI thought I would never live to get in the White House,โ she said. โAnd I tell you, I am so happy.
โA Black president. A Black wife! And Iโm here to celebrate Black history. Yeah, thatโs what Iโm here for.โ
Video of the encounter quickly spread online, garnering international news coverage. After the brief meeting, McLaurin told reporters: โI could just die happy.โ
Deborah Menkart, a friend who helped arrange McLaurinโs 2016 visit, said it dramatically changed her life. She said McLaurin was living โvery frugallyโ at the time but her fame spurred people to donate to a care fund for her. (NBC)