Michelle Obama leads tributes to former White House butler who died from coronavirus
Wilson Jerman served under 11 presidents, and enjoyed a close rapport with the Kennedys
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former first lady Michelle Obama has offered her remembrances to Wilson Jerman, a longtime White House butler who died from Covid-19 at the age of 91.
Ms Obama, who included an image of Mr Jerman in her book Becoming and the subsequent film of the same name, said she and her husband sent their “sincerest love and prayers” to Mr Jerman’s family.
“With his kindness and care,” she said, “Wilson Jerman helped make the White House a home for decades of first families, including ours.
“His service to others — his willingness to go above and beyond for the country he loved and all those whose lives he touched — is a legacy worthy of his generous spirit. We were lucky to have known him.”
Beginning his White House career as a cleaner under Dwight Eisenhower, Mr Jerman served under 11 presidents, Ms Obama’s husband among them. Promoted to butler by the Kennedys, with whom he had a warm rapport, he was a constant presence in the White House residence.
Tributes to him have been coming in from other surviving first families. Hillary Clinton wrote that he “made generations of first families feel at home, including ours”, and that she and her husband send their “warmest condolences”.
And in a statement to NBC news, Laura and George W Bush called him a “lovely man”, recalling how “he was the first person we saw in the morning when we left the residence and the last person we saw each night when we returned”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments