Jill Biden drowned her sorrows with a glass of champagne and a night of partying with Serena Williams, Charlize Theron, Mick Jagger and Zendaya after her husband Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race.
The first lady, who leads the US delegation at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, attended the party with other stars on Thursday evening in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games.
She was spotted in a white pantsuit as she chatted with guests at the event. Biden is on the cover of Vogue’s August issue.
Guests were surprised and delighted when they encountered the first lady, Vogue noted in its report and photos of the event.
Jill Biden at the Prelude to the Olympics party in Paris at the Foundation Louis Vuitton
The opening ceremony took place at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell William welcomed guests ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were also in attendance, along with LeBron James, Novak Djokovic, Ian Thorpe, Tyrese Haliburton, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Soop Dogg, Tyla, Jeremy Allen White, Queen Latifah and Alan Cumming.
The party was organized by Vogue in collaboration with luxury goods company LVMH, the main sponsor of the Games.
Instead of a red carpet, guests walked a three-lane route to the event.
The gold, silver and bronze pieces that Louis Vuitton designed for the 2024 Olympic Games were on display.
Earlier on Thursday, the first lady met with American athletes to pump them up before the Games began.
However, her meeting with them also had a wistful edge, as she alluded to Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race.
The athletes applauded her and welcomed her warmly.
The first lady sat in the Oval Office on Wednesday night as President Biden explained to the nation why he was withdrawing from the 2024 election. She then boarded a plane to Paris to represent the United States.
Zendaya and Spike Lee (left) and Charlize Theron (right) arrive at the party
Snoop Dogg and Steven Spielberg (left) and Mick Jagger and Melanie Hamrick (right)
She referred to her husband’s words when she spoke Thursday morning.
“When Team USA glides through the opening ceremony tomorrow night, they will be carrying more than just our flag. They will be carrying the heart of our nation and our hopes,” she told the athletes at the reception at the French ambassador’s residence.
“That’s what I love about our country: that we’re united and that together we can seize every opportunity. President Biden has led our country with that hope always in his heart. As he says — “
And here the guests burst into applause. Jill Biden expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll take that home with me. And as he says, there’s nothing America can’t do if we do it together. And we’re seeing that now, especially at the Olympics.”
Later, Jill Biden literally passed the baton when she met members of the U.S. track and field team at the practice track outside Paris.
The team recruited her to serve as the lead leg of a relay.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Jill Biden and Brigitte Macron at the Elysee Palace for the reception of the heads of state
Jill Biden, left, learns the proper technique for passing a baton from women’s relay head coach Mechelle Freeman, center
First Lady Jill Biden records digital video with Team USA Track and Field athlete Gabby Thomas
First lady Jill Biden speaks with family members of the U.S. Olympic team at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Paris
On Friday morning, the First Lady was present at the Élysée for a welcome reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron.
Eighty-five heads of state were expected at the reception, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Later, the first lady will attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Following Friday’s opening ceremony, Biden will speak at a brunch to commemorate the opening of the Games and celebrate the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. LA Mayor Karen Bass was among those accompanying Biden on the trip to Paris.