Prominent Hollywood actress Cicely Tyson has passed away aged 96. Former US president Barack Obama has paid tribute to her.

The former fashion model has served the entertainment industry for seven decades. She was known for portraying strong African-American characters.

Tyson has achieved two Emmys for her phenomenal performance in the 1974 civil rights-era film The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. She was also the first black woman to appear as a lead character in the TV drama East Side/West Side in the 1960s.

She has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

President Barack Obama took to Twitter and posted a photo he had with Tyson and Michelle Obama. He tweeted, “In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actors whose work on the screen was surpassed only by what she was able to accomplish off of it.” “She had a heart unlike any other—and for 96 years, she left a mark on the world that few will ever match.”

In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actors whose work on the screen was surpassed only by what she was able to accomplish off of it. She had a heart unlike any other—and for 96 years, she left a mark on the world that few will ever match. pic.twitter.com/JRsL3zlKtP

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 29, 2021

Former first lady Michelle Obama has also expressed her thoughts about the late actress. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, “What struck me every time I spent time with Cicely Tyson was not necessarily her star power—though that was evident enough—it was her humanity.”

“Just by walking into a room, she had this way of elevating everyone around her. She was the personification of beauty, grace, wisdom, and strength, carrying forward a flame that not only guided her for 96 pathbreaking years but lit the way for so many of us.”

“I’ll miss her dearly, but I smile knowing how many people she inspired, just like me, to walk a little taller, speak a little more freely, and live a little bit more as God intended.”