President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to South Africa to attend Nelson Mandela's memorial service, the White House reported.

Former U.S. Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton will also be attending the service.

"President Obama and the First Lady will go to South Africa next week to pay their respects to the memory of Nelson Mandela and to participate in memorial events," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

Mandela was particularly meaningful to Obama because the current U.S. president said that his first step into politics was when he attended an anti-apartheid rally. Obama went on to become the first black president in the United States and Mandela gave him a phone call when he was elected.

"I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela's life," Obama said. "And like so many around the globe, I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set."

Former President Bush's office also released a statement regarding their trip.

"President and Mrs. George W. Bush have gratefully accepted the President and Mrs. Obama's invitation to accompany them to South Africa on Air Force One and attend President Nelson Mandela's memorial services next week."

Clinton spoke of his relationship with Mandela during his presidency and made note of the former South African leader's work ethic and optimism despite spending nearly three decades in prison.

"He was a very, very effective president," Clinton said in an interview with NBC's Brian Williams. "He knew his ability to inspire people around the world would only endure if he could prove that there was not only freedom and forgiveness, but that it worked better for society. That when people worked together, good things happen."

According to NBC, President H.W. Bush declined the invitation because he was unable to go, but the other living president, Jimmy Carter, may attend.