CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Zoo announced Thursday the passing of its beloved white lion, Gracious, who was 21 years old. 

The zoo said Gracious' health declined recently and was considered geriatric. Caretakers said in a Facebook post once they realized she refused to eat her favorite food, meatballs, they knew it was time. 

Officials humanely euthanized her Tuesday.

Gracious lived about five years longer than the average lifespan for her species, according to the zoo, which can be attributed to her care. 

One her caretakers, Laura Carptenter, wrote a tribute to Gracious, saying "we sort of grew up together at the zoo."

"I had only been a keeper a few years when she was born," Carpenter wrote. "She was the only female cub of a litter of four, but she was a motivated individual from the start. The volunteers, who were involved in the birth watch, nicknamed her 'Motorbutt' because, from the day she was born, she would make her way all around the enclosure while her three brothers stayed close to mom, Prosperity."

Gracious was a part of a pack of four cubs that were born in 2001 to two white lions that were loaned to the Cincinnati Zoo by Las Vegas entertainers Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Uwe Ludwig Horn in 1998. 

"The four cubs became famous, always being photographed and in news appearances. Of all the cubs, I would always be the one to hold Gracie. She was my girl," Carpenter wrote.

Carpenter described Gracious as intelligent and very "real," only being "civil" to some people. 

"I am grateful to everyone for keeping Gracious in your hearts over these years. And, I am grateful to you my sweet baby Grace, for sharing your life with me. It’s been an incredible journey that I will never forget," Carpenter said.