Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter dies at age 96

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passed away on Sunday, November 19 at the age of 96.

“Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a passionate advocate for mental health, caregiving and women’s rights, passed away at 2:10 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, at her home in Plains, Georgia,” according to a statement released through the Carter Center read. “She died peacefully, with family by her side.”

Rosalynn was married to the former president Jimmy Carter for 77 years.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I have ever accomplished,” Jimmy, 99, said in a statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew someone loved and supported me.”

Related: The relationship timeline of President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter’s relationship was the longest presidential marriage in American history. Long before Jimmy became the 39th President of the United States, he met his future wife at the age of three, when his mother, Lillian Carter, helped deliver Rosalynn in 1927. […]

Rosalynn is survived by Jimmy, who is currently in hospice care, their four children, eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. (Rosalynn and Jimmy shared sons Jac, Chip And Jeffas well as daughter Amy.)

“In addition to being a loving mother and an extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right,” Chip, 73, said in his own statement on Sunday. “Her life of service and compassion was an example to all Americans. She will be deeply missed not only by our family, but by the many people today who have better mental health care and access to care resources.”

The Carter Center announced days earlier on Friday, November 17, that Rosalynn admitted to hospice care.

“She and President Carter spend time with each other and their families,” grandson Jason Carter said in a statement at the time. “The Carter family continues to request privacy and remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support.”

Rosalynn had been diagnosed with dementia in May and continued to live at home with Jimmy.

Rosalynn married Jimmy in July 1946, almost 30 years before he won the 1976 presidential election, and they moved their family from Plains, Georgia, to the White House in Washington, DC. Jimmy served for one term and left office in 1981 when former President Ronald Reagan was fired. chosen.

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Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter built quite a family over the course of their 77 years of marriage. When they tied the knot in 1946, the couple welcomed a total of 22 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jimmy and Rosalynn welcomed their eldest, John William “Jack” Carter, in 1947, followed by son James […]

After leaving the White House and returning to their hometown in Plains, Jimmy and Rosalynn co-founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization that advocates for democracy, peace and disease control. Jimmy earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work with the organization.

Both inside and outside the White House, Rosalynn was a passionate advocate for many causes, including mental health, caregiving and women’s rights. Her efforts earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999 and an induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2001.