On November 19, former U.S. first lady Rosalynn Carter, a pivotal figure in President Jimmy Carter’s administration and a dedicated advocate for mental health, passed away at the age of 96, as announced by the Carter Center.
Despite battling dementia since May 2023, she spent her final moments peacefully surrounded by family at their home in Plains, Georgia.
The Carters, married in 1946, held the record as the longest-married presidential couple.
Rosalynn continued her influential role post-White House, contributing to the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.
President Carter hailed her as “an extension of myself” and praised their enduring marriage as the pinnacle of his life.
Initially unassuming, Rosalynn evolved into a powerful speaker and activist, particularly championing mental health causes.
Before Jimmy Carter’s presidency, she was relatively unknown outside Georgia.
In Washington, she was an integral part of the administration, attending Cabinet meetings and advocating for important causes, including the unsuccessful campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment.
During the Iranian hostage crisis, Rosalynn supported her husband by embarking on a nationwide tour.
Despite Carter’s eventual loss to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 general election, Rosalynn’s efforts were credited with helping him secure the Democratic primaries.
Beyond politics, she and Jimmy Carter were active members of the Plains community. Rosalynn, born on August 18, 1927, in Plains, married Jimmy Carter on July 7, 1946, and together they had four children.
Her impact extended beyond politics; in 1983, she joined the Gannett Co board of directors, authored several books, and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2001.
