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Rosalynn Carter, US former First Lady and wife of Jimmy Carter, passes away at 96

Rosalynn Carter, the wife of the 39th President, Jimmy Carter.

By Agency | 20 Nov 2023

Rosalynn Carter, the wife of the 39th President, Jimmy Carter, has passed away at the age of 96 at their home in Georgia. A leading mental health advocate, Carter had been diagnosed with dementia in May.

Rosalynn Carter, the wife of the 39th President, Jimmy Carter, has passed away at the age of 96 at their home in Georgia. A leading mental health advocate, Carter had been diagnosed with dementia in May. On Friday, her family announced her entry into hospice care at home, joining her 99-year-old husband. The former president has been in hospice care since February, declining further medical intervention. In a statement, President Jimmy Carter expressed, "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me." Rosalynn Carter played a crucial role in mental health advocacy, founding the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in 1987. The Carter Center, a human rights non-profit founded by the couple, acknowledged her work and advocacy in its statement earlier this year announcing her dementia diagnosis. Jill Biden paid tribute to Carter during an event in Virginia, and President Joe Biden praised the Carters for bringing grace to the office. Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, called Carter "a woman of dignity and strength." Nancy Pelosi described her as a "saintly and revered public servant" driven by faith, compassion, and kindness. Carter was also known for her historic diplomatic missions, including a high-stakes visit to Latin America in 1977 and becoming the first sitting first lady to address the World Health Organization in 1979. The couple had been supporters of Habitat for Humanity, and the organization expressed sadness at her passing, acknowledging her commitment to helping families around the world. The Carters' final public appearance was at the Plains Peanut Festival in September, days before Jimmy Carter's 99th birthday, where they rode together in the parade. The couple, married in 1946, celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2021, and had four children.