Rosalynn Carter, who as first lady worked tirelessly on behalf of mental health reform and professionalized the role of the president's spouse, died Sunday, November 19, at the age of 96, according to the Carter Center.
Throughout her life, the former first lady was an advocate for various causes, including human rights, mental health, early childhood immunization and conflict resolution.
The Carters were married in 1946. The former president, reflecting on his accomplishments in 2015, said, "The best thing I ever did was marrying Rosalynn."
Jimmy Carter, then a Georgia state senator, hugs his wife at his campaign headquarters in Atlanta in 1966. Horace Cort/AP
The president holds his grandson, Jason, as he and Rosalynn watch their daughter, Amy, in July 1976. The Carters also have three sons: Jeff, Chip and Jack. Jason is Jack's son. Dan Farrell/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
As honorary chairwoman of the President's Commission on Mental Health, Rosalynn presents her husband with the commission's recommendations for sweeping reforms to mental health policy and programs in 1978. The report led to the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. Rosalynn has been a driving force for mental health throughout her life. Jimmy Carter Library
Rosalynn travels on a plane as part of a campaign trip in October 1979. Her husband was up for reelection. Diana Walker/Getty Images
Rosalynn gets a kiss from her husband after they were awarded Presidential Medals of Freedom in 1999. The Carters were presented with the medals for the work they have done since leaving the White House in 1980. Tami Chappell/Reuters
Rosalynn speaks to senators on Capitol Hill during a hearing of the Special Committee on Aging in 2011. Carter urged the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which provides older Americans access to caregiving services. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
The Carters walk home together after having dinner at a friend's home in Plains, Georgia, in 2018. Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images
8 min ago
Rosalynn Carter humanitarian and former first lady, dies at 96
From CNN's Keith Allen and Kate Andersen Brower
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter poses for a portrait in New York in 2011. Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Rosalynn Carter, who as first lady worked tirelessly on behalf of mental health reform and professionalized the role of the president’s spouse, died on November 19 at the age of 96, according to The Carter Center.
Rosalynn Carter passed away peacefully with family by her side at her home in Plains, Georgia, the center said in a statement.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, said. “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.”
The Carter Center announced Friday that the former first lady had entered hospice care. She was diagnosed with dementia in May. Her husband began home hospice care in February, following a series of hospital stays.
Ceremonies celebrating Rosalynn Carter’s life are slated to take place next week, The Carter Center announced. The public was able to pay its respects to Carter as she lied in repose Monday at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. A funeral service for Carter will take place later this week for family and invited friends at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, according to the schedule shared by The Carter Center.
First lady Jill Biden celebrated Rosalynn Carter’s life on November 19, telling service members and their families at a Naval Station Norfolk holiday event, “The former first lady Rosalynn Carter has just passed. And she was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women’s rights.”
Former President Jimmy Carter, who is 99 and receiving hospice care at home, is expected to attend the service. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton and former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump are also expected to attend.
The ceremonies began Monday with a motorcade carrying her remains to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum where she lay in repose.
On Wednesday, the funeral procession will arrive at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, with a service for family and invited friends.
Rosalynn Carter, who as first lady worked tirelessly on behalf of mental health reform and professionalized the role of the president's spouse, died Sunday, November 19, at the age of 96, according to the Carter Center.
Throughout her life, the former first lady was an advocate for various causes, including human rights, mental health, early childhood immunization and conflict resolution.
The Carters were married in 1946. The former president, reflecting on his accomplishments in 2015, said, "The best thing I ever did was marrying Rosalynn."
Jimmy Carter, then a Georgia state senator, hugs his wife at his campaign headquarters in Atlanta in 1966. Horace Cort/AP
The president holds his grandson, Jason, as he and Rosalynn watch their daughter, Amy, in July 1976. The Carters also have three sons: Jeff, Chip and Jack. Jason is Jack's son. Dan Farrell/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
As honorary chairwoman of the President's Commission on Mental Health, Rosalynn presents her husband with the commission's recommendations for sweeping reforms to mental health policy and programs in 1978. The report led to the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. Rosalynn has been a driving force for mental health throughout her life. Jimmy Carter Library
Rosalynn travels on a plane as part of a campaign trip in October 1979. Her husband was up for reelection. Diana Walker/Getty Images
Rosalynn gets a kiss from her husband after they were awarded Presidential Medals of Freedom in 1999. The Carters were presented with the medals for the work they have done since leaving the White House in 1980. Tami Chappell/Reuters
Rosalynn speaks to senators on Capitol Hill during a hearing of the Special Committee on Aging in 2011. Carter urged the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which provides older Americans access to caregiving services. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
The Carters walk home together after having dinner at a friend's home in Plains, Georgia, in 2018. Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter poses for a portrait in New York in 2011. Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Rosalynn Carter, who as first lady worked tirelessly on behalf of mental health reform and professionalized the role of the president’s spouse, died on November 19 at the age of 96, according to The Carter Center.
Rosalynn Carter passed away peacefully with family by her side at her home in Plains, Georgia, the center said in a statement.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, said. “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.”
The Carter Center announced Friday that the former first lady had entered hospice care. She was diagnosed with dementia in May. Her husband began home hospice care in February, following a series of hospital stays.
Ceremonies celebrating Rosalynn Carter’s life are slated to take place next week, The Carter Center announced. The public was able to pay its respects to Carter as she lied in repose Monday at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. A funeral service for Carter will take place later this week for family and invited friends at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, according to the schedule shared by The Carter Center.
First lady Jill Biden celebrated Rosalynn Carter’s life on November 19, telling service members and their families at a Naval Station Norfolk holiday event, “The former first lady Rosalynn Carter has just passed. And she was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women’s rights.”
