Former US president Jimmy Carter has paid tribute to his late wife Rosalynn following her death, aged 96
The Carter Center announced that the former First Lady had passed away in the afternoon of 19 November, two days after entering hospice care and six months after being diagnosed with dementia.
She died at her home in Plains, Georgia at 2.10pm, surrounded by her family.
Rosalynn was described as a ‘great humanitarian’ by her son Chip Carter.
She and Jimmy Carter celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary on July 7 2023.
The 39th president paid tribute to his late wife, saying: “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.”
He was joined in his tributes by Chip Carter, who said: “Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right.
“Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.”
Current First Lady Jill Biden announced the former first lady’s death to service members during an event at Naval Station Norfolk.
She said: “The former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has just passed.
“She was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women’s rights, and so I hope that during the holidays you’ll include the Carter family in your prayers.”
Rosalynn sat on cabinet meetings and acted as her husband’s personal envoy during his presidency between 1977 and 1981.
Speaking of her time at the White House, she said: “Jimmy’s always talked things over with me, like when he was choosing the Vice President or the Cabinet.
“I’ve always been involved in the meetings. I always tell him what I think even if I disagree — and I’ll continue to do that.”
The Carter Center, a human rights organisation the pair established in 1982, paid tribute to Rosalynn’s work in reducing the stigma around mental health.
In a state, the Center said: “Mrs. Carter has been the nation’s leading mental health advocate for much of her life.
“First in the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, then in the White House, and later at The Carter Center, she urged improved access to care and decreased stigma about issues surrounding mental health.”
