Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Dead at 96

Rosalynn Carter

Former First Lady and wife of former President Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, has passed away. She was 96.

She died on Sunday, Nov. 19, around 2 p.m. at her home in Plains, Ga., with the Carter Center sharing the news while noting that she passed "peacefully, with family by her side." Rosalynn had entered hospice two days earlier, on Nov. 17.

Former President Carter said in a statement, per ABC News, "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.”

Ceremonies to celebrate Rosalynn's life are scheduled to take place between Monday, Nov. 27 and Wednesday, Nov. 29, the Carter Center announced on Monday, Nov. 20.

Members of the public are invited to pay their respects at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum and to view the family's motorcade as Rosalynn's remains are transported on Monday from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, to the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University, where wreaths will be laid. From there, Rosalynn will be transported to The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, where she will lie in repose throughout the evening.

On Tuesday, Rosalynn will be taken to Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University for a private tribute service, before her funeral is held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA, on Wednesday. She will be buried at the Carter's family residence.

Additional details about the motorcade's route will be provided closer to the services.

Rosalynn and Carter were the longest-married presidential couple in American history, and the two first met when Rosalynn was a newborn and Carter was three years old, as their parents were close friends.

Their first date was a trip to the movies, and as Carter revealed to The Washington Post in 2018, he told his mother immediately after the date that he was going to marry Rosalynn.

He was right, and the two tied the knot on July 7, 1946, when he was 21 and she was 18.

Rosalynn was a naval wife during the early years of their marriage, moving around often. But after Carter's father died in 1952, the family returned to Georgia to run the family farm, and soon Carter turned his focus to community and politics.

Between 1947 and 1967, the couple had four children: John William "Jack," James Earl "Chip" III, Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff," and Amy Lynn.

Mrs. Carter was always her husband's most devoted supporter. While he ran for governor–and later president–she campaigned endlessly, traveling all over to spread his message.

Once she became the state of Georgia's First Lady, Rosalynn turned her focus towards mental health and improving care for people with various disabilities.

During her time as First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn did not sit by idly. She was very active in her husband's presidency, sitting in on Cabinet meetings and talking about government issues while traveling throughout the country.

Rosalynn and Carter often discussed policies together and some criticized her for being so active and determined, something she took pride in. Along with mental health, Rosalynn also focused on other issues like unemployment, healthcare, and equal rights for women.

After the presidency, Rosalynn and Carter continued to work with charities and fight for the causes they cared about, founding The Carter Center and working with Habitat for Humanity. Carter even won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work advancing human rights and democracy.

When Parade asked Rosalynn what she hoped her legacy would be during a conversation in 2013, Rosalynn said: "I hope I’ve contributed something to the mental health field. But I hope people will think—I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities, I tried to take advantage of them."

In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with cancer, but it wasn't until 2023 that he transitioned into hospice care. Rosalynn was diagnosed with dementia a few months later, but the two still lived happily together, enjoying time with their family.