Update (Sunday Nov 19, 2023): Former first lady, Rosalyn Carter has passed away at the age of 96. Her passing was announced by The Carter Center:
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a passionate champion of mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights, passed away Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2:10 p.m. at her home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 96. She died peacefully, with family by her side.
Mrs. Carter was married for 77 years to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is now 99 years old.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President 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.”
She is survived by her children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy — and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A grandson died in 2015.
“Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right,” said Chip Carter. “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.”
Update (Saturday Nov 18, 2023):
Rosalynn Carter, the 96 year-old, former first lady has entered hospice care at the family home in Plains Georgia. News came on Friday according to a statement from the Carter Center. The Carter’s grandson said they both “are spending time with each other and their family” and are “grateful for the outpouring of love and support.”
Mrs. Carter’s hospice announcement comes nine months after former President Jimmy Carter went into hospice care and six months after Mrs. Carter was diagnosed with dementia.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have been married for 77 years. Married in 1946 President Carter said that marrying Rosalynn was the “most important thing in my life.”
Former President Jimmy Carter has had his wife Rosalynn Carter by his side for decades. They are still married and living happily together in their home in Georgia, but not all is well in the Carter family.
The Carter family previously announced that Jimmy Carter is in hospice care at his home. This is a type of in-home health care that is usually considered an end of life type of care that focuses more on keeping the patient comfortable than trying to heal them from something.
Now, there’s more sad news in the Carter family. The family has announced that Rosalynn Carter has received her own diagnosis. The 95-year-old former first lady has been diagnosed with dementia.
Some find this ironic considering she spent much of her life advocating for people with mental illness.
A statement released by the Carter family stays upbeat about the diagnosis explaining that despite her diagnosis, Rosalynn “continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones.”
The statement also explains Mrs. Carter’s own view of life and “caregivers.” The statement reads, “Mrs. Carter often noted that there are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” The statement ends, “We do not expect to comment further and ask for understanding for our family and for everyone across the country serving in a caregiver role.”
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have been married for 77 years. They are still happily married, and at this point, it’s easy to believe their marriage will last until the end of their lives.
