Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the devoted wife of the nation’s 39th president and a tireless advocate for mental health care, has died.
Rosalynn Carter, wife of the 39th president Jimmy Carter, has died at the couple’s Georgia home aged 96.
Carter, who became one of the nation’s leading mental health advocates during and after her husband’s time in the White House, was diagnosed with dementia in May. On Friday, her family announced she had entered hospice care at home, joining her 99-year-old husband in end-of-life treatment in the Plains one-story residence they shared since before Jimmy Carter was elected a Georgia state senator in 1962.
The former president has been in hospice care there since February after declining further medical intervention for his own health issues
Former first lady and former President Jimmy Carter were married for 77 years. She and the former president had four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
US President Joe Biden paid tribute to Mrs Carter, saying she “walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way. we send our love to the entire Carter family and the countless people whose lives are better, fuller, and brighter because of Rosalynn Carter, President Biden posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama said, When our family was in the White House, every so often, Rosalynn would join me for lunch, offering a few words of advice and always a helping hand. She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity.
Former President George W Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush said Mrs. Carter was “a woman of dignity and strength. In a statement, they said:
There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity.
“She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental health.”