Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady of the United States, was a steadfast partner to her husband, President Jimmy Carter, for over seven decades. Throughout his gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, she provided unwavering support, evolving into a prominent public figure and outspoken activist in her own right. Rosalynn championed numerous causes, becoming a vocal advocate for various important issues. She passed away in 2023, followed a year later by her husband, after he entered hospice care.
The Carter Center announced in February 2023 that President Carter had chosen to receive hospice care at home, surrounded by his family. The statement read, “After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.”
Born Rosalynn Smith in 1927, she and Jimmy Carter were already acquainted through their families before beginning their courtship in 1945. Their romance blossomed while Jimmy attended the U.S. Naval Academy, with their relationship deepening during his breaks from school. They married in 1946, moving to Norfolk, Virginia, where Jimmy was stationed. That same year, Rosalynn graduated from Georgia Southwestern College.
The Carters had four children: Jack (1947), James Earl “Chip” (1950), Jeff (1952), and Amy (1967), all before Jimmy’s presidential campaign. By 2015, Rosalynn was a grandmother and great-grandmother to 22. As she told CNN, “So, we try to hold our family together and just enjoy the family life.”
A significant portion of Rosalynn Carter’s public life was dedicated to mental health advocacy. She served on both the Governor’s Commission (during Jimmy’s governorship) and the President’s Commission on Mental Health, playing a crucial role in the passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1979. Her commitment stemmed from a personal encounter in 1966 with a woman whose daughter struggled with mental illness. She continued her work long after leaving the White House, earning recognition from the American Psychological Association in 2010.
Following Jimmy Carter’s presidency, Rosalynn partnered with him to establish The Carter Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting human rights and alleviating suffering globally, including addressing mental health issues. The Center’s mission statement highlights its commitment to empowering individuals through skills development and resource access.
Beyond her humanitarian endeavors and time as First Lady, Rosalynn Carter authored five books. Her autobiography, *First Lady From Plains*, was published in 1984. *Everything To Gain*, co-written with Jimmy, explored their relationship. *Helping Yourself Help Others* provided guidance for caregivers, while her final two books, focused on mental health, culminated in *Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis* (2010).