Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the devoted wife of the nation’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter, and a tireless advocate for mental health care, has died at the age of 96. The Carter Center confirmed that she died Sunday morning at her home in Plains, Georgia.
The former first lady and the former president were married for 77 years. Together, they had four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Jimmy Carter said in a statement from the Carter Center. “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.”
Throughout her husband’s political career, Rosalynn Carter was his most fervent supporter. She transformed the role of first lady into a full-time job, being the first presidential spouse to set up an office in the East Wing and hire a full staff. She was a trusted adviser to the president, participating in foreign and domestic affairs.
Carter was also a passionate advocate for mental health care and human rights. She lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment and became the honorary chair of the President’s Commission on Mental Health, leading efforts to pass the Mental Health Systems Act in 1980, which provides grants to community mental health centers. She also worked to immunize children against preventable diseases and founded the Carter Center’s Mental Health program to continue fighting the stigma and discrimination of people with mental illnesses.
After leaving the White House, the Carters continued to make a difference in the world by founding the Carter Center, a nonprofit that strives to improve the quality of life, alleviate suffering, and advance human rights through various programs. They also became champions for Habitat for Humanity, starting the annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, a week-long home building effort to help families in need.
Rosalynn Carter was known for her compassion, determination, and fiery desire to make things better. Her influence will continue to be felt in the numerous ways she worked to improve the lives of others.
The Carters lived modestly in the one-story ranch in Plains that they built in the 1960s. They remained active in their elder years, traveling, managing The Carter Center in Atlanta, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
Rosalynn Carter’s legacy as a compassionate advocate for mental health care and human rights will continue to inspire others for generations to come.