PLAINS, Ga. — Former first lady Rosalynn Carter died peacefully Nov. 19, with her family at her side at her home in Plains, Georgia, according to a statement from The Carter Center. She was 96.
Rosalynn Carter was married for 77 years to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, who is now 99 years old.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” the former president said in a statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it,” he said. “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
The Carters were the first presidential couple to welcome a pope to the White House, when St. John Paul II visited them there on Oct. 6, 1979.
Rosalynn Carter was described in The Carter Center statement as “a passionate champion of mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights.” She was a key surrogate in Jimmy Carter’s political campaigns and broke the mold by having her own active office in the East Wing of the White House.
Following their time in the White House, the Carters, devout Baptists, participated in programs including Habitat for Humanity.
“The Carters lent a hand to Habitat for Humanity as a young, fledging organization and created global awareness of our work and of our mission,” Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International's CEO, said in a statement.
The Carters were active members at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. “Mrs. Carter has selflessly served her congregation and her community as a Sunday School teacher, a deacon, and the founder of the church’s food ministry,” which now serves “thousands of pounds of food to hundreds of local families on the third Saturday of each month,” the church posted to its Facebook page.
“Although she is no longer present with us on this earth, we rejoice in knowing that her fellowship is now in Heaven with her Savior and Friend, our Redeemer, Jesus,” the post said.
In a statement offering condolences to the Carter family, President Joe Biden, who is Catholic, and first lady Jill Biden noted their friendship with the Carters spanned more than four decades.
Rosalynn Carter, they said, “lived her life by her faith” and was “a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities.”
“Above all,” the Biden said, “the deep love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership, and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.”
In addition to her husband, Rosalynn Carter is survived by her children Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by another grandson, Jeremy Carter, who died in 2015.
Ceremonies honoring her life take place Nov. 27 through Nov. 29 in Atlanta and Sumter County, Georgia, The Carter Center said. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects at the repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @kgscanlon.