Former First Lady
Emotional funeral service for Rosalynn Carter
Jimmy Carter at the memorial service for his wife Rosalynn at Glenn Memorial Church. photo
© Andrew Harnik/AP/dpa
US President Joe Biden and the Clintons have come: They are remembering the former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. 99-year-old Jimmy Carter also pays his last respects to his wife.
US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill were among the guests at the ceremony. All living former first ladies of the USA also paid their last respects to Rosalynn Carter: Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. The former US Secretary of State was accompanied by her husband, former President Bill Clinton. The Clintons and Michelle Obama had previously traveled to Atlanta with the Bidens aboard Air Force One.
Married for 77 years
Rosalynn Carter’s health had rapidly deteriorated before her death. In May it became public that she was suffering from dementia. She was most recently cared for palliatively at home. Jimmy Carter has also been receiving palliative care with his family since mid-February. He has been struggling with health problems for several years and is no longer taking any further medical steps. The Democratic politician from Georgia was US President from 1977 to 1981.
The Carters were married for 77 years. Rosalynn Carter had a significant influence on the role of First Lady in the USA. Later she became particularly involved in the area of mental health. She is considered a pioneer in the fight for better treatment. “She served our country as one of the most active and successful first ladies,” a longtime aide said at the memorial service. Rosalynn Carter’s son Chip Carter said, “My mother was the glue that held our family together.”