Former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter has died at the age of 96. Her husband Jimmy described her as an “equal partner” – she had already attracted political attention during his term in office.
Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady of the United States, is dead. The 96-year-old wife of former President Jimmy Carter died “peacefully with her family” in her hometown of Plains, Georgia, a foundation founded by the Carters said .
“Rosalynn has been my equal partner in everything I have ever accomplished,” the foundation quoted 99-year-old Jimmy Carter as saying. “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew that someone loved and supported me.”
In May it became public that Rosalynn Carter was suffering from dementia. The foundation finally announced last Friday that the 96-year-old was receiving palliative care at home. Jimmy Carter has also been receiving palliative care at home with his family since mid-February.
The Democratic politician from the state of Georgia in the southern United States was US President from 1977 to 1981, until he was replaced by the Republican Ronald Reagan. He is the oldest living former US president. In September he surprised everyone with a public appearance at a peanut parade in his hometown of Plains.
Together in the White House – this photo of the Carter couple was taken at the Christmas ball in 1978.
At the cabinet table
Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in August 1927. She was the oldest of four children. Her father died early and she took on a lot of responsibility for her siblings and in the household.
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter married in 1946 – the couple has four children. The former first lady campaigned for social issues and wrote several books. She is said to have had significant influence on policy in the White House during her husband’s presidency. She took part in cabinet meetings and also commented on politically sensitive issues. Both of these distinguished her from previous presidential wives. Some companions considered her to be the more political person of the two.