Washington:
Former US first woman Rosalynn Carter, the spouse of former president Jimmy Carter, died Sunday at age 96 on the couple’s residence within the southern state of Georgia, their nonprofit group introduced.
Rosalynn Carter was greatest identified for her work post-White Home, as she and her husband championed human rights, democracy and well being points world wide — all whereas sustaining a notably humble public picture.
She had joined her husband in at-home hospice care on Friday after being identified with dementia in Might.
“Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, a passionate champion of mental health, caregiving and women’s rights, passed away Sunday… at her home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 96,” the Carter Middle mentioned in an announcement.
“She died peacefully, with family by her side.”
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Jimmy Carter mentioned within the assertion.
“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,” the previous Democratic president mentioned.
All through Jimmy Carter’s lengthy political profession, his spouse was on the coronary heart of his campaigns. As soon as within the White Home — from 1977 to 1981 — Rosalynn Carter stood out as a primary woman intent on being concerned in coverage.
“She attended Cabinet meetings and major briefings, frequently represented the Chief Executive at ceremonial occasions and served as the president’s personal emissary to Latin American countries,” in accordance with the White Home web site.
‘Sorely missed’
Rosalynn Carter was born within the small city of Plains on August 18, 1927, as the primary of 4 youngsters. At 13 her father died and he or she labored alongside her mom, who grew to become a dressmaker to make ends meet.
She met Jimmy Carter in 1945 whereas she was in school and he was on go away from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
They married in 1946, and maintain a number of longevity data in US politics: the longest-wed presidential couple and, for 99-year-old Jimmy Carter, the oldest residing US president.
In response to the Carter Middle, the previous first woman is survived by her 4 youngsters, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, after shedding a grandson in 2015.
“Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary first lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right,” the Carters’ son Chip Carter mentioned within the Middle’s assertion.
“She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.”
The household introduced in February this yr that Jimmy Carter had entered hospice care in Plains — on the identical modest home he and Rosalynn have lived in for the reason that Sixties.
The one-term Democratic president has since stunned many by persevering with to welcome guests, obtain information concerning the Carter Middle’s humanitarian work, and incessantly get pleasure from ice cream, in accordance with his household.
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