Photos of the life of Rosalynn Carter

November 19, 2023 Benjamin Hughes

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter

Former President Jimmy Carter’s wife, who passed away on Sunday at 96, is being honored for her dedication to her family, the country, and philanthropy across the globe. Her spouse of 77 years, 99-year-old ex-President Jimmy Carter, is her sole survivor.

battling a rare form of cancer

The Carter Center announced that she passed away peacefully in her home in Plains, Georgia, with her family by her side. She had been fighting a rare type of cancer.diagnosed with dementia and had recently entered home hospice care.

Rosalynn Smith, the eldest of four siblings, was born on Aug. 18, 1927 in Plains. She began dating Jimmy Carter at the age of 18 and they tied the knot the following year in 1946.

Jimmy Carter and his family moved to different cities while he was in the Navy, but eventually settled back in Plains to manage their peanut business. During this time, they had three sons and a daughter.

Carter Family in 1976 — In 1976, Jimmy Carter, along with his wife Rosalynn Carter and their daughter Amy, attended a Baptist church in Plains, Georgia, where he grew up.

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She supported her husband during his political career and served as a trusted advisor to him while they were in the public eye.

In 1970, Jimmy Carter was chosen as the governor of Georgia. Six years later, he ran for the position of president. He was successful in securing the Democratic nomination and ultimately emerged victorious over Republican contender Gerald Ford in the general election.

Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, Chip Carter During 1976 New Hampshire Presidential Primary — In 1976, Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter attended a campaign event for the New Hampshire presidential primary.

Ann Limongello /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Jimmy And Rosalynn Carter Embrace, 1976. — On November 2, 1976, Jimmy Carter’s wife Rosalynn hugged him as he learned of his triumph in the presidential election.

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

On January 20, 1977, Democrat Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president of the United States. Chief Justice Earl Burger administered the oath while first lady Rosalynn watched in Washington DC. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Following their relocation to the White House, Rosalynn Carter utilized her role as first lady to raise awareness and advocate for improved understanding of mental illness. She also held the position of honorary chairperson for the President’s Commission on Mental Health.

Rosalynn Carter on the Campaign Trail — On October 5, 1979, Rosalynn Carter, the first lady, is seen speaking on the phone while on her aircraft, as she heads back from a campaign visit to Florida.

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In 1980, President Carter was not reelected and this marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Carters’ lives.

The Carter Center, located in Atlanta, was established with the goal of advocating for peace and resolving conflicts. Additionally, they dedicated many years to Habitat for Humanity, constructing homes for those in need.

The Carter Center staff wrote a tribute after her death, stating that she and her husband, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, were partners in doing good deeds. Together, they traveled the world to promote democracy, resolve conflicts, protect human rights, and eradicate diseases after their time in the White House. Her legacy will continue to inspire us.

Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project — Jimmy Carter, the previous president, and his spouse, Rosalynn Carter, participated in constructing a house at Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project in Denver on October 9, 2013.

RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images

NORWAY-PEACE PRIZE-CARTER — In 2002, Jimmy Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize. He and his wife Rosalynn signed the guestbook at the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway while members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee observed.

-/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Check out additional pictures showcasing the remarkable life of Rosalynn Carter:

First lady Rosalynn Carter is seen circa the 1970s. — In the 1970s, Rosalynn Carter served as the first lady.

Images Press/Getty Images

First lady Rosalynn Carter climbs the steps to her plane during a trip to Texas in September 1978. — In September 1978, First Lady Rosalynn Carter ascended the steps to her plane while on a trip to Texas.

Diana Walker/Getty Images

US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter dance at a White House Congressional Ball, Washington — On December 13, 1978, President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter danced at a Congressional Ball held at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Marion S. Trikosko / Getty Images

Barbara Walters interviews President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter in 1978, — In December of 1978, Barbara Walters conducted an interview with President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter (on the right).

HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with daughter Amy — The White House has released a portrait of President-elect Jimmy Carter, along with his wife Rosalynn and their daughter Amy.

AP

Photo of Elvis Presley & Jimmy Carter & Rosalynn Carter — In 1977, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn met with Elvis Presley.

/ Getty Images

The Carters and the Sadats at Giza Pyramids — President Anwar al-Sadat of Egypt and his wife Jehan are pictured with President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter at the Pyramids on March 10, 1979 during a diplomatic visit.

© Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Jimmy Carter Habitat for Humanity 1992 — On March 27, 1992, Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke gave a tour of the Sandtown Project to Former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter. The Carters were visiting to launch the Sandtown Habitat for Humanity initiative, which aimed to renovate 100 abandoned homes.

Carlos Osorio / AP

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter at work renovating a tenement on the East 6th Street in the East Village in Manhattan on September 4, 1984. — Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were actively involved in renovating a tenement in Manhattan on September 4, 1984 as part of their volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity.

The photo is credited to Jim Peppler from Newsday RM via Getty Images.

Six First Ladies — On November 4, 1991, at the dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Rosalynn Carter, and Betty Ford (from left to right) were present.

Marcy Nighswander / AP

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in Mosebo, Ethiopia, 9-15-05, where the Carter Center is fighting the eye disease trachoma. — In September 2005, former US President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn visited Mosebo, a village in Ethiopia, along with a delegation from the Carter Center. The Center has been actively involved in eliminating the eye disease trachoma in Mosebo, which can lead to blindness.

AP/Carter Center/Vanessa Vick

Georgia On His Mind — In September 2004, the ex-president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn were accompanied by country singer Willie Nelson for a performance in Plains, Georgia, the Carters’ birthplace.

AP

Jimmy Carter; Rosalynn Carter — On September 10, 2007, Jimmy Carter, the previous President, and his wife Rosalynn Carter were photographed together at the Toronto International Film Festival.

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady, gave a speech at a hearing held by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in Washington, D.C. on May 26, 2011. In her speech, she advocated for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which aims to provide older Americans with access to care-giving services.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Rosalynn Carter, Michelle Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, George W. Bush, and Nancy Reagan were all in attendance at the funeral of former first lady Betty Ford on July 12, 2011, in Palm Desert, California.

The image is credited to David Hume Kennerly from the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum, via Getty Images.

On April 25, 2013 in Dallas, Texas, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, and Rosalynn Carter were introduced during the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Jimmy And Rosalynn Carter Campaign With Jason Carter In Columbus — On October 27, 2014, State Senator Jason Carter, who is running for governor in Georgia as a Democrat, attended a campaign event at Emmanuel Christian Community Church with his grandparents, former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter.

Jessica McGowan / Getty Images

Carter Anniversary — On February 8, 2017, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn made an appearance at a ribbon cutting event for a solar panel project on their farmland in Plains, Georgia.

David Goldman / AP

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter — On January 20, 2017, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Biden Carter Visit — On April 30, 2021, The White House released a photo of former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the Carters’ residence in Plains, Georgia.

Adam Schultz / AP

Source: cbsnews.com