Rosalynn Carter death: Jimmy Carter leads tributes to former first lady

Rosalyn and Jimmy Carter later agreed that she was more political, PBS reported.

She’s had her own ideas since he was campaigning for the Georgia Senate. Mr. Carter reportedly spoke to voters in line, including one factory worker who cared for a child suffering from mental illness.

The next day, she told her husband, “I want to know what you’re going to do about mental health when you become governor.” He vowed to put her in charge of it. Rosalynn Carter then dedicated her life’s efforts to improving the mental health of Americans.

From 1977 to 1978, she served as Chair Emeritus of the President’s Commission on Mental Health. After Carter’s defeat in 1980, the couple founded the Carter Center, an institution dedicated to “human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.”

Eleanor Rosalyn Smith was born on August 18, 1927 in Plains, Georgia. Her nurse who gave birth to her was Lillian Carter, the mother of her future husband.

Rosalyn, the oldest, was driven to help out extra around the house after her father died when she was 13 years old. She helped take care of her siblings, did sewing and took on household chores.

A few years later, she attended Georgia Southwestern University at Americus, where she met the man who would one day become president.

In 1946 the couple married. While Jimmy Carter was in the Navy, the family moved around until they were deported back to their hometown of the Plains to take over a peanut farm. Rosalyn also began working on the farm full time.

When Mr. Carter entered public office, Rosalyn became his right-hand man. She sat in on his cabinet meetings as president, took an early interest in mental health advocacy, and guided many of his successful campaigns.

The rest of their careers were marked by a life as civil servants. Together with Habitat for Humanity, they built a home and founded the Carter Center, which aims to destigmatize mental health issues.

After Jimmy Carter’s first date with then-17-year-old Rosalynn Smith, he reportedly told his mother, “She’s the woman I want to marry.”

The two married a year later in 1946.

Mr. Carter ran successful campaigns for Georgia State Senate, Georgia Governor, and ultimately President, all with his wife by his side.

After President Carter’s defeat in 1980, the two devoted themselves to humanitarian causes, including starting the Carter Center and building Habitat for Humanity Houses.

Together they raised four children and 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Earlier this year, their grandson said the couple was in the “final chapter” of their lives after former President Carter entered hospice care. “They’re still here, they’re still holding hands, they’re very much together,” he said.

Former President Carter celebrated his 77th wedding anniversary this summer.

“Looking back at their accomplishments, it was truly amazing to see the outpouring of support, respect and love,” grandson Jason Carter said recently. “The word love certainly defines their personal relationships, but also the way they approach this world.”

The two describe their marriage as a “full partnership,” raise a family, run a peanut farm, have political careers before and in the White House, and a consistent commitment to humanitarian causes. hinted at.

One of the tributes posted on Twitter Sunday evening after Rosalynn Carter’s death symbolized her family’s legacy. It was from Bernice King, the granddaughter of slain civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“She will be remembered for her commitment to peace and her tireless efforts alongside her husband, former President #JimmyCarter, to make a positive impact on our country and the world. During this difficult time, Our hearts go out to President Carter and the Carter family,” King wrote in two posts.

Washington’s chatty class didn’t quite know what to make of outsiders, and when Rosalynn Carter arrived as first lady, they called her “Magnolia of Steel.”

A devout Baptist and mother of four, she was small and shy in appearance, with a soft smile and a soft Southern accent. That was “Magnolia.” She was also the driving force behind Jimmy Carter’s rise from peanut farmer to winner of his 1976 presidential election. That was “steel”.

But that obvious, commonplace nickname was a symbol of her role throughout the Carters’ early years, their first term in the White House, and the next 40 years as global humanitarians who advocated peace, democracy, and the eradication of disease. It is almost certain that he underestimated his influence.

Until her death Sunday at the age of 96, Rosalynn Carter was the 39th president’s business and political partner, confidant, and closest confidante through more than 77 years of marriage.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie expressed thoughtful praise for the former first lady on Sunday, becoming the only 2024 Republican candidate to do so when his statement was circulated on Twitter.

“My prayers go out to the Carter family on the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. She was an example of selfless public service, and her marriage to Carter was an example of a true loving partnership. Mary Pat and I pray for her, President Carter, and their entire family.”

Donald Trump’s wife Melania, the former first lady, also released a statement, but her husband’s Truth social feed remained silent.

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter and her husband Jimmy have long held a special position of honor for Americans, especially Democrats. Their dedication to causes like Habitat for Humanity endeared them to millions of Americans.

After news of her death broke on Sunday, members of the House Democratic Caucus expressed their sadness on Twitter.

Former first lady Melania Trump was among the Republicans who attended Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service on Sunday.

“Rosalynn Carter left a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady, but also as a wife and mother. We will always remember her servant’s heart and dedication to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace,” Trump wrote.

Her husband had not posted a similar statement more than 30 minutes later.