Rosalynn Carter, the influential political and policy adviser to President Jimmy Carter and a trailblazer for First Ladies, passed away at the age of 96 on November 19 at her home in Plains, Georgia. The announcement came from the Carter Centre in Atlanta, which revealed in May that Mrs. Carter had been battling dementia and later, in November, entered hospice care.
Rosalynn Carter played a pivotal role in reshaping the role of the First Lady by creating the modern Office of the First Lady during her husband’s presidency. Beyond her official duties, she became a fierce advocate for mental health, championing better treatment for the mentally ill both during her years in the White House and throughout the four decades that followed.
The Carters celebrated an impressive 77-year marriage, making it the longest presidential union in U.S. history. Their final months were spent together at their family home in Plains, a town in southwest Georgia that held deep significance for the couple.
Rosalynn Carter’s legacy is marked by her dedication to public service, her advocacy for mental health issues, and her enduring partnership with President Jimmy Carter. As the nation mourns her passing, her impact on American politics and social causes will be remembered for generations to come.
