Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former US President Jimmy Carter, passed away last night (Sunday) at the age of 96. The family statement said that Carter "died peacefully surrounded by her family" at her home in Plains, Georgia.
US President Joe Biden eulogized her death and said that she "always went her own way, and inspired the nation and the whole world in that way. She worked for equal opportunities for women and girls, for the mentally ill and the peace of mind of all human beings, she supported the often transparent caregivers of our children, for our elderly and disabled loved ones. On behalf of a grateful nation, I send my love to the Carter family and all those whose lives are better because of Rosalynn."
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married for 77 years, longer than any other presidential couple in US history. The two married in 1946, when Jimmy was 21 and Rosalynn was just 18. Since last February, 99-year-old Jimmy has been in hospice care, and last Friday it was said that Rosalynn was transferred to similar treatment.
During her life Rosalynn Carter worked in the field of mental health, with the main part of her work being in the fields of protecting those suffering from mental difficulties. During her husband's term as president, she served as the chairperson of the White House's Mental Health Committee, and led, among other things, to the passage of a law to fund mental health centers in the US. Even after the end of Carter's term in 1981, Rosalynn continued to work to promote human rights issues through the "Carter Center" established by the couple.
