Rosalynn Carter, the former First Lady of the United States and wife to President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981, passed away this Sunday at the age of 96, according to the Carter Center Foundation. Her loss marks the passing of a prominent advocate whose public life spanned decades of civic and humanitarian work.
The Carter Center announced on X that Rosalynn Carter died this afternoon in Plains, Georgia, a town deeply connected to the Carter family. The statement highlighted her long-standing partnership with her husband and her own substantial contributions to society through decades of public service.
In recent days, Rosalynn Carter began receiving palliative care at home, a step that her family has described as a compassionate approach to comfort and quality of life. Her husband, Jimmy Carter, has also been receiving care, reflecting a mutual decision rooted in family closeness during the final moments of their lives together.
Earlier this year it was disclosed that 99-year-old Jimmy Carter had started palliative care at home after multiple hospital stays. The couple’s enduring partnership has been a hallmark of their public narrative, illustrating a lifetime spent in shared devotion and mutual support.
The former president paid tribute to his late wife, saying, “Rosalynn was my partner in everything I accomplished.” In statements reflecting her dementia diagnosis from the previous year, he noted that she offered wise guidance and encouragement, always ensuring there was love and unwavering support in his life.
Their grandson, Jason Carter, in an interview from earlier this fall, acknowledged that the couple had discussed the reality of their closing chapters but emphasized that their bond remained strong and unbroken until the end. The Carter family’s public reflections have underscored a deep, multi-generational connection to service and partnership.
Rosalynn Carter is survived by her children Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, along with eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. A grandson passed away in 2015, an event noted by the family in remembrances of their lineage and shared history.
The Carter Center described Rosalynn Carter as having died peacefully with family by her side. She was celebrated as a passionate champion for mental health, caregiver support, and women’s rights, areas where she championed policy discussions and community programs for many years.
In tributes, the Carter Center recalled that Rosalynn Carter stood beside Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, for seventy-seven years and played a significant role in the United States’ social and humanitarian landscape. The couple’s work helped elevate discussions around global human rights and peace, earning them recognition, including a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Beyond her public responsibilities, Rosalynn Carter was celebrated as a loving mother and a remarkable First Lady who used her platform to push for tangible improvements in people’s lives. Her son Chip Carter described her as a great humanitarian in her own right, underscoring the broad impact of her advocacy across generations and communities.
The Carter family has recently called for better access to care and for reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Their message has continued to resonate with many Americans and Canadians who recognize the ongoing need to address dementia and aging with compassion and practical support.
Rosalynn Carter’s philosophy, often summarized in her stated belief that caregiving matters is one of the four types of people in the world — those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers now, those who will need care in the future, and those who will provide care — remains a lasting reminder of the interconnectedness of family, health, and social policy. Her life’s work, rooted in care and advocacy, leaves a lasting legacy that shapes conversations about mental health, aging, and women’s empowerment for years to come. Attribution: The Carter Center and family statements provide the confirmed context and tribute surrounding her public life and passing.