Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has passed away at the age of 96, the Carter Center announced. The humanitarian, mental health advocate and wife of our 39th president Jimmy Carter died peacefully surrounded by family at the Carter home in Plains, Georgia Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Carter had been battling Alzheimer’s and entered hospice care just last week. She is survived by her four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. And her husband and partner of 77 years. 

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President Carter said. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

“Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right,” said Chip Carter. “Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.”

Like her husband, Rosalynn Carter spent her decades after leaving the White House working tirelessly on humanitarian efforts around the world. “Do what you can to show you care about others and you will make the world a better place,” she said. Mrs. Carter was also an early advocate for mental health issues, helping tackle the stigma long associated with mental illness.  

The gracious southern lady from Georgia, who captured the heart of a young Navy officer as a teenager and was at his side for nearly 80 years leaves a mark on the world few of our First Ladies can match. 

Thank you, Mrs. Carter, may you rest in peace. 

The schedule of memorial services and funeral arrangements will be posted at www.rosalynncartertribute.org.