Remembering Rosalynn Carter: Mental Health Advocate, Humanitarian, and Former First Lady Passes Away at 96

Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady who made significant contributions to mental health reform and revolutionized the role of the president's spouse, passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 96. The Carter Center confirmed her demise, stating that she was surrounded by her loved ones at her residence in Plains, Georgia.

On Friday, the Carter Center made a statement regarding the former first lady's entrance into hospice care. After being diagnosed with dementia in May, her husband had started receiving home hospice care in February, subsequent to multiple hospitalizations.

Jimmy Carter's presidency came to an end when he was overwhelmingly defeated by Ronald Reagan. Despite facing numerous challenges, including high inflation and the Iran hostage crisis, Carter managed to achieve a significant milestone by brokering a lasting peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. Throughout his tenure, his wife Rosalynn remained a constant source of support and guidance. Following their time in the White House, the Carters went on to redefine the role of former presidents by spearheading global initiatives for peace and human rights. Their joint efforts, facilitated through the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, focused on advocating for peaceful resolutions, combating diseases, and instilling hope in communities worldwide.

Rosalynn Carter's most enduring personal contribution will be her advocacy work to reduce the discrimination faced by individuals with mental illnesses and her advocacy for equal access to mental health treatment. Additionally, she dedicated her time to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University, in order to support families and professional caregivers who are caring for individuals with disabilities and illnesses.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon both Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter, the highest civilian honor in the nation. He commended them, stating that they had made more positive impacts on more individuals in more locations than any other couple in the world.

The Steel Magnolia

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter shared what many would call a true American story and a genuine lifelong partnership.

The 39th president, when he revealed his brain cancer diagnosis in 2015, was questioned about his proudest achievement. Without any hesitation, he stated that marrying Rosalynn was the highlight of his life.

Furthermore, he later disclosed the key to his long-lasting marriage.

Rosalynn has been the cornerstone of my happiness in life. Firstly, it is crucial to select the perfect woman, which I have achieved. Additionally, we respect each other's need for personal space," he stated during an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN's "The Lead" in July 2015.

Given their shared upbringing in Plains, Georgia, it was highly probable for Eleanor Rosalynn Smith to cross paths with Jimmy Carter. They were raised in a time when candy was priced at a mere nickel, and the tight-knit community ensured that everyone knew each other.

With a modest upbringing, Rosalynn lacked financial abundance. Her mother worked as a dressmaker while her father, an automobile mechanic, succumbed to cancer when she was only 13. Taking on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings, Rosalynn perceived her father's demise as the culmination of her childhood.

The Carters were introduced through Ruth, Jimmy's sister and Rosalynn's closest friend. Rosalynn was captivated by a photo of Carter displayed on Ruth's bedroom wall, considering him the most attractive man she had ever laid eyes on. In fact, she even requested Ruth's permission to bring his photograph home with her. As devoted Southern Baptists, Jimmy and Rosalynn crossed paths after a church gathering and subsequently started dating. They tied the knot shortly after Jimmy's completion of studies at the Naval Academy, with Rosalynn being 18 years old and Jimmy 21.

As a naval officer's wife, Rosalynn had to adapt to frequent relocations and oversee a large household. The Carters became parents to three children in rapid succession: John William ("Jack") arrived the year following their wedding in Norfolk, followed by James Earl ("Chip") III less than three years later in Hawaii, and Donnel Jeffrey ("Jeff") in New London, Connecticut, in 1952. Their only daughter, Amy Lynn, blessed their lives in 1967, a year after Carter's unsuccessful attempt at becoming the governor of Georgia.

After being accepted into an esteemed nuclear submarine program, Jimmy Carter made the difficult choice to resign his commission in Schenectady, New York following his father's passing. The reason behind this decision was to ensure that they could return to Plains in 1953 and take care of their family farm. Regrettably, he had not sought Rosalynn's input or consent before relocating the family, causing her immense anger and resulting in her refusing to communicate with him during the entire journey south.

Following this incident, Jimmy Carter made a significant commitment to include his wife in all future major decisions.

Rosalynn earned the nickname "Steel Magnolia" from the press, a title she embraced. In an interview with C-SPAN, she explained that she found strength in the combination of toughness represented by steel and the Southern charm associated with magnolias. Initially shy, Rosalynn used to feel nervous and her knees would knock together when she had to deliver speeches during her husband's early days in politics in the 1960s.

However, by the time her husband announced his presidential campaign in December 1974, Rosalynn had developed into an experienced politician in her own right.

As an aide to Carter, Stuart Eizenstat marvelled at the remarkable transformation of this once shy housewife into a confident political partner.

Soon after, she began cataloging the president's jokes to ensure he didn't repeat them to the same audience. She even enrolled in memory classes to master recognizing faces and remembering names. Additionally, she diligently typed thank-you letters to individuals her husband had encountered during his campaign. Her dedication was evident as she burned the midnight oil, laboring on her speeches until the early hours of the morning.

First lady from Plains

Carter entered the presidential race with the intention of presenting himself as a fresh face in Washington, aiming to separate himself from the atmosphere of distrust and skepticism that was prevalent during the tenure of former President Richard Nixon. To boost his campaign, he assembled a team of volunteers from Georgia who became known as the "Peanut Brigade."

Rosalynn embarked on her journey with determination. Upon reaching a quaint town, she sought out the highest antennae, leading her to the local television and radio stations. Her intention was to offer herself for an interview. In her memoir, she revealed that certain smaller stations, lacking in manpower, were unfamiliar with Jimmy Carter.

Rosalynn anticipated this and arrived equipped with a set of five or six questions she desired to be addressed. She stated that on the majority of occasions, the stations indeed utilized the suggested questions.

For 18 months during the presidential campaign, she went to 105 communities in Iowa and spent 75 days in Florida in support of her husband.

In her memoir, she wrote that her nerves started to fade away as she noticed that people were glad to meet her. However, she still struggled with a dry throat and occasionally a trembling voice when facing interviews or giving speeches.

Carter achieved a close win, securing only 51% of the popular vote and 297 electoral votes to defeat President Gerald Ford, who had taken over the presidency after Nixon's resignation in 1974.

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As he turns 99, Jimmy Carters hometown honors the former president as a global humanitarian - and a good friend

Ignoring security concerns and deviating from tradition, the Carters chose to walk hand-in-hand with their daughter Amy along Pennsylvania Avenue following the inauguration ceremony. This decision stemmed from their shared desire to establish a connection with the public and distance themselves from what they perceived as Nixon's authoritative presidency.

Remarkably, Rosalynn Carter donned the same gold-embroidered sleeveless coat paired with a blue chiffon dress that she had worn to her husband's gubernatorial inauguration in 1971. This outfit, crafted by designer Mary Matise for Jimmae, was procured from a store in Americus, Georgia, and reprised for the 1977 presidential inaugural galas.

As a young girl, she was inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt, the then-first lady who held tremendous global influence and tackled important issues like civil rights and poverty. When she became the first lady herself, Rosalynn revolutionized the role by being the first to hire a chief of staff with the same government salary and rank as the president's chief of staff.

Additionally, she became the first first lady to operate from the East Wing, a departure from the tradition of working from the private residence on the second or third floors of the White House. During her time, the number of full-time positions in the East Wing grew by nearly 20%. However, her ambitious approach garnered criticism, particularly due to her controversial decision to attend her husband's Cabinet meetings.

Rosalynn Carter, in her role as the first lady, actively campaigned for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. This amendment aimed to address gender-based discrimination and prohibit it under the Constitution.

Steven Hochman, the director of research at the Carter Center and someone who has collaborated with the Carters since 1981, highlighted Rosalynn's increasing willingness to publicly express disagreement with her husband over the years. While delivering speeches, President Carter often recounted a story from his childhood when one of his elementary school teachers would tell the students that "any child could become the president."

According to Rosalynn's memoir, she and her husband would have lunch together in the Oval Office every Wednesday, mirroring the vice president's weekly lunch with the president. This tradition began because Rosalynn had important matters to discuss, such as their personal finances, their children, and topics she was deeply passionate about, including mental health.

Before their weekly lunches, the president used to be bombarded with a barrage of questions and suggestions as soon as he stepped off the elevator on the second floor at the end of the day. He would engage in discussions with mothers regarding the impact of soaring fuel prices on their family budgets and also meet with children attending struggling schools, as she believed it was crucial to bring these pressing issues to his attention.

Upon the president proposing a weekly lunch, she took it upon herself to coordinate these conversations by meticulously organizing them and jotting down important notes in a brown leather folder. Throughout the week, she would add various notes to the folder, which resided on her desk in her bedroom. When she joined the president for their Wednesday lunch, the folder was brimming with information.

Mental health crusade

Mental health became Rosalynn Carter's focal point during her husband's 1970 campaign for governor, as she encountered a multitude of individuals inquiring about her plans to support family members struggling with mental illness.

In an interview with the Carter Center decades later, she recounted a moment when Jimmy was speaking at a rally. She decided to join the line of people waiting to shake hands with him. When Jimmy saw her, he grinned and asked why she was there. She replied that she had come to see what he planned to do about mental health as governor.

She had a distant cousin who suffered from mental illness. She vividly remembered how she would run and hide whenever she heard him singing loudly while walking down the streets of their small town. Reflecting on this, the former first lady wrote in her memoir that her cousin, despite his desire for friendship and recognition, was viewed as different. His presence would prompt her instinct to flee.

The impact was so profound on her that she dedicated a significant amount of her time in the White House to championing improved care for individuals with mental illnesses. As the first lady of Georgia, she played a crucial role in redirecting treatment towards community mental health centers, and in the White House, she aided her husband in establishing a Presidential Commission on Mental Health.

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter poses for a portrait in New York in 2011.

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Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married on July 7, 1946. Both were born and raised in Plains, Georgia.

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Jimmy Carter, then a Georgia state senator, hugs his wife at his campaign headquarters in Atlanta in 1966.

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Rosalynn works the phones for her husband's presidential campaign in May 1976.

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The Carters embrace after receiving news that Jimmy had won the presidential election in November 1976.

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Rosalynn is interviewed by Barbara Walters for a TV special that aired in December 1976.

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In January 1977, as they make their way down Pennsylvania Avenue after the inauguration, the Carters diligently grasp onto Amy's hand. This symbolic act marks a historic moment, as it was the first time ever when a president chose not to ride in a carriage or automobile to commemorate the inauguration and instead opted for this heartfelt gesture toward the White House, where their oath of office was taken.

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The Carters dance during one of the inaugural balls in January 1977.

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Rosalynn greets children during a trip to Brazil in June 1977.

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Rosalynn, in her role as honorary chairwoman of the President's Commission on Mental Health, presented her husband with the commission's recommendations for extensive changes to mental health policy and programs in 1978. This report ultimately influenced the enactment of the Mental Health Systems Act in 1980. Rosalynn has consistently been a strong advocate for mental health throughout her lifetime.

The Carters relax on a riverboat in Dubuque, Iowa, in August 1979.

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Rosalynn travels on a plane as part of a campaign trip in October 1979. Her husband was up for reelection.

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Rosalynn is seen campaigning for her husband in Waterloo, Iowa, in January 1980. Standing behind her, from left, are Joan Mondale, the wife of Vice President Walter Mondale; Muriel Humphrey, the former US senator and wife of the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey; and Ruth Carter Stapleton, Jimmy Carter's youngest sister.

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The Carter ride a bicycle built for two in Plains, Georgia, in December 1980. Jimmy lost to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.

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Rosalynn published her book "First Lady From Plains" in 1984.

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The Carters pose for pictures at a book signing event in San Francisco in 1987. They were promoting their book "Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life."

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Rosalynn appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1998.

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In 1999, Rosalynn receives a loving kiss from her spouse upon being honored with Presidential Medals of Freedom. The Carters were bestowed these prestigious medals in recognition of their post-White House endeavors since 1980.

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The Carters wave to delegates during the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

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Rosalynn makes phone calls to voters at the campaign headquarters of her son Jack. who was running for a US Senate seat in 2006.

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The Carters pose for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2007.

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Rosalynn visits a hospital in Ashkelon, Israel, in 2008.

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The Carters kiss in October 2009 as Rosalynn introduces her husband at the ceremony for the redesigned Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.

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In 2010, the Carters joined about 300 volunteers for a Habitat for Humanity project working on houses in Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland.

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In 2011, on Capitol Hill, Rosalynn addresses senators during a hearing conducted by the Special Committee on Aging. Carter advocates for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which facilitates older Americans' access to caregiving services.

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The Carters are joined by their 4-year-old grandson Errol at Jimmy's 90th birthday celebration in Americus, Georgia, in 2014.

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From left, Rosalynn, Caroline Kennedy and Hillary Clinton follow the casket of former first lady Nancy Reagan during her funeral in 2016.

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The Carters walk home together after having dinner at a friend's home in Plains in 2018.

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The Carters are seen on the "kiss cam" during an NBA basketball game in Atlanta in 2019.

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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the home of the Carters in Plains in April 2021, capturing widespread attention on social media due to the noticeable disparity in size between the two couples. There were numerous speculations from experts, attributing the optical illusion to the usage of a wide-angle lens. Despite being approached by The New York Times, Adam Schultz, the official White House photographer, chose not to provide an explanation.

The Carters relax at their home in Plains in June 2021. In 2019, they became the longest-married presidential couple in history.

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The Carters make an appearance at the Peanut Festival Parade in Plains, Georgia in September 2023, marking the former first lady's first public appearance since being diagnosed with dementia in May.

On the day the commission was announced, Rosalynn Carter informed the press that she had received a note stating that the Department of Justice had prohibited the president from appointing a close relative, such as a spouse, to a civilian role. As a result, her initial plan to chair the committee was no longer possible.

During the year 1979, she made history as the second ever first lady to give a testimony in front of Congress, discussing the imperative for mental health reformation. (Eleanor Roosevelt had the distinction of being the first.)

I am much more political than Jimmy

As the first lady, her aim was to personally welcome her 9-year-old daughter Amy into the family's private quarters before 4 p.m. on school days. Additionally, they made it a priority to have dinner together at 6:30 p.m. most evenings. Amy's attendance at a public school marked the first time since Theodore Roosevelt's son that a child of a president had done so.

Rosalynn would regularly advise her husband in the White House to delay any controversial decisions until after his reelection. She openly acknowledged, "I am far more politically inclined than Jimmy and prioritize popularity and winning the reelection."

She actively pushed for her husband to dismiss Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Joe Califano. As per Jerry Rafshoon, a close friend of the Carter family and a White House aide, Rosalynn expressed her anger towards Califano due to his anti-smoking campaign, concerned that it could adversely impact the Carters' support in tobacco-producing North Carolina.

She firmly disagreed with Carter's decision to adopt the Rose Garden strategy, opting not to campaign against his Democratic primary opponent in 1980, Senator Ted Kennedy from Massachusetts. Instead, he chose to remain secluded in the White House, directing efforts towards negotiating the release of American hostages in Iran.

Additionally, her disagreement with Carter's choice to prohibit alcohol at White House social gatherings was notable. However, despite this stance, they eventually made exceptions by serving wine and spiked punch. The perception that the White House occupants, particularly Southern Baptists, were out of touch persisted as a lasting stereotype, according to her remarks.

Furthermore, she was assigned the responsibility of conveying a significant message on human rights during her diplomatic trip to Central and South America. Initially, both leaders and the media expressed skepticism regarding the involvement of a first lady in such a crucial political endeavor. Nevertheless, they gradually recognized that she possessed a direct communication channel with the president.

Jimmy Carter, the former President, is seen walking alongside his wife Rosalynn as they leave Maranatha Baptist Church after conducting a Sunday School class on December 13, 2015, in Plains, Georgia. In a recent development, doctors have revealed that an MRI scan showed no presence of cancer in Jimmy Carter's brain, which is undoubtedly a "very positive" outcome. However, despite this news, his medical treatment will continue, ensuring careful monitoring and care. The 91-year-old Carter had announced on December 6 that doctors had not found any indication of the four lesions that had been discovered on his brain earlier in the summer, nor any signs of the cancer's growth.

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Jimmy Carter embodies the road not taken by many White evangelical Christians

She achieved tangible results: Ecuador committed to signing and ratifying the American Convention on Human Rights; the military leader of Peru pledged to relinquish power (four years later, Rosalynn attended the inauguration of Peru's democratically elected president); and the president of Colombia pushed for progress in negotiations regarding the Panama Canal.

According to Rafshoon, it was Rosalynn's idea to hold the Middle East peace talks at Camp David, which ultimately became her husband's most significant accomplishment as president. She chose Camp David as the venue due to its peaceful and secluded location in the mountains of Maryland. Throughout the 13-day Camp David summit, Rosalynn diligently documented the discussions, filling nearly 200 pages. However, any achievements of the Carter presidency were overshadowed by the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. During this crisis, revolutionary students seized the US Embassy in Tehran and held over 60 Americans hostage.

Rosalynn took on the majority of the campaign responsibilities in 1980, while Jimmy Carter remained at the White House to address the crisis. She maintained regular communication throughout the campaign, speaking with her husband when possible and consulting with Zbigniew Brzezinski, the late national security adviser, on crisis management strategies. Brzezinski mentioned in an interview that he kept her well-informed, as he knew she would be discussing these matters with the president.

Losing the presidential election in 1980 was her greatest source of regret in life.

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The Carter Center

," she expressed in her memoir, "I want individuals to acknowledge that we were correct, that Jimmy Carter's actions were in the best interest of our nation, and that the public erred by not electing him."

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter had four children, 12 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. After leaving the White House in 1981, they made their way back to Plains and began the most extensive and ambitious post-presidency ever seen in American history.

Apart from Harry and Bess Truman, the Carters are the sole post-World War II president and first lady to return to their hometown. Since their return, Rosalynn has dedicated her efforts to rejuvenating the working-class community, revitalizing the local inn, and introducing a stunning butterfly garden.

They were both actively involved in the Maranatha Baptist Church, with her holding the position of deacon. However, their notable achievements revolve around their extensive humanitarian efforts at the Carter Center. Their dedication to this cause lasted for 51 weeks each year, with the remaining week focused on their work for Habitat for Humanity.

During a 2016 interview, Rosalynn took a moment to reflect on the almost four decades that had elapsed since their departure from Washington.

She expressed her longing for Jimmy to be back in the Oval Office, ensuring the well-being of the nation. The sense of security she felt during his presidency was unparalleled. Despite no longer holding the presidential power, she still possesses a significant platform to address the matters close to her heart. Thanks to his past presidency, she enjoys boundless possibilities and considers her life to be fulfilling. This story is currently developing and will be continuously updated.