Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady of the United States and a prominent political partner to her husband, Jimmy Carter, has passed away at the age of 96. Known for her political activism and her significant role in her husband's political journey from rural Georgia to the White House, Mrs. Carter was often referred to as a 'co-president'. Her political involvement extended to attending cabinet meetings, meeting with heads of state, and influencing policy.
Mrs. Carter was recognized for transforming the role of the first lady into a full-time job, being the first to set up an office in the East Wing and hire a full staff. She was the second longest-lived first lady, with Bess Truman living to 97. Her political activism was not limited to her tenure as the first lady; she played an integral role in the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity during her husband's post-White House years.
Often referred to as 'the Steel Magnolia' due to her willpower and soft Southern accent, Mrs. Carter was known for her advocacy for mental health, caregiving, and women's rights. She was also involved in the unsuccessful campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, praised her as his equal partner in all his accomplishments.
Mrs. Carter was diagnosed with dementia in May and entered hospice care shortly before her death. She passed away peacefully at her home in Plains, Georgia, according to The Carter Center. Jimmy Carter, 99, has opted for hospice care after declining additional medical treatment.