Following the death of his beloved wife Rosalynn Carter, former President Jimmy Carter reflected on their decade of partnership.
Rosalynn, the former first lady of the United States, died at the age of 96 on Sunday afternoon at her longtime home in Plains, Georgia. According to a statement from The Carter Center, she died “peacefully, with her family by her side.”
In an accompanying statement, former President Carter, 99, said, “Rosalynn has been my equal partner in everything I’ve ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew someone who loved and supported me.”
All about the children and grandchildren of Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter
The former first lady was diagnosed with dementia in May and was admitted to the hospital on Friday. Jimmy discontinued medical intervention in February due to his own health issues and remains in hospice care at home.
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter hold hands during the 2018 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity.
Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune via AP
Married in 1946, Rosalynn and Jimmy later had sons John William “Jack”, James Earl “Chip”, Donnel Jeffrey “Jeff” and a daughter Amy Carter. They had 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rosalynn Carter’s life in photos
As her husband’s political career took off, Rosalynn served as his staunch advocate and advisor, later taking on mental health promotion efforts.
During Jimmy’s tenure as president from 1977 to 1981, she served as honorary chair of the President’s Commission on Mental Health, eventually helping to pass the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. She was also a champion of art and art programs.
Forever sweethearts, the former first lady and former president coined a cute phrase they shared: “ILYTG.”
“‘I love you the best.’ That’s what my mom and dad said back and forth, and I picked it up with Rosa,” the nation’s 39th president told PEOPLE back in 2014. “Now all our kids do the same thing — ILYTG on the phone or in emails. They usually put just the initials.”
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