Tributes have been paid to First Lady Rosalynn Carter around the world following her death at the age of 96 on Sunday afternoon, including at her former home – the White House.
Shortly after her death, the White House X account posted a photo revealing that Carter’s official White House portrait had been temporarily moved to a prominent spot on the building’s ground floor and decorated with fresh flowers, a notebook and dark drapery lining the frame.
A photo of Carter’s tribute was captioned: “The thoughts and prayers of the Biden-Harris administration are with President Carter and the entire Carter family.”
A look back at our all-time favorite First Lady portraits that grace the White House
Tribute to the official portrait of Rosalynn Carter.
White House
The official White House portrait of Mrs. Carter was painted by George August and was unveiled in 1984, three years after her husband left office.
Before it moved next to Michelle Obama’s portrait this week, Carter’s picture was affixed to the walls of the East Wing of the White House, where she once made history as the first first lady to open her own office. (Each president’s wife since Carter has had an office in the East Wing, which is currently occupied by Dr. Jill Biden, her staff, and the White House social secretary.)
How Rosalynn Carter’s focus on carers fits into the larger theme of her ‘enduring’ mental health activism
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The Bidens visit the Carters at their longtime home in Plains, Georgia in 2021. Adam Schultz/AP/Shutterstock
On Sunday evening, President Joe Biden and Dr. Biden released a joint statement honoring Mrs. Carter’s legacy, writing in part: “First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked her own path, inspiring the nation and the world along the way.
“Throughout her incredible life as First Lady of Georgia and First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn has done so much to address many of society’s greatest needs,” the Bidens continued. “She was an advocate for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and well-being for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen and undercompensated caregivers of our children, elderly loved ones, and people with disabilities.”
The lengthy statement ends with the statement: “On behalf of a grateful nation, we send our love to President Carter, the entire Carter family, and the countless people across our nation and the world whose lives are better, fuller, and brighter because of the life and legacy of Rosalynn Carter.”
Carter leaves behind her husband of 77 years, President Jimmy Carter, who went to the hospital in February and recently turned 99, setting a new record as the longest-living former president.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education