Remembering Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s Life in Pictures

Karen Ruud November 19, 2023

US First Lady Rosalynn Carter climbs the steps to her plane during a trip, Texas, September 1978. — Diana Walker/Getty Images

First Lady Rosalynn Carter, beloved wife of President Jimmy Carter for 77 years, has passed away peacefully at home at the age of 96. She was diagnosed with dementia back in May and was just placed into hospice care. She will be remembered for being a fierce advocate in mental health, and the work she and her husband did in their post-political office career at The Carter Center charity they started to help fight for world peace and human rights.

Let’s take a look back at some of her amazing life.

(Original Caption) Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn with three children, Chip, Jack and Jeff. Undated photo, ca. 1950s.

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Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn with their three sons, Chip, Jack and Jeff circa 1950s

circa 1970: Rosalynn Smith Carter, wife of American president Jimmy Carter. She grew up alongside the future president in Plains, Georgia and assisted him in running his family peanut farm.

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Home circa 1970

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Campaigns on telephone in Philadelphia in May, 1976.

Rosalynn Carter, wife of presidential candidate Jimmy Carter, appears on the 'Meet the Press' television talk show, September 26th 1976. She is wearing a 'Carter/Mondale' campaign badge.

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Appearing on the ‘Meet the Press’ television talk show, September 26th 1976. She is wearing a ‘Carter/Mondale’ campaign badge.

Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter embraces his wife Rosalynn after receiving the final news of his victory in the national general election, November 2, 1976.

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Receiving the final news of Jimmy’s victory in the national general election, November 2, 1976.

American president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn and daughter Amy meet Polish Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy, July 15, 1976.

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Meeting Polish Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy, July 15, 1976, along with daughter Amy.

(Original Caption) 11/18/1977-Houston, TX- In Houston to attend the National Women's Conference, a group of some of the most well-known women in America appears on stage at a gala fund-raiser to support the campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment. They are (L-R): Betty Friedan, Liz Carpenter, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former first lady Betty Ford, Elly Peterson, Jill Ruckelshaus and Bella Abzug.

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In Houston to attend the National Women’s Conference, a group of some of the most well-known women in America appears on stage at a gala fund-raiser to support the campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment. They are (L-R): Betty Friedan, Liz Carpenter, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former first lady Betty Ford, Elly Peterson, Jill Ruckelshaus and Bella Abzug.

US First Lady Rosalynn Carter plays basketball with members of the Harlem Globetrotters outside the White House, Washington DC, March 1980. They are teaching her how to spin a basketball on her fingertip.

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Playing basketball with members of the Harlem Globetrotters outside the White House, Washington DC, March 1980. They are teaching her how to spin a basketball on her fingertip.

LAGRANGE, GA - JUNE 10: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn attach siding to the front of a Habitat for Humanity home being built June 10, 2003 in LaGrange, Georgia. More than 90 homes are being built in LaGrange; Valdosta, Georgia; and Anniston, Alabama by volunteers as part of Habitat for Humanity International's Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003.

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The couple attached siding to the front of a Habitat for Humanity home being built June 10, 2003 in LaGrange, Georgia. More than 90 homes are being built in LaGrange; Valdosta, Georgia; and Anniston, Alabama by volunteers as part of Habitat for Humanity International’s Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003.

She is survived by her husband Jimmy who is also in hospice care since February 2023 and many family and friends.