Here is a look at the life of Rosalynn Carter, wife of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter:File video above: In 2021, the Carters celebrated 75 years of marriagePersonalBirth date: Aug. 18, 1927Birthplace: Plains, GeorgiaBirth name: Eleanor Rosalynn SmithFather: Wilburn Smith, a mechanicMother: Allethea (Murray) SmithMarriage: Jimmy Carter (July 7, 1946-present)Children: Amy, Oct. 19, 1967; Jeff, Aug. 18, 1952; James Earl III (Chip), April 12, 1950; Jack, July 3, 1947Education: Georgia Southwestern College, 1946Other factsRosalynn Carter founded the “Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving” at Georgia Southwestern State University. The mission of this organization is to help professional and family caregivers with the important role they play in our long-term health care system.Along with the Carter Work Project, Rosalynn Carter is known for her work with Habitat for Humanity, an international group of volunteers who build affordable homes for those in need.Rosalynn Carter is also known as an advocate for mental health, early childhood immunization, human rights, and conflict resolution.Video below: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter spent decades building houses for Habitat for HumanityTimeline1953 — The Carters return to Plains, Georgia, and run the family peanut, seed and fertilizer business.1962 — Jimmy Carter enters politics and wins a seat in the Georgia Senate.1977-1981 — As first lady, she focuses national attention on performing arts and mental health.1977-1978 — Serves as the Honorary Chairperson of the President’s Commission on Mental Health, and is instrumental in the passage of the 1980 Mental Health Systems Act.1982 — Founds the Carter Center with her husband.1984 — Her book, “First Lady from Plains,” is published.1985 — Initiates the annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy.1987 — “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life,” with Jimmy Carter, is published.1991 — Co-launches Every Child By Two, a nationwide campaign to promote childhood immunizations, with Betty Bumpers, the wife of Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas.1991-1999 — Serves on the policy advisory board of The Atlanta Project, a program of the Carter Center that addresses the social ills associated with poverty and quality of life around Atlanta.1994 — “Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers” is published.1999 — Is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.1999 — The book, “Helping Someone with Mental Illness: A Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers,” with Susan K. Golant, is published.2001 — Carter is inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.March 22, 2005 — Carter and her husband step down as the leaders of the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees.Video below: Before and after the White House, Jimmy Carter's home remained in Plains2010 — The book, “Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis,” with Susan K. Golant and Kathryn E. Cade, is published.Aug. 22, 2012 — Speaks at the ribbon cutting for phase one of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University.Oct. 13, 2014 — Announces the next Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter Habitat Work Project will be building homes in Nepal. The Carters’ goal, with thousands of volunteers, is to help build shelter for 100,000 Nepali families by 2016.Feb. 18, 2018 — Undergoes surgery to remove scar tissue from a portion of her small intestine. The scar tissue formed after a cyst was removed many years ago.May 16, 2019 — Carter is released from the hospital after being admitted for feeling “faint.” Her husband is released from the hospital the same day after being admitted for falling on his way to go turkey hunting.Oct. 17, 2019 — Having been married 26,765 days, Carter and her husband are now the longest-married presidential couple in history (George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush previously held the record).Dec. 10, 2020 — The U.S. House of Representatives passes a resolution recognizing Carter’s 50 years of mental health advocacy.Feb. 18, 2023 — In a statement, the Carter Center says that Jimmy Carter will begin receiving home hospice care after a series of short hospital stays.May 30, 2023 — The Carter Center announces that Rosalynn Carter has dementia.Nov. 17, 2023 — The Carter Center announces that Rosalynn Carter is entering hospice care at her home, alongside her husband.
Here is a look at the life of Rosalynn Carter, wife of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter:
File video above: In 2021, the Carters celebrated 75 years of marriage
Personal
Birth date: Aug. 18, 1927
Birthplace: Plains, Georgia
Birth name: Eleanor Rosalynn Smith
Father: Wilburn Smith, a mechanic
Mother: Allethea (Murray) Smith
Marriage: Jimmy Carter (July 7, 1946-present)
Children: Amy, Oct. 19, 1967; Jeff, Aug. 18, 1952; James Earl III (Chip), April 12, 1950; Jack, July 3, 1947
Education: Georgia Southwestern College, 1946
Other facts
Rosalynn Carter founded the “Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving” at Georgia Southwestern State University. The mission of this organization is to help professional and family caregivers with the important role they play in our long-term health care system.
, an international group of volunteers who build affordable homes for those in need.
Rosalynn Carter is also known as an advocate for mental health, early childhood immunization, human rights, and conflict resolution.
Video below: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter spent decades building houses for Habitat for Humanity
Timeline
1953 — The Carters return to Plains, Georgia, and run the family peanut, seed and fertilizer business.
1962 — Jimmy Carter enters politics and wins a seat in the Georgia Senate.
1977-1981 — As she focuses national attention on performing arts and mental health.
1977-1978 — Serves as the Honorary Chairperson of the President’s Commission on Mental Health, and is instrumental in the passage of the 1980 Mental Health Systems Act.
1982 — Founds the with her husband.
1984 — Her book, “First Lady from Plains,” is published.
1985 — Initiates the annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy.
1987 — “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life,” with Jimmy Carter, is published.
1991 — Co-launches Every Child By Two, a nationwide campaign to promote childhood immunizations, with Betty Bumpers, the wife of Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas.
1991-1999 — Serves on the policy advisory board of The Atlanta Project, a program of the Carter Center that addresses the social ills associated with poverty and quality of life around Atlanta.
1994 — “Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers” is published.
1999 — Is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1999 — The book, “Helping Someone with Mental Illness: A Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers,” with Susan K. Golant, is published.
2001 — Carter is inducted into the .
March 22, 2005 — Carter and her husband step down as the leaders of the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees.
Video below: Before and after the White House, Jimmy Carter's home remained in Plains
2010 — The book, “Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis,” with Susan K. Golant and Kathryn E. Cade, is published.
Aug. 22, 2012 — Speaks at the ribbon cutting for phase one of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University.
Oct. 13, 2014 — Announces the next Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter Habitat Work Project will be building homes in Nepal. The Carters’ goal, with thousands of volunteers, is to help build shelter for 100,000 Nepali families by 2016.
Feb. 18, 2018 — Undergoes surgery to remove scar tissue from a portion of her small intestine. The scar tissue formed after a cyst was removed many years ago.
May 16, 2019 — Carter is released from the hospital after being admitted for feeling “faint.” Her husband is released from the hospital the same day after being admitted for falling on his way to go turkey hunting.
Oct. 17, 2019 — Having been , Carter and her husband are now the longest-married presidential couple in history (George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush previously held the record).
Dec. 10, 2020 — The U.S. House of Representatives recognizing .
Feb. 18, 2023 — In a statement, the Carter Center says that Jimmy Carter will begin receiving home hospice care after a series of short hospital stays.
May 30, 2023 — The Carter Center announces that Rosalynn Carter has dementia.
Nov. 17, 2023 — The Carter Center announces that Rosalynn Carter is entering hospice care at her home, alongside her husband.