Rosalynn Carter Dead at 96

The former first lady of the United States died at home surrounded by family.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1993. (Image courtesy of The Carter Center)

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, champion mental health advocate and wife to Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died Sunday at her home in Plains, Georgia, two days after it was announced that she entered hospice care.

She was 96 and died peacefully surrounded by family at 2:10 p.m. EST, according to a statement released by The Carter Center, the nonprofit founded by the Carters in 1982 in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. 

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President Carter said in a statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

Family members revealed Rosalynn Carter was diagnosed with dementia in May.

She was married for 77 years to her husband, the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient…