Rosalynn Carter death: Biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

LIVE – Updated at 20:38

Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former president Jimmy Carter, died at the age of 96 on Sunday.

The Carter Center announced the former first lady’s death just two days after she entered hospice care at the couple’s home in Plains, Georgia. Rosalynn is survived by her husband, four children, 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a legacy of mental health advocacy.

Jimmy Carter, 99, who is also in hospice care, paid tribute to his wife in a statement saying: “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. 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.”

The Carter Center said there was “no update” on Mr Carter’s health.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and all federal government buildings from 25 November until sunset on the day of interment.

A formal funeral will take place on Wednesday 29 November in Plains. Members of the public are invited to pay respects as Carter lies in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.

Key points

  • Rosalynn Carter dies at 96
  • Husband Jimmy, 39th president, calls late wife his ‘equal partner in everything I ever accomplished’
  • Former first lady was passionate advocate of public service and giving back
  • Tributes pour in on Capitol Hill and in Hollywood

Chris Christie is first 2024 GOP candidate to speak about Rosalynn Carter

Sunday 19 November 2023 22:37 , John Bowden

Former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie offered compassionate praise of the former first lady on Sunday, and was the only Republican 2024 candidate to have done so when his statement hit Twitter.

“Our prayers go out to the Carter family on the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. She was a role model for selfless public service & the Carter marriage was an example of a true loving partnership. Mary Pat & I pray for her, President Carter and their entire family.”

Donald Trump’s wife Melania, also a former first lady, had issued a statement but her husband’s Truth Social feed remained quiet.

Rosalynn Carter: Advocate for Jimmy Carter and many others, always leveraging her love of politics

Sunday 19 November 2023 23:00 , John Bowden

The Washington chattering class, often unsure what to make of outsiders, dubbed Rosalynn Carter the “Steel Magnolia” when she arrived as first lady.

A devout Baptist and mother of four, she was diminutive and outwardly shy, with a soft smile and softer Southern accent. That was the “magnolia.” She also was a force behind Jimmy Carter’s rise from peanut farmer to winner of the 1976 presidential election. That was the “steel.”

Yet that obvious, even trite moniker almost certainly undersold her role and impact across the Carters’ early life, their one White House term and their four decades afterward as global humanitarians advocating peace, democracy and the eradication of disease.

Through more than 77 years of marriage, until her death Sunday at the age of 96, Rosalynn Carter was business and political partner, best friend and closest confidant to the 39th president.

Read more:

Rosalynn Carter: Remembering advocate for Jimmy and many others

MLK’s grandaughter memorialises ‘dear friend’

Monday 20 November 2023 00:00 , John Bowden

One of the tributes posted on Twitter Sunday evening after the death of Rosalynn Carter was emblematic of her family’s legacy — it came from Bernice King, granddaughter of murdered civil rights icon Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

“Her commitment to peace and tireless efforts, alongside her husband, former President #JimmyCarter, to make a positive impact on our nation and world will be remembered. Our hearts are with President Carter and the Carter family during this difficult time,” Ms King wrote in a pair of posts.

The last anniversary

Monday 20 November 2023 02:00 , John Bowden

Former President Carter celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary this summer.

“As we have looked back at their legacy, it has been really wonderful to see the outpouring of support and respect and love,” grandson Jason Carter said recently. “That word love is really the one that defines certainly their personal relationship, but also the way they approach this world.”

The pair have described their marriage as a “full partnership,” alluding to their experiences raising a family, running the peanut farm, their political career before and in the White House, and their consistent commitment to humanitarian causes.

Everlasting love

Monday 20 November 2023 04:00 , Kelly Rissman

“She’s the girl I want to marry,” Jimmy Carter reportedly told his mother after his first date with the then 17-year-old Rosalynn Smith.

A year later, in 1946, they got married.

Mr Carter ran successful campaigns for the Georgia state senate, the Georgia governor, and eventually the presidency, all with his wife by his side.

After President Carter’s 1980 defeat, the pair dedicated their efforts to humanitarian causes, including launching the Carter Center and building Habitat for Humanity houses.

Together, they raised four children, and 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Earlier this year, after former President Carter entered hospice care, their grandson remarked that the couple is in the “last chapter” of their lives. “They are still here, they are still holding hands and still very much together,” he said.

Who was Rosalynn Carter?

Monday 20 November 2023 06:00 , John Bowden

Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains, Georgia on 18, August 1927. The nurse who delivered her was Lillian Carter, her future husband’s mother.

Rosalynn, the oldest child, was propelled to take on extra help around the house after her father died when she was just 13 years old. She helped take care of her siblings, sewed, and took on housekeeping chores.

Years later, she attended Georgia Southwestern College at Americus, where she met a man who would one day become president.

In 1946, the couple got married. They moved around while Jimmy Carter was in the navy, until he was forced back to his hometown of Plains to take over his family’s peanut farm. Rosalynn also started working on the farm full-time.

Once Mr Carter entered a life of public service, Rosalynn was his right hand. She helped run his many successful campaigns, as president she sat in on Cabinet meetings, and expressed an early interest in mental health advocacy.

The rest of their careers were marked by a life of public service. The pair built homes with Habitat for Humanity and founded the Carter Center, and aimed to end stigma around mental health afflictions.

A life of public service

Monday 20 November 2023 08:00 , John Bowden

Both Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter agreed later in life that she was the more political of the two, PBS reported.

She had ideas of her own, starting from when he was campaigning for a Georgia state senate seat. Ms Carter reportedly spoke to voters in line, including one mill worker who was caring for her child who was afflicted by mental illness.

“I want to know what you are going to do about mental health when you are governor,” she told her husband the following day. He vowed he would put her in charge of it. Rosalynn Carter then dedicated her lifelong efforts to improving mental health in Americans.

From 1977 to 1978, she served as the Honorary Chairperson of the President’s Commission on Mental Health. And after Mr Carter’s 1980 defeat, the couple founded the Carter Center, an institution dedicated to “human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.”

Donald Trump reacts to Rosalynn Carter’s death

Monday 20 November 2023 09:31 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has released a statement on Truth Social paying tribute to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Read his statement in full:

Melania and I join all Americans in mourning the loss of Rosalynn Carter. She was a devoted First Lady, a great humanitarian, a champion for mental health, and a beloved wife to her husband for 77 years, President Carter.

Over a life spanning nearly a century, Rosalynn Carter earned the admiration and gratitude of our entire nation. From her days as a U.S. Navy spouse, to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, to her tenure as First Lady of the United States, and her later work at the Carter Center and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, she leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary accomplishment and national service.

Our prayers are with the former president, the Carter family, and the entire community of Plains, Georgia, that she loved so much!

Last public outing

Monday 20 November 2023 10:00 , John Bowden

Former president Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter made a rare public appearance at a peanut festival in September in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

The pair were driven in the annual festival’s parade in a black SUV.

“The Carters made the day for the thousands of attendees at the Plains Peanut Festival,” Jill Stuckey of the National Park Service’s Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains told the AJC. “What a wonderful surprise for everyone.”

Read more:

Jimmy Carter attends his hometown’s peanut festival as he nears his 99th birthday

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden remember ‘dear friend’ Rosalynn Carter

Monday 20 November 2023 10:30 , Rachel Sharp

Read the statement from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in full:

First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way. Throughout her incredible life as First Lady of Georgia and the First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn did so much to address many of society’s greatest needs. She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities. Above all, the deep love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership, and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism. She lived her life by her faith. Time and time again, during the more than four decades of our friendship – through rigors of campaigns, through the darkness of deep and profound loss – we always felt the hope, warmth, and optimism of Rosalynn Carter. She will always be in our hearts. 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. May God bless our dear friend. May God bless a great American.

Trump mocked Jimmy Carter hours after Rosalynn entered hospice care

Monday 20 November 2023 11:00 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump mocked Jimmy Carter just hours after his wife Rosalynn Carter entered hospice care – and hours before she passed away.

Speaking at a rally in Iowa on Sunday, the former president took aim at the former president in a bizarre attempt to lash out at current President Joe Biden.

“The happiest person anywhere in this country right now is Jimmy Carter because his administration looked brilliant compared to these clowns,” he said of the Biden administration.

“Compared to Biden, Jimmy Carter was a brilliant, brilliant president.”

His comments came hours after it was announced that the former first lady had entered hospice care.

She died on Sunday aged 96.

Rosalynn Carter: Advocate for Jimmy Carter and many others, always leveraging her love of politics

Monday 20 November 2023 12:00 , John Bowden

The Washington chattering class, often unsure what to make of outsiders, dubbed Rosalynn Carter the “Steel Magnolia” when she arrived as first lady.

A devout Baptist and mother of four, she was diminutive and outwardly shy, with a soft smile and softer Southern accent. That was the “magnolia.” She also was a force behind Jimmy Carter’s rise from peanut farmer to winner of the 1976 presidential election. That was the “steel.”

Yet that obvious, even trite moniker almost certainly undersold her role and impact across the Carters’ early life, their one White House term and their four decades afterward as global humanitarians advocating peace, democracy and the eradication of disease.

Through more than 77 years of marriage, until her death Sunday at the age of 96, Rosalynn Carter was business and political partner, best friend and closest confidant to the 39th president.

Read more:

Rosalynn Carter: Remembering advocate for Jimmy and many others

Melania Trump pays tribute to Rosalynn Carter’s ‘servant heart’

Monday 20 November 2023 12:13 , Rachel Sharp

Melania Trump has paid tribute to fellow former first lady Rosalynn Carter, remembering her “servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country”.

Donald Trump’s wife took to X on Sunday to release a statement following Carter’s death aged 96 at the weekend.

“Rosalynn Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady but as a wife and mother,” she wrote.

“We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace.”

WATCH: Moment Biden pays tribute to former first lady Rosalynn Carter

Monday 20 November 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

MLK’s grandaughter memorialises ‘dear friend’

Monday 20 November 2023 13:00 , John Bowden

One of the tributes posted on Twitter Sunday evening after the death of Rosalynn Carter was emblematic of her family’s legacy — it came from Bernice King, granddaughter of murdered civil rights icon Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

“Her commitment to peace and tireless efforts, alongside her husband, former President #JimmyCarter, to make a positive impact on our nation and world will be remembered. Our hearts are with President Carter and the Carter family during this difficult time,” Ms King wrote in a pair of posts.

Barack and Michelle Obama pay tribute to former first lady

Monday 20 November 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Barack and Michelle Obama have paid tribute to former first lady Rosalynn Carter, following her death aged 96.

“Rosalynn Carter’s life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch. We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time,” former president Barack Obama wrote on X.

Former first lady Michelle Obama echoed his comments, writing: “You learn very quickly that there is no handbook or rules to being First Lady. Technically, it’s not even an official position. And while there are spoken and unspoken expectations that provide some structure, the role is largely shaped by the passions and aspirations of the person holding it. First Lady Rosalynn Carter understood that well. Guided by her abiding faith and her commitment to service, Mrs. Carter used her platform in profoundly meaningful ways. Her groundbreaking work to combat the stigma faced by those struggling with their mental health brought light to so many suffering in silence. She advocated for better care for the elderly. She advanced women’s rights. And she remained a champion for those causes — and many others like building affordable housing for those in need and caring for our nation’s caregivers — in the more than four decades that followed. When our family was in the White House, every so often, Rosalynn would join me for lunch, offering a few words of advice and always — always — a helping hand. She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity. Today, Barack and I join the world in celebrating the remarkable legacy of a First Lady, philanthropist, and advocate who dedicated her life to lifting up others. Her life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch. We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time.”

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were ‘still holding hands’ at the end

Monday 20 November 2023 14:00 , Ariana Baio

The grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter previously told news outlets that even at the end of their lives, the two were still together and holding hands.

“They are still here, they are still holding hands and still very much together,” Josh Carter told People magazine in August.

Carter and her husband were married for 77 years.

Toward the end of her life, Carter was diagnosed with dementia. But even then, she was able to recognise her husband.

Josh Carter told People Carter was aware of Mr Carter and her other family members at the time but that it was probably “hard” for Mr Carter to see his wife lose access to older memories.

“I think the beautiful thing is that they are still together,” Josh said.

Looking back on Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s 77th wedding anniversary

Monday 20 November 2023 14:30 , Ariana Baio

In July, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter marked their 77th wedding anniversary at their home in southern Georgia – continuing their legacy as the longest-married first couple.

The two spent a quiet night at home celebrating as both faced health troubles in the last year. The former first lady had dementia while Mr Carter has been in hospice care since February.

Though they both struggled with their health in their later years, they still enjoyed each other’s company, according to the Carter family.

“As we have looked back at their legacy, it has been really wonderful to see the outpouring of support and respect and love,” Jason Carter, the couple’s grandson, said at the time.

“That word love is really the one that defines certainly their personal relationship, but also the way they approach this world.”

Misconceptions about the Carter administration

Monday 20 November 2023 15:30 , The Associated Press

MISCONCEPTION: Ronald Reagan freed the American hostages in Iran.

MORE ACCURATE: Carter and his administration negotiated their release, but Tehran wouldn’t free them until after Reagan’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981.

MISCONCEPTION: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded Habitat for Humanity.

MORE ACCURATE: The Carters have been Habitat’s most famous endorsers and volunteers. But the organization was established by wealthy businessman Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, as an outgrowth a Georgia commune where the spent time in the 1960s.

MISCONEPTION: Jimmy Carter was an unabashed liberal.

MORE ACCURATE: Carter was a moderate politician, campaigned deliberately and, once in office, pursued policies that don’t fit easily under one label.

MISCONCEPTION: Jimmy Carter is married to “RAHZ-lyn,” and he was there when she was born.

MORE ACCURATE: It’s “ROSE-lyn,” and he met her as a newborn – but not immediately.

Who are Rosalynn Carter’s’ children?

Monday 20 November 2023 16:01 , Ariana Baio

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter had four children together throughout their 77 years of marriage.

The oldest child, John William “Jack” Carter was born on July 3, 1947.

He was raised in Plains, Georgia and worked on the family’s peanut farm before attending the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and Georgia Southwestern University. Like his father, he joined the Navy.

Their second child is James Earl “Chip” Carter III who was born on April 12, 1950. He was born in Hawaii while Mr Carter was stationed there during his Navy service. He worked in his family’s peanut warehouse before being elected to the Plains city council.

The Carter’s third child is Donel Jeffrey “Jeff” Carter, born on August 18, 1952. He attended Georgia Southwestern University and then George Washington University.

The fourth child, and only daughter, is Amy Lynn Carter who was born on October 18, 1967. She is the only Carter child to have spent her childhood in the White House.

Barack Obama pays tribute to Rosalynn Carter

Monday 20 November 2023 16:30 , Ariana Baio

Former president Barack Obama paid tribute to the late first lady, Rosalynn Carter, on X, alluding to her impact on others through her work of service.

“Rosalynn Carter’s life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch,” Mr Obama wrote.

“We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time,” he added.

Michelle Obama remembers Rosalynn Carter’s advice

Monday 20 November 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio

Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared a tribute to a fellow First Lady Rosalynn Carter, after news of her death on Sunday broke.

In a lengthy post on X, Ms Obama said Carter would join her for lunch every so often while she was in the White House to offer “words of advice and always – always – a helping hand.”

“You learn very quickly that there is no handbook or rules to being Frist Lady,” Ms Obama wrote. “And while there are spoken and unspoken expectations that provide some structure, the role is largely shaped by the passions and aspirations of the person holding it.”

“[Carter] reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and generosity,” Ms Obama wrote.

Ms Obama said Carter made “groundbreaking work” to combat the stigma of mental health, advocated for better care for older adults and advanced women’s rights.

Funeral will take place next Wednesday

Monday 20 November 2023 17:30 , Ariana Baio

The Carter Center announced that tributes to Rosalynn Carter will begin on Monday, November 27 and her funeral will take place on Wednesday, November 29.

Carter, who died at age 96 on Sunday, was the First Lady to one-term President Jimmy Carter.

Next Monday, Carter will lie in response at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects there.

On Tuesday, there will be a tribute service at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University featuring invited guests only.

Then on Wednesday, a funeral procession will begin at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains before Carter is taken to the Carter family residence for a private burial.

Members of the public are welcome to view the motorcade route from the church to downtown Plains.

Bill and Hillary Clinton issue statement on death of Rosalynn Carter

Monday 20 November 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio

Former president Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement on X about Rosalynn Carter, the former First Lady and wife of president Jimmy Carter.

“Rosalynn Carter was a compassionate and committed champion of human dignity everywhere,” the statement began.

The Clintons highlighted Carter’s work in mental health advocacy, childhood immunization and working with Habitat for Humanity as part of her “remarkable life.”

“Rosalynn will forever be remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose,” they said.

How Rosalynn Carter spent her 96th birthday

Monday 20 November 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio

On August 18th, Rosalynn Carter celebrated her 96th birthday at her home in Plains, Georgia with her husband, former president Jimmy Carter, and family, according to The Associated Press.

Carter, who died on Sunday, was navigating living with dementia in the final months of her life while her husband was entered into hospice earlier this year.

Her quiet birthday was spent eating cupcakes and peanut butter ice cream and then releasing butterflies into the Carters’ garden.

Carter had a deep love for butterflies since childhood.

Her family and friends released butterflies on her birthday as well as an ode to her life.

Secret Service say ‘farewell’ to Rosalynn Carter

Monday 20 November 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

The Secret Service, which provided protection for Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter for the 42 years following Mr Carter’s leave from the White House, issued a statement following Rosalynn’s death on Sunday.

“Your compassion, diplomacy and penchant to make society better for those less fortunate was an inspiration for an entire generation. It has been our honor to protect and serve you for all of these years. You were truly a treasure for our nation and our Secret Service family,” the Secret Service wrote in a statement on X.

Jimmy Carter remains on home hospice care following death of wife Rosalynn

Monday 20 November 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio

Jimmy Carter remains a home hospice patient and there are “no updates” on the former president’s health, according to a spokesperson for the Carter Center.

The spokesperson, Matthew De Galan, addressed Mr Carter’s health the day after former first lady Rosalynn Carter died at the family home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday.

Ms Carter’s death came just days after it was announced that the 96-year-old had also entered home hospice. She had been diagnosed with dementia in May.

Graeme Massie reports:

Jimmy Carter remains on home hospice care following death of wife Rosalynn

Jason Carter shares heartwarming photo with his grandmother

Monday 20 November 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Jason Carter, the grandson of former president Jimmy Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, shared a touching photo of him with his grandmother just one day after she died.

In a photo, posted to X, Mr Carter shared an image of him and Rosalynn standing side-by-side during his run for Georgia governor in 2014.

First Ladies pay tribute to Rosalynn Carter

Monday 20 November 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio

The five living First Ladies, including the current First Lady Jill Biden, sent tributes to Rosalynn Carter following her death on Sunday.

Hillary Clinton called Carter a “champion of human dignity everywhere” and highlighted her work in mental health advocacy and human health as part of that.

Laura Bush celebrated Carter’s loyalty and support for her husband while in office as well as her legacy in destigmatising mental health.

Michelle Obama thanked Carter for her advice and support when she was a First Lady and recognised her work to advance health for elderly people as well as her work building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

Melania Trump sent her condolences to the Carter family and remembered her legacy.

Jill Biden remembered Carter for paving her own pathway and inspiring the US in her journey.

Rosalynn Carter was dedicated to preserving Monarch butterflies

Monday 20 November 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

Throughout her lifetime, Rosalynn Carter worked to destigmatize mental health, advocate for better care for the elderly, build housing and preserve butterflies.

As a fan of butterflies from a young age, Carter spent the latter half of her lifetime working to preserve butterfly habitats in her hometown of Plains, Georgia.

In 2013, Carter sought to create a safe place for Monarch butterflies to pollinate, after seeing butterfly habitats dwindle due to natural disasters, human interference and more. She created the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail which hosts plants for Monarchs and other butterflies to use to grow.

The trail continued to grow with locations across the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.

Habitat for Humanity releases statement on Rosalynn Carter’s death

Monday 20 November 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio

Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit organisation that uses volunteer work to build homes for people, has released a statement in light of Rosalynn Carter’s death.

Carter and her husband, Jimmy Carter, were longtime volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, having helped build, renovate and repair more than 4,300 homes.

“With Rosalynn Carter’s passing, Habitat for Humanity has lost one of our most ardent and dedicated volunteers. As we join the world in mourning the death of a remarkable leader, we reflect on the life of a woman who used her platform to make a difference for those in need of affordable housing,” Habitat for Humanity said.

“She touched many lives through her steadfast support of Habitat’s mission and her commitment and crucial support of mental health initiatives. We are strengthened by her example and comforted by the memory of a life dedicated to helping others.”

rosalynn carter death: biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Former US President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter attach siding to the front of a Habitat for Humanity home being built June 10, 2003 (Getty Images)

President Biden honors Rosalynn Carter during Turkey pardoning

Monday 20 November 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio

During the annual turkey pardoning ceremony, President Joe Biden honored the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter when giving a speech about Thanksgiving.

”This week, we’ll gather with the people we love and the traditions that each of us have built up in our own families. We’ll also think about the lost ones we lost, including just yesterday when we lost former First Lady Rosalynn Carter who walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way,” Mr Biden said.

Kamala Harris remembers Rosalynn Carter

Monday 20 November 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio

Vice President Kamala Harris posted a tribute to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter after news of Carter’s death broke on Sunday.

“First Lady Rosalynn Carter lived a life of service, faith, compassion, and unmatched moral leadership,” Ms Harris wrote in a post on X.

Ms Harris remembered Carter for her advocacy work to advance human rights, health and dignity.

“As a humanitarian, a public servant, and a global leader, Mrs. Carter improved the lives of millions—and inspired countless more to dedicate their lives to service. Her legacy will be a beacon for generations to come,” Ms Harris added.

Rosalynn Carter pioneered office of the first lady

Tuesday 21 November 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio

Before Rosalynn Carter became the first lady in 1977, there was no staff specifically designated for the first lady.

But that all changed when Carter joined her husband, Jimmy Carter, in the White House, according to White House historian Stewart McLaurin

“It was, in 1977, that Rosalynn Carter created this office of the First Lady in the iconic East Wing space that we now refer to as the home of the base of operations of our modern first ladies,” Mr McLaurin told CNN on Monday.

Carter became a central part of her husband’s administration.

Carter died on Sunday at 96 years old.

Trump mocked Jimmy Carter hours after Rosalynn entered hospice care

Tuesday 21 November 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump mocked Jimmy Carter just days after his wife Rosalynn Carter entered hospice care – and hours before she passed away.

Speaking at a rally in Iowa on Sunday, the former president took aim at the former president in a bizarre attempt to lash out at current President Joe Biden.

“The happiest person anywhere in this country right now is Jimmy Carter because his administration looked brilliant compared to these clowns,” he said to insult the Biden administration.

“Compared to Biden, Jimmy Carter was a brilliant, brilliant president,” Mr Trump added.

His comments came hours after it was announced that the former first lady had entered hospice care. She died on Sunday at 96 years old after living with dementia.

Secret Service say ‘farewell’ to Rosalynn Carter aka ‘Dancer’

Tuesday 21 November 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio

The Secret Service, which provided protection for Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter for the 42 years following Mr Carter’s leave from the White House, issued a statement following Rosalynn’s death on Sunday.

“Your compassion, diplomacy and penchant to make society better for those less fortunate was an inspiration for an entire generation. It has been our honor to protect and serve you for all of these years,” the Secret Service wrote in a statement on X.

Carter and her husband were the longest protectees in Secret Service history. Both had round-the-clock protection under their codenames “Deacon” for Mr Carter and “Dancer” for Rosalynn.

“ You were truly a treasure for our nation and our Secret Service family.”

ICYMI: Read Rosalynn Carter’s obituary

Tuesday 21 November 2023 06:00 , Ariana Baio

The Carter Center announced the former first lady’s death on Sunday, two days after she entered hospice care at their home in Plains, Georgia. She leaves behind her husband, four children, 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a legacy of mental health advocacy.

Kelly Rissman reports:

Rosalynn Carter dies aged 96, days after entering hospice care

Rosalynn Carter’s’ children

Tuesday 21 November 2023 08:00 , Ariana Baio

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter had four children together throughout their 77 years of marriage.

The oldest child, John William “Jack” Carter was born on July 3, 1947.

He was raised in Plains, Georgia and worked on the family’s peanut farm before attending the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and Georgia Southwestern University. Like his father, he joined the Navy.

Their second child is James Earl “Chip” Carter III who was born on April 12, 1950. He was born in Hawaii while Mr Carter was stationed there during his Navy service. He worked in his family’s peanut warehouse before being elected to the Plains city council.

The Carter’s third child is Donel Jeffrey “Jeff” Carter, born on August 18, 1952. He attended Georgia Southwestern University and then George Washington University.

The fourth child, and only daughter, is Amy Lynn Carter who was born on October 18, 1967. She is the only Carter child to have spent her childhood in the White House.

Watch: Biden pays tribute to former first lady Rosalynn Carter: ‘She brought so much grace to office’

Tuesday 21 November 2023 10:00 , Ariana Baio

Details for Rosalynn Carter’s funeral

Tuesday 21 November 2023 12:00 , Ariana Baio

The Carter Center announced that tributes to Rosalynn Carter will begin on Monday, November 27 and her funeral will take place on Wednesday, November 29.

Carter, who died at age 96 on Sunday, was the First Lady to one-term President Jimmy Carter.

Next Monday, Carter will lie in response at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects there.

On Tuesday, there will be a tribute service at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University featuring invited guests only.

Then on Wednesday, a funeral procession will begin at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains before Carter is taken to the Carter family residence for a private burial.

Members of the public are welcome to view the motorcade route from the church to downtown Plains.

Rosalynn Carter’s grandson responds to Trump mocking Jimmy Carter

Tuesday 21 November 2023 14:00 , Ariana Baio

James Carter IV, the grandson of former president Jimmy Carter and late First Lady Rosalynn Carter responded to Donald Trump making mocking comments about his grandfather’s administration just hours before Rosalynn died.

Mr Trump used Mr Carter’s time in office to make a negative point about the Biden administration. Hours after Mr Trump did so, the Carter Center announced that Rosalynn had died at 96 years old.

The Carter’s grandson took to X and responded to the incident saying: “I hate that my grandfather’s name is in Trump’s mouth at all, but I am not offended. For a Democrat, being mocked by Trump is high praise.”

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were ‘still holding hands’ at the end

Tuesday 21 November 2023 15:38 , Ariana Baio

The grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter previously told news outlets that even at the end of their lives, the two were still together and holding hands.

“They are still here, they are still holding hands and still very much together,” Josh Carter told People magazine in August.

Carter and her husband were married for 77 years.

Toward the end of her life, Carter was diagnosed with dementia. But even then, she was able to recognise her husband.

Josh Carter told People Carter was aware of Mr Carter and her other family members at the time but that it was probably “hard” for Mr Carter to see his wife lose access to older memories.

“I think the beautiful thing is that they are still together,” Josh said.

Misconceptions about the Carter administration

Tuesday 21 November 2023 16:30 , Associated Press

Misconception: Ronald Reagan freed the American hostages in Iran.

More accurate: Carter and his administration negotiated their release, but Tehran wouldn’t free them until after Reagan’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981.

Misconception: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded Habitat for Humanity.

More accurate: The Carters have been Habitat’s most famous endorsers and volunteers. But the organization was established by wealthy businessman Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, as an outgrowth a Georgia commune where the spent time in the 1960s.

Misconception: Jimmy Carter was an unabashed liberal.

More accurate: Carter was a moderate politician, campaigned deliberately and, once in office, pursued policies that don’t fit easily under one label.

Misconception: Jimmy Carter is married to “RAHZ-lyn,” and he was there when she was born.

More accurate: It’s “ROSE-lyn,” and he met her as a newborn – but not immediately.

A life of public service

Tuesday 21 November 2023 17:30 , Megan Sheets

Both Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter agreed later in life that she was the more political of the two, PBS reported.

She had ideas of her own, starting from when he was campaigning for a Georgia state senate seat. Ms Carter reportedly spoke to voters in line, including one mill worker who was caring for her child who was afflicted by mental illness.

“I want to know what you are going to do about mental health when you are governor,” she told her husband the following day. He vowed he would put her in charge of it. Rosalynn Carter then dedicated her lifelong efforts to improving mental health in Americans.

From 1977 to 1978, she served as the Honorary Chairperson of the President’s Commission on Mental Health. And after Mr Carter’s 1980 defeat, the couple founded the Carter Center, an institution dedicated to “human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.”

Obituary for Rosalynn Carter

Tuesday 21 November 2023 18:30 , Megan Sheets

In its obituary for Rosalynn Carter, the AP writes:

“The Washington chattering class, often unsure what to make of outsiders, dubbed Rosalynn Carter the “Steel Magnolia” when she arrived as first lady.

“A devout Baptist and mother of four, she was diminutive and outwardly shy, with a soft smile and softer Southern accent. That was the “magnolia.” She also was a force behind Jimmy Carter’s rise from peanut farmer to winner of the 1976 presidential election. That was the “steel.”

“Yet that obvious, even trite moniker almost certainly undersold her role and impact across the Carters’ early life, their one White House term and their four decades afterward as global humanitarians advocating peace, democracy and the eradication of disease.

“Through more than 77 years of marriage, until her death Sunday at the age of 96, Rosalynn Carter was business and political partner, best friend and closest confidant to the 39th president.”

Rosalynn Carter: Remembering advocate for Jimmy and many others

Rosalynn and Jimmy’s last public outing

Tuesday 21 November 2023 19:30 , Megan Sheets

Former president Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter made a rare public appearance – and their last together before her death – at a peanut festival in September in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

The pair were driven in the annual festival’s parade in a black SUV.

“The Carters made the day for the thousands of attendees at the Plains Peanut Festival,” Jill Stuckey of the National Park Service’s Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains told the AJC. “What a wonderful surprise for everyone.”

Read The Independent’s report on the outing at the time:

Jimmy Carter attends his hometown’s peanut festival as he nears his 99th birthday

When is Rosalynn Carter’s funeral service?

Tuesday 21 November 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio

The Carter Center announced that tributes to Rosalynn Carter will begin on Monday, November 27 and her funeral will take place on Wednesday, November 29.

Carter, who died at age 96 on Sunday, was the First Lady to one-term President Jimmy Carter.

Next Monday, Carter will lie in response at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects there.

On Tuesday, there will be a tribute service at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University featuring invited guests only.

Then on Wednesday, a funeral procession will begin at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains before Carter is taken to the Carter family residence for a private burial.

Members of the public are welcome to view the motorcade route from the church to downtown Plains.

WATCH: Biden honours Rosalynn Carter at turkey pardoning

Tuesday 21 November 2023 22:30 , Megan Sheets

Jimmy Carter remains in hospice with ‘no updates’ on health

00:30 , Ariana Baio

Jimmy Carter remains a home hospice patient and there are “no updates” on the former president’s health, according to a spokesperson for the Carter Center.

The spokesperson, Matthew De Galan, addressed Mr Carter’s health the day after former first lady Rosalynn Carter died at the family home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday.

Ms Carter’s death came just days after it was announced that the 96-year-old had also entered home hospice. She had been diagnosed with dementia in May.

Graeme Massie reports:

Jimmy Carter remains on home hospice care following death of wife Rosalynn

Fellow first ladies pay tribute

02:30 , Ariana Baio

The five living First Ladies, including the current First Lady Jill Biden, sent tributes to Rosalynn Carter following her death on Sunday.

Hillary Clinton called Carter a “champion of human dignity everywhere” and highlighted her work in mental health advocacy and human health as part of that.

Laura Bush celebrated Carter’s loyalty and support for her husband while in office as well as her legacy in destigmatising mental health.

Michelle Obama thanked Carter for her advice and support when she was a First Lady and recognised her work to advance health for elderly people as well as her work building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

Melania Trump sent her condolences to the Carter family and remembered her legacy.

Jill Biden remembered Carter for paving her own pathway and inspiring the US in her journey.

WATCH: Rosalynn Carter’s legacy on mental health advocacy

05:30 , Megan Sheets

Why the monarch butterfly is a symbol of Rosalynn Carter’s work

08:30 , Megan Sheets

Throughout her lifetime, Rosalynn Carter worked to destigmatize mental health, advocate for better care for the elderly, build housing and preserve butterflies.

As a fan of butterflies from a young age, Carter spent the latter half of her lifetime working to preserve butterfly habitats in her hometown of Plains, Georgia.

In 2013, Carter sought to create a safe place for Monarch butterflies to pollinate, after seeing butterfly habitats dwindle due to natural disasters, human interference and more. She created the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail which hosts plants for Monarchs and other butterflies to use to grow.

The trail continued to grow with locations across the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.

In photos: Rosalynn Carter through the years

11:30 , Megan Sheets

rosalynn carter death: biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter after he won the presidency in 1976 (AP)

rosalynn carter death: biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter in 1978 (AP1978)

rosalynn carter death: biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Rosalynn and her daughter Amy in 1978 (AP1978)

rosalynn carter death: biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter in 1988 (AFP via Getty Images)

rosalynn carter death: biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter in 2017 (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Flags have half-staff for Rosalynn Carter

14:30 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden has ordered all US flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of Rosalynn Carter, who died on Sunday.

“ Throughout her life as First Lady of Georgia and First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter exemplified hope, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to doing all she could to address many of our society’s greatest needs,” President Biden wrote.

“She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for all; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities. Above all, the deep love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership, and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism,” he added.

Carter’s funeral will take place next Wednesday.

How Rosalynn Carter advocated for mental health

15:15 , Ariana Baio

Throughout her time as first lady and even after, Rosalynn Carter advocated to end the stigma around mental health disorders and spoke openly about mental health struggles.

She helped create the President’s Commission on Mental Health in 1977, which sought to create a comprehensive review of the US’s mental health system.

She toured around the country, visiting mental health facilities and by the time the commission had released its findings she pushed for legislation to reform the systems. She testified to Congress and helped with the passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980.

Even after leaving the White House, Carter hosted forums and bridged conversations between mental health professionals and consumers to create tangible solutions.

She chaired the Carter Center Mental Health Task Force, helped fund the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, and established the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers at Georgia Southwestern State University.

Rosalynn Carter’s strawberry cake recipe

16:00 , Ariana Baio

While remembering former first lady Rosalynn Carter, several US agencies have issued statements on her death including the Secret Service, the White House and now the National Archives.

In a tweet posted to X, the US National Archives shared Rosalynn Carter’s strawberry cake recipe that she used while serving as first lady during her husband, Jimmy Carter’s, administration.

“Today, we honor the remarkable legacy of Rosalynn Carter, whose warmth touched the nation. As we remember her, we share one of her favorite recipes—a classic strawberry cake—reflecting the sweetness she brought to so many,” the National Archives wrote.

The recipe calls for a package of yellow or white cake mix, a package of strawberry jello, 3/4 cup of cooking oil, one cup of chopped nuts, four eggs, two tablespoons of flour and a package of frozen strawberries mixed with half a cup of sugar.

Carter’s strawberry cake was “a Carter family favorite” according to the National Archives.

How Rosalynn Carter spent her 96th birthday

17:30 , Ariana Baio

On August 18th, Rosalynn Carter celebrated her 96th birthday at her home in Plains, Georgia with her husband, former president Jimmy Carter, and family, according to The Associated Press.

Carter, who died on Sunday, was navigating living with dementia in the final months of her life while her husband was entered into hospice earlier this year.

Her quiet birthday was spent eating cupcakes and peanut butter ice cream and then releasing butterflies into the Carters’ garden.

Carter had a deep love for butterflies since childhood.

Her family and friends released butterflies on her birthday as well as an ode to her life.

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were ‘still holding hands’ at the end

18:00 , Ariana Baio

The grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter previously told news outlets that even at the end of their lives, the two were still together and holding hands.

“They are still here, they are still holding hands and still very much together,” Josh Carter told People magazine in August.

Carter and her husband were married for 77 years.

Toward the end of her life, Carter was diagnosed with dementia. But even then, she was able to recognise her husband.

Josh Carter told People Carter was aware of Mr Carter and her other family members at the time but that it was probably “hard” for Mr Carter to see his wife lose access to older memories.

“I think the beautiful thing is that they are still together,” Josh said.

Portrait and dedication for Rosalynn Carter in White House

19:00 , Ariana Baio

The White House has set out a small memorial for Rosalynn Carter to honour the former first lady who died on Sunday at 96 years old.

On a side table positioned underneath a portrait of Carter is a candle, flowers and a framed note that reads “In loving memory of Rosalynn Carter. August 18, 1927 – November 19, 2023.”

The portrait is draped in a black fabric, the universal symbol of mourning.

First Lady Jill Biden tweeted a video of the small memorial.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Volkswagen "very worried" about the future of its operations in SA

A senior Volkswagen executive involved in a global cost-cutting strategy said on Friday, 24 November, he was “very worried” about the future of the company’s operations in South Africa, which ... Read more »

Liz Truss backs Trump with call for Republican presidential victory

Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters Liz Truss, the shortest-serving prime minister in British history, who was famously shown to have a shorter shelf life than a lettuce, has effectively backed Donald Trump ... Read more »

Standard Bank treasonous? We're literally helping to keep the lights on says CEO

Standard Bank treasonous? We're literally helping to keep the lights on says CEO Bruce Whitfield speaks to Lungisa Fuzile, Standard Bank SA CEO. Standard Bank is one of 28 banks ... Read more »

Israel, Hamas agree to extend truce for two days; Musk ‘would like to help rebuild Gaza’

Israel, Hamas agree to extend truce for two days; Musk ‘would like to help rebuild Gaza’ The UN said many people in Gaza still had no food or cooking fuel ... Read more »

This is what Pitso Mosimane said about the African Football League

Mamelodi Sundowns’ former coach, Pitso Mosimane, dismissed the African Football League Jingles shared his opinion and compared it to the CAF league and said that it was a mere tournament ... Read more »

Take note of these N3 road works between Westville and Paradise Valley

Take note of these N3 road works between Westville and Paradise Valley The N3 between the Westville viaduct and Paradise Valley interchange will be partially closed to traffic for the ... Read more »

UKZN medical student bags 2023 Health Excellence Rising Star Award

UKZN medical student bags 2023 Health Excellence Rising Star Award Durban — One of the country’s most progressive young minds in the medical field, fifth-year University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) medical ... Read more »
Top List in the World