Rosalynn Carter dies: ‘No update’ on Jimmy Carter’s health as former first lady’s funeral takes place

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

But everything 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 established this Office of the First Lady in the iconic East Wing space that we now call the base of operations for our modern first ladies,” Mr. McLaurin to CNN.

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

Carter died Sunday at the age of 96.

Vice President Kamala Harris paid tribute to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter following news of Carter’s death on Sunday.

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

Harris remembered Carter for his advocacy work for human rights, health and dignity.

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

At the annual turkey pardoning ceremony, President Joe Biden honored the late first lady Rosalynn Carter during his Thanksgiving speech.

“This week we will come together with the people we love and the traditions each of us has built in our own families. We will also think of the lost people we have lost, including 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.

Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit organization that uses volunteer labor to build homes for people, released a statement following the death of Rosalynn Carter.

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

“With the passing of Rosalynn Carter, 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. » said Habitat for Humanity.

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

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

A fan of butterflies since he was young, Carter spent the latter half of his life preserving butterfly habitats in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

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

The trail continued to expand with locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan.

All five living first ladies, including current first lady Jill Biden, paid tribute to Rosalynn Carter following her death on Sunday.

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

Laura Bush celebrated Carter’s loyalty and support of her husband during his time in office, as well as his legacy of destigmatizing mental health.

Michelle Obama thanked Carter for her advice and support while she was First Lady and recognized her work to advance the health of seniors as well as her work building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

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

Jill Biden remembers Carter for blazing his own trail and inspiring America on its journey.

Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, shared a touching photo of himself with his grandmother just a day after her death.

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

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

Spokesman Matthew De Galan addressed Mr. Carter’s health in the wake of former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s death Sunday at the family’s home in Plains, Georgia.

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

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

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

On August 18, 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 Sunday, lived with dementia in the final months of her life while her husband was admitted to hospice earlier this year.

Her quiet birthday was spent eating cupcakes and peanut butter ice cream, then releasing butterflies in the Carters’ backyard.

Carter had a deep love of butterflies since childhood.

His family and friends released butterflies on his birthday along with an ode to his life.