Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter dead at 96
The former First Lady of the USA, Rosalynn Carter, is dead. The 96-year-old wife of former President Jimmy Carter died "peacefully surrounded by family" on Sunday afternoon (local time) in her hometown of Plains in the US state of Georgia, according to a foundation set up by the Carters. "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished," the foundation quoted 99-year-old Jimmy Carter as saying. "As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew that someone loved and supported me."
In May, it became public that Rosalynn Carter was suffering from dementia. The foundation finally announced last Friday that the 96-year-old was receiving palliative care at home. Jimmy Carter has also been receiving palliative care at home with his family since mid-February.
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married in 1946 - the couple have four children. The former First Lady campaigned for social causes and wrote several books. She is said to have had a considerable influence on politics in the White House during her husband's presidency. The Democratic politician from the state of Georgia in the south of the USA was US President from 1977 to 1981, until he was replaced by the Republican Ronald Reagan. He is the oldest living former US president.
In winter, the couple's foundation made it public that the ex-president did not want to take any further medical steps after a series of hospital stays. In September, he then surprised everyone with a public appearance at a peanut parade in his home town of Plains. Carter and his wife Rosalynn appeared in a dark limousine.
Source: www.dpa.com
