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Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter | Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter | Sources: Facebook/jill.stuckey | Getty Images
Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter | Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter | Sources: Facebook/jill.stuckey | Getty Images

Rosalynn Carter Was ‘Coming to the End’ but Still Held Hands with Her Husband — She Died at 2:10 p.m at Their Home

Taitirwa Sehliselwe Murape
Nov 21, 2023
07:15 A.M.
  • Two months before she died at 2:10 p.m. at home, it was reported that former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter was "coming to the end."
  • Nevertheless, she and her loving husband, former President of the United States Jimmy Carter, loved each other endlessly.
  • Though they had grown quieter in their later years, they stayed by each other's sides and held hands.
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Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter photographed together on a plane in 1976 . | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter photographed together on a plane in 1976 . | Source: Getty Images

This past Sunday, the heartbreaking news of former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter passing away made its way into the public. The passionate advocate for mental health and defender of women's rights and matters to do with caregiving died at the age of 96.

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured at an event in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on July 23, 1979 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured at an event in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on July 23, 1979 | Source: Getty Images

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According to a statement made by The Carter Center, Rosalynn passed away at home in Plains, Georgia, at 2:10 p.m. The message posted to their website also confirms that she died peacefully and was surrounded by her loving family, which includes her husband and former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, 99.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at an event hosted at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at an event hosted at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996 | Source: Getty Images

The death of the former matriarch of the U.S. comes after sources confirmed that she was facing health issues. Before the most recent health issue she endured, Rosalynn had undergone surgery to remove a nonmalignant lump in one of her breasts in 1977.

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter photographed circa 1970s. | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter photographed circa 1970s. | Source: Getty Images

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The lump had been discovered during a routine gynecological check-up, and thus, a biopsy was conducted. Luckily, the immediate surgery was successful, and Rosalynn returned to normalcy after being treated.

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured in 1978. | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured in 1978. | Source: Getty Images

Fast forward to earlier this year, The Carter Center announced that Rosalynn had developed dementia. Instead of succumbing to the harsh realities of the disease, she used her story to bring awareness to the damaging stigma attached to mental conditions.

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the Death Penalty Focus Awards in Beverly Hills, California on April 20, 2004 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the Death Penalty Focus Awards in Beverly Hills, California on April 20, 2004 | Source: Getty Images

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She urged for mental health access to be improved across public spaces and also highlighted the importance of the caregiver role when loved ones are going through health challenges. Despite battling her health ailment, she and her husband's organization confirmed:

"She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones..."

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at a Cincinnati Bengals v Atlanta Falcons game in Atlanta, Georgia on September 30, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at a Cincinnati Bengals v Atlanta Falcons game in Atlanta, Georgia on September 30, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

One of her enjoyable moments included a rare public appearance with her beau in September when the couple was driven through their hometown's annual Peanut Festival. The outing came seven months after Jimmy entered home hospice care.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the Peanut Festival Parade in Plains, Georgia on September 23, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the Peanut Festival Parade in Plains, Georgia on September 23, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

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After their appearance at the festival, another statement from the duo's team gave an update on Rosalynn's health status. Last month, The Carter Center announced that Rosalynn had entered home hospice care.

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at a press conference in Washington, DC. on December 5, 2001 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at a press conference in Washington, DC. on December 5, 2001 | Source: Getty Images

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In addition to asking for privacy and expressing thanks for the public's love and support, the statement also stipulated that Rosalynn and Jimmy made the most of their time by spending time with each other and their family.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at photographed together in Washington, DC. on April 25, 1977 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at photographed together in Washington, DC. on April 25, 1977 | Source: Getty Images

Though Rosalynn Was Nearing Her End, She and Her Husband Remained in Love and Held Hands Frequently

Although both Rosalynn and Jimmy had been in home hospice care due to their health ailments, the couple were still happy together. As reported by the duo's grandson, Jason Carter:

" They're in love, and I don't think anyone gets more than that. I mean, it's a perfect situation for this time in their lives."

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Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured after attending a friend's dinner in Plains, Georgia on August 4, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured after attending a friend's dinner in Plains, Georgia on August 4, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

However, Jason also confirmed that his grandparents were "coming to the end." Nonetheless, their endurance-fueled spirits kept them going and allowed them to do their best to make the most of their life together. Of their time spent with each other and their ability to push past their health woes before Rosalynn sadly passed, their doting grandson, Jason, disclosed:

"They are still here, they are still holding hands and still very much together...It's clear we're in the final chapter."

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured walking home from a friend's house in Plains, Georgia on August 4, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter pictured walking home from a friend's house in Plains, Georgia on August 4, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

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Although, as stated by Jason himself, life had been different, citing the couple's quiet and calm home as opposed to their usual lively, entertaining energy, Rosalynn and Jimmy were still aware and present for what was happening around them. Of his grandmother's mental health, he said that she still remembered her loved ones for the most part and knew they were her family.

He even revealed that before she died, Rosalynn was still able to form new memories and spoke about how getting a good night's sleep would be extremely beneficial in improving her symptoms.

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado on August 25, 2008 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado on August 25, 2008 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter with their family pictured in a family portrait around 1977-1980 | Source: Getty Images

Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter with their family pictured in a family portrait around 1977-1980 | Source: Getty Images

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As many continue to mourn the devastating news of the former First Lady of the United States' death, those stricken by grief can take comfort in the fact that her last moments alive were spent with her loving family.

Though her life was intertwined with her dementia toward the end, Rosalynn lived her life to the fullest, and her incredible legacy lives on with her husband and their family.

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