Five Former First Ladies Are Paying Tribute to Rosalynn Carter
Rosalynn Carter died this weekend at the age of 96.
At the time of her death, she was the oldest living former First Lady, and is survived by her husband, Jimmy Carter, and their four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
"Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right," her son, Chip Carter, said. "Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today."
As tributes pour in for Rosalynn Carter, here are what the current and former First Ladies had to say about her impact and influence:
Jill Biden
Dr. Biden shared a short message on social media:
First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way. My love is with the entire Carter family, as they, and we, grieve our dearest Rosalynn.
The White House also shared a joint statement from First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden:
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.
Michelle Obama
Shared on social media:
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.
Melania Trump
Shared on social media
Rosalynn Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady but as a wife and mother. We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace.
Laura Bush
In a joint statement with former President George W. Bush:
We are saddened by the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. She was a woman of dignity and strength. There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity. She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental health. We join our fellow citizens in sending our condolences to President Carter and their family.
Hillary Clinton
In a joint statement with former President Bill Clinton:
Rosalynn Carter was a compassionate and committed champion of human dignity everywhere.
Throughout her long, remarkable life, she was an unwavering voice for the overlooked and underrepresented. Thanks to her mental health advocacy, more people live with better care and less stigma. Because of her early leadership on childhood immunization, millions of Americans have grown up healthier. And through her decades of work at the Carter Center and with Habitat for Humanity, she spread hope, health, and democracy across the globe.
Rosalynn will be forever remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose. Hillary and I are deeply grateful for her extraordinary service to our nation and world, and for more than forty years of friendship. Our prayers are with President Carter, Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and the entire Carter family.
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