Reactions to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s death are coming in as fellow political figures hear the news.Mrs. Carter meant a lot to so many — especially her husband of 77 years, former President Jimmy Carter, calling the first lady an “equal partner” in everything he ever accomplished.Current First Lady Dr. Jill Biden shared the news of Mrs. Carter’s passing at an event in Norfolk Sunday afternoon.”She was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women’s rights,” Biden said. “So I hope that during the holidays, you will consider saying include the Carter family in your prayers.”That was the first of so many tributes we’ve seen. In a statement, Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, said “She was a woman of dignity and strength. There was no greater advocate of President Carter…”In a post on X, formerly known at Twitter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “America has lost a passionate humanitarian and champion for people all over the world.”But, the most touching tribute came from her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, in a statement honoring their lifelong love affair.”As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me,” former President Carter said in the statement.The family they created together was by her side when Rosalynn Carter died peacefully at her home in Plains, Georgia.Video below: President Joe Biden says he spoke with a Carter family spokesperson and briefly talks about the late former first lady’s legacy and the legacy of the Carter Administration.Rosalynn Carter is survived by her four children and more than two dozen grandchildren.Other political leaders have also offered tributes and condolences to the Carter family following Rosalynn Carter’s passing.Vice President Kamala Harris said Rosalynn Carter redefined the role of first lady and lived a life of service, faith, compassion, and moral leadership. “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,” Harris said in a statement.Former First Lady Melania Trump said Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy. “We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace,” Melania Trump said on X, formerly Twitter.Bill and Hillary Clinton called Carter a champion of human dignity. “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,” the former president and former secretary of state said in a joint statement. “Rosalynn will be forever remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose.”Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Carter was a “saintly and revered public servant” driven by faith, compassion and kindness. “On the world stage, First Lady Carter was a pioneer. Her historic, high-stakes diplomatic mission to Latin America in 1977 ushered in a new era of engagement in the region. Two years later, she became the first sitting First Lady to address the World Health Organization, where she argued that mental health was an aspect of physical health – and that health is a human right,” Pelosi said in a statement offering condolences to the Carter family.Video below: ‘Ahead of her time:’ Reflecting on Rosalynn Carter’s mental health legacyFormer first lady Michelle Obama said Rosalynn Carter sometimes offered advice during their periodic lunches at the White House. “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,” Obama said in a statement. “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.”Habitat For Humanity, the Georgia-based charity that the Carters worked for tirelessly, said its members were saddened by the former first lady’s passing. “She was a compassionate and committed champion of #HabitatforHumanity and worked fiercely to help families around the world,” the nonprofit said on X.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reactions to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s death are coming in as fellow political figures hear the news.
Mrs. Carter meant a lot to so many — especially her husband of 77 years, former President Jimmy Carter, calling the first lady an “equal partner” in everything he ever accomplished.
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Current First Lady Dr. Jill Biden shared the news of Mrs. Carter’s passing at an event in Norfolk Sunday afternoon.
“She was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women’s rights,” Biden said. “So I hope that during the holidays, you will consider saying include the Carter family in your prayers.”
That was the first of so many tributes we’ve seen.
In a statement, Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, said “She was a woman of dignity and strength. There was no greater advocate of President Carter…”
In a post on X, formerly known at Twitter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “America has lost a passionate humanitarian and champion for people all over the world.”
But, the most touching tribute came from her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, in a statement honoring their lifelong love affair.
“As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me,” former President Carter said in the statement.
The family they created together was by her side when Rosalynn Carter died peacefully at her home in Plains, Georgia.
Video below: President Joe Biden says he spoke with a Carter family spokesperson and briefly talks about the late former first lady’s legacy and the legacy of the Carter Administration.
Rosalynn Carter is survived by her four children and more than two dozen grandchildren.
Other political leaders have also offered tributes and condolences to the Carter family following Rosalynn Carter’s passing.
Vice President Kamala Harris said Rosalynn Carter redefined the role of first lady and lived a life of service, faith, compassion, and moral leadership.
“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,” Harris said in a statement.
Former First Lady Melania Trump said Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy. “We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace,” Melania Trump said on X, formerly Twitter.
Bill and Hillary Clinton called Carter a champion of human dignity.
“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,” the former president and former secretary of state said in a joint statement. “Rosalynn will be forever remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Carter was a “saintly and revered public servant” driven by faith, compassion and kindness.
“On the world stage, First Lady Carter was a pioneer. Her historic, high-stakes diplomatic mission to Latin America in 1977 ushered in a new era of engagement in the region. Two years later, she became the first sitting First Lady to address the World Health Organization, where she argued that mental health was an aspect of physical health – and that health is a human right,” Pelosi said in a statement offering condolences to the Carter family.
Video below: ‘Ahead of her time:’ Reflecting on Rosalynn Carter’s mental health legacy
Former first lady Michelle Obama said Rosalynn Carter sometimes offered advice during their periodic lunches at the White House.
“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,” Obama said in a statement. “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.”
Habitat For Humanity, the Georgia-based charity that the Carters worked for tirelessly, said its members were saddened by the former first lady’s passing.
“She was a compassionate and committed champion of #HabitatforHumanity and worked fiercely to help families around the world,” the nonprofit said on X.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
