Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter celebrates her 96th birthday alongside husband Jimmy Carter. Despite health challenges, Carters' legacy shines through serene celebrations and a poignant film event spotlighting caregiving challenges, underscoring their enduring impact on American society.
Rosalynn Carter, accompanied by her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, and their family, will observe her 96th birthday in the comfort of their home on Friday. The nearby community of Plains, Georgia, will pay tribute to the former first lady's extensive dedication to public health advocacy.
Rosalynn Carter deals with dementia and her husband, the former president who is now 98 years old, continues to receive hospice care. Nevertheless, they persist in residing together within the very same small town that witnessed their birth, marriage, and served as the hub for Jimmy Carter's triumphant 1976 presidential campaign.
As per The Carter Center, the human rights organization established by the couple in Atlanta following his unsuccessful 1980 reelection attempt, Rosalynn's upcoming birthday will be marked by a serene celebration. She intends to enjoy cupcakes and peanut butter ice cream, a subtle tribute to their background as Georgia peanut farmers that became intertwined with their political identity.
The screening of a new film titled "Unconditional," spotlighting the difficulties encountered by people caring for their sick, elderly, and disabled loved ones, is being sponsored by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. The event will take place at Plains High School at 6:30 p.m. and is accessible to all members of the public.
Additionally, she has plans to set free butterflies in the Carters' garden. Her fondness for butterflies can be traced back to her childhood. In Plains, various butterfly releases are also being organized by extended family members and friends. These events will take place at different locations, including the quaint public garden adjacent to the residence where Eleanor Rosalynn Smith came into the world on August 18, 1927.
After her husband served as the governor of Georgia in the early 1970s, Rosalynn Carter has consistently advocated for a more inclusive American healthcare system that regards mental health as an essential component of overall well-being. She also emphasizes the significance of caregivers for the nation's social and economic prosperity.
Rosalynn Carter holds the distinction of being the second-oldest presidential spouse in American history. Bess Truman, who lived to the age of 97, passed away in 1982, just a year after the Carters concluded their time in the White House. Jimmy Carter stands as the president with the longest lifespan. The Carters, who celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary in July, hold the record for being the longest-married first couple in the nation's history.