Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has dementia, The Carter Center says

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has dementia, her family announced Tuesday.

Carter, now 95, remains at home with former President Jimmy Carter, who has been at home receiving hospice care since early this year.

“She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones,” the family said via The Carter Center, the global humanitarian organization the couple founded in 1982 after leaving the White House.

Married nearly 77 years, the Carter are the longest-married first couple in U.S. history.

The family noted in its statement that Rosalynn Carter has spent her long public life advocating for individuals and families affected by mental illness and for those in caregiving relationships with loved ones.

“Mrs. Carter often noted that there are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers,” the statement reads. “The universality of caregiving is clear in our family, and we are experiencing the joy and the challenges of this journey.”

“We do not expect to comment further and ask for understanding for our family and for everyone across the country serving in a caregiver role,” the statement said.

The Carters have been visiting only with family and close friends since the former president’s announcement in February that he would forgo further medical intervention after a series of short hospital stays.

The family has not disclosed any specific diagnosis for either the former president or the former first lady.

The Carters have described themselves as “full partners” throughout his political career and their long public life that followed. Rosalynn Carter campaigned vigorously for her husband in his bids for Georgia governor and the presidency. She used her platform to prioritize mental health awareness, working to address the stigma attached to the condition.

That emphasis became part of The Carter Center’s expansive public health platforms.

Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains on Aug. 18, 1924. It was Jimmy Carter’s mother, a nurse, who delivered her in her family’s home. Lillian Carter brought her young son back a few days later to visit, allowing the future president and first lady to meet as preschooler and newborn.

They were married July 7, 1946.

SportsPlus

Local News

New Orleans plans to reopen Bourbon Street as FBI seeks clues about truck attack that killed 15

Local News

Dance the night away at 12th Night Celebration

Local News

New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans death toll now at 15

life

Ingredients for a prosperous new year

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls return to the road

Local News

UPDATE: Islamic State-inspired driver expressed desire to kill before deadly New Orleans rampage, Biden says

Local News

Top 10 Stories of 2024: LC chosen for LNG Center of Excellence

Local News

Kennedy on Bourbon Street attack: It’s “objective evil”

Local News

Top 10 Stories of 2024: St. Louis High to relocate

Local News

Top 10 Stories of 2024: Rousse takes the reigns

Local News

Landry issues state of emergency in response to Bourbon Street attack

Crime

UPDATE: Driver rams New Year’s revelers in New Orleans, killing 10; FBI doesn’t believe he acted alone

Local News

Top 10 Stories of 2024: VanMetre named new superintendent

Local News

Top 10 Stories of 2024: New hotel planned for lakefront

Local News

Driver rams New Year’s revelers in New Orleans, killing 10. FBI investigating as ‘act of terrorism’

Crime

Top 10 Stories of 2024: 10-month-old left in hot car

Crime

Top 10 Stories of 2024: DeRidder mayor resigns, arrested

Local News

Top 10 Stories of 2024: Toll agreed upon for new I-10 bridge

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Legislators set record in 2024

Crime

Top 10 Stories of 2024: Baby found alive crawling on I-10

Local News

Top 10 Stories of 2024: LC skyscraper is no more

Local News

La. attorney general to issue guidance on Ten Commandments law

Local News

Scooter Hobbs column: A crazy, strange LSU win that defies analysis

Jim Gazzolo

Gazzolo column: NIL summit keeps McNeese ahead of game