Rosalynn Carter death: ‘No updates’ on Jimmy Carter health as former first lady’s funeral set newsbhunt

Vice President Kamala Harris posted a tribute to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter after news of Carter’s death broke on Sunday.

“First Lady Rosalynn Carter lived a life of service, faith, compassion, and unmatched moral leadership,” Ms Harris wrote in a post on X.

Ms Harris remembered Carter for her advocacy work to advance human rights, health and dignity.

“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,” Ms Harris added.

During the annual turkey pardoning ceremony, President Joe Biden honored the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter when giving a speech about Thanksgiving.

”This week, we’ll gather with the people we love and the traditions that each of us have built up in our own families. We’ll also think about the lost ones we lost, including just yesterday when we lost former First Lady Rosalynn Carter who walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way,” Mr Biden said.

Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit organisation that uses volunteer work to build homes for people, has released a statement in light of Rosalynn Carter’s death.

Carter and her husband, Jimmy Carter, were longtime volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, having helped build, renovate and repair more than 4,300 homes.

“With Rosalynn Carter’s passing, Habitat for Humanity has lost one of our most ardent and dedicated volunteers. As we join the world in mourning the death of a remarkable leader, we reflect on the life of a woman who used her platform to make a difference for those in need of affordable housing,” Habitat for Humanity said. 

“She touched many lives through her steadfast support of Habitat’s mission and her commitment and crucial support of mental health initiatives. We are strengthened by her example and comforted by the memory of a life dedicated to helping others.”

Throughout her lifetime, Rosalynn Carter worked to destigmatize mental health, advocate for better care for the elderly, build housing and preserve butterflies.

As a fan of butterflies from a young age, Carter spent the latter half of her lifetime working to preserve butterfly habitats in her hometown of Plains, Georgia.

In 2013, Carter sought to create a safe place for Monarch butterflies to pollinate, after seeing butterfly habitats dwindle due to natural disasters, human interference and more. She created the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail which hosts plants for Monarchs and other butterflies to use to grow.

The trail continued to grow with locations across the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.

The five living First Ladies, including the current First Lady Jill Biden, sent tributes to Rosalynn Carter following her death on Sunday.

Hillary Clinton called Carter a “champion of human dignity everywhere” and highlighted her work in mental health advocacy and human health as part of that.

Laura Bush celebrated Carter’s loyalty and support for her husband while in office as well as her legacy in destigmatising mental health.

Michelle Obama thanked Carter for her advice and support when she was a First Lady and recognised her work to advance health for elderly people as well as her work building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

Melania Trump sent her condolences to the Carter family and remembered her legacy.

Jill Biden remembered Carter for paving her own pathway and inspiring the US in her journey.

Jason Carter, the grandson of former president Jimmy Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, shared a touching photo of him with his grandmother just one day after she died.

In a photo, posted to X, Mr Carter shared an image of him and Rosalynn standing side-by-side during his run for Georgia governor in 2014.

Jimmy Carter remains a home hospice patient and there are “no updates” on the former president’s health, according to a spokesperson for the Carter Center.

The spokesperson, Matthew De Galan, addressed Mr Carter’s health the day after former first lady Rosalynn Carter died at the family home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday.

Ms Carter’s death came just days after it was announced that the 96-year-old had also entered home hospice. She had been diagnosed with dementia in May.

The Secret Service, which provided protection for Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter for the 42 years following Mr Carter’s leave from the White House, issued a statement following Rosalynn’s death on Sunday.

“Your compassion, diplomacy and penchant to make society better for those less fortunate was an inspiration for an entire generation. It has been our honor to protect and serve you for all of these years. You were truly a treasure for our nation and our Secret Service family,” the Secret Service wrote in a statement on X. 

On August 18th, Rosalynn Carter celebrated her 96th birthday at her home in Plains, Georgia with her husband, former president Jimmy Carter, and family, according to The Associated Press.

Carter, who died on Sunday, was navigating living with dementia in the final months of her life while her husband was entered into hospice earlier this year.

Her quiet birthday was spent eating cupcakes and peanut butter ice cream and then releasing butterflies into the Carters’ garden.

Carter had a deep love for butterflies since childhood.

Her family and friends released butterflies on her birthday as well as an ode to her life.

Former president Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement on X about Rosalynn Carter, the former First Lady and wife of president Jimmy Carter.

“Rosalynn Carter was a compassionate and committed champion of human dignity everywhere,” the statement began.

The Clintons highlighted Carter’s work in mental health advocacy, childhood immunization and working with Habitat for Humanity as part of her “remarkable life.”

“Rosalynn will forever be remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose,” they said.