Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter's Relationship Timeline: Inside Their 77-Year Marriage

Mar. 15, 2025

President Jimmy Carterand his wife,Rosalynn Carter, had the longest marriage in the history of U.S. presidents.

The couple, who met when Jimmy was 3 years old and Rosalynn was a newborn, wed on July 7, 1946, and were married for 77 years. Throughout their nearly eight decades together, the Carterswelcomed four children, who gave Jimmy and Rosalynn 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The pair shared a slew of ups, downs and adventures — including several Navy deployments, a presidential campaign and subsequent time in office, co-authoring books, managing his family farm and building houses around the globe with Habitat for Humanity.

President Carter told his mother he wanted to exchange wedding vows with Rosalynnafter their first date. “Thebest thing I ever didwas marrying Rosalynn,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner said in a 2015 interview. “That’s the pinnacle of my life.”

The former presidentdied on Dec. 29at age 100, the Carter Center announcedon Xand his son James confirmed. The nation’s 39th president was moved to hospice care in February 2023 and shortly after, his wife Rosalynnentered hospice carein November 2023 amid adementia diagnosis.Rosalynn diedon Nov. 19, 2023, and was buried at the couple’s home in Plains, Georgia, where President Carter willalso be put to restnext to her.

From their childhood in Georgia to the White House and beyond, here’s what to know about Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s relationship.

August 19, 1927: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter meet

How many people can say they met their soul mate within their first 24 hours on this planet? Jimmy and Rosalynn first met when he was 3 years old and she was just one day old,according to NPR. Their parents were close friends and neighbors, and Jimmy’s mother, Bessie Lillian Carter, helped deliver Rosalynn,according to Biography.com. In fact, one of Rosalynn’s sisters is named Lillian after Jimmy’s mother.

The pair grew up in Plains, Georgia, and Rosalynn became good friends with Jimmy’s sister Ruth.

Summer 1945: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter go on their first date

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While 20-year-old Jimmy was home for the summer before starting his final year of college in Annapolis, Maryland, his plans with another girl fell through. He ran into his sister’s best friend Rosalynn, then 17 and home after her first year in college, and invited her to the movies on the spot.

The Carters don’t remember what movie they saw ontheir first date, but they do remember being smitten.

“I justfelt compatible with her. She was beautiful and innocent, and there was a resonance,” Jimmy told writers Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas for their bookWhat Makes A Marriage Last. “We rode in the rumble seat of a Ford pickup — Ruth and her boyfriend in the front — and I kissed her on that first date. I remember that vividly.”

In a poem from his 1995 bookAlways a Reckoning, Jimmy recalled his feelings on his and Rosalynn’s first date, writing, “I’d pay to sit behind her, blind to what / was on the screen, and watch the image flicker / on her hair.” After their first date, Jimmy told his mother that he wasgoing to marry Rosalynn.

May 1946: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter get engaged

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The Carters' romance proceeded at a whirlwind pace following their first date, even after Rosalynn and Jimmy each went back to school. In winter 1945, less than a year after their first date, Jimmyproposed to Rosalynn. She said no because she wanted to focus on her education, but in May 1946, he popped the question again and she said yes. Jimmy gifted Rosalynn a compact engraved with “ILYTG,” an acronym for theCarter family’s saying, “I love you the goodest.”

“Now all our children do the same thing — ILYTG on the phone or in emails,” Jimmy said. “They generally just put the initials. And sometimes they change the initials and make you guess what they’re talking about.”

July 7, 1946: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter get married

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on election night in 1976.Getty

Jimmy and Rosalynntied the knoton July 7, 1946, at the Plains Methodist Church in their hometown of Plains, Georgia. The wedding took place mere weeks after Jimmy graduated from the Naval Academy. The newlyweds moved to Norfolk, Virginia, shortly after their nuptials for Jimmy’s first naval assignment. The family would move several times in accordance with his military postings, including to California, Hawaii, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Just before their first wedding anniversary, Jimmy and Rosalynn welcomed their first child, sonJohn William “Jack” Carter, on July 3, 1947, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Jack later served in the Vietnam War andran for Senatein 2006.

April 12, 1950: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s second son is born

Jimmy and Rosalynn’s second child, sonJames Earl “Chip” Carter, was born on April 12, 1950, in Honolulu, where Jimmy was stationed in the Navy.

August 1952: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter welcome their third son

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Jimmy and Rosalynn’s sonDonnel Jeffrey “Jeff” Carterwas born in New London, Connecticut, in August 1952.

July 22, 1953: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter move back to Georgia after his father dies

On July 22, 1953, Jimmy’s father, James Earl Carter Sr., died from pancreatic cancer at age 58. Upon his father’s passing, Jimmy left the Navy for his hometown of Plains, Georgia, to work on his family’s peanut farm.

It was a rough patch for his and Rosalynn’s marriage, as she’d enjoyed life as a Navy wife. Jimmy later recalled that Rosalynn didn’t speak to him for the entire drive from Schenectady, New York, where they’d been stationed, to Plains. For her part, Rosalynntold theNew Yorkerthat she felt “resentful” of Jimmy’s decision to uproot their family.

The decision to go back to the farm ended up being a good one for their marriage and for Jimmy’s eventual political career — it solidified the couple as a team. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynntold the Associated Press. “I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things.”

November 5, 1962: Jimmy Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate

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Jimmy was elected to the Georgia State Senate on Nov. 5, 1962, following an unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate. Jimmy credited Rosalynn with his political successes,telling the Associated Press, “My wife is much more political.” He didn’t ask her permission to run for office, but knew she wouldn’t mind.

October 19, 1967: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter welcome their daughter Amy Lynn

Jimmy and Rosalynn welcomed their fourth child and only daughter,Amy Lynn, on Oct. 19, 1967, in Plains, Georgia. She would later grow up to be apolitical activistand children’s book author.

November 3, 1970: Jimmy Carter is elected governor of Georgia and Rosalynn begins mental health advocacy

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Rosalynn campaigned tirelessly for Jimmy, and their hard work paid off when he won the Georgia gubernatorial election on Nov. 3, 1970. Upon his inauguration, Rosalynn began her work on destigmatizing mental illness and raising awareness of mental health, as well as championing other causes as the state’s first lady.

“Jimmy gave me the confidence to do things I was afraid of,” Rosalynn said of her time asGeorgia’s first lady. “I remember when we were in the Georgia governor’s mansion, I used to greet tourists and talk to everybody who came through. One day, Jimmy told me I was going to have to make a speech. I was so nervous, and he said, ‘Why don’t you just do what you do at the governor’s mansion when you’re talking to the tourists?’ So I made the speech with no problem, ran to the telephone and called Jimmy to say, ‘I did it!’ I did it because I had to do it.”

November 2, 1976: Jimmy Carter is elected President of the United States

Jimmy won the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 2, 1976, thanks in part to further campaigning from his wife. Rosalynn visited 40 states, earning her the title of Jimmy’s “secret weapon.” In 1976, she told PEOPLE that she actually preferred campaigning solo for Jimmy. “We can reach twice as many people this way,” she said. “I’ve made as many as 12 speeches a day in one community. I enjoy it. But sometimes I want to stop and wash my hair.”

The pair maintained their teamwork during Jimmy’s single-term presidency, with first lady Rosalynn focusing on mental health initiatives.

November 4, 1980: Jimmy Carter loses his reelection bid

Rosalynn was devastated when Jimmy lost his reelection campaign toRonald Reaganon Nov. 4, 1980, with Jimmy recalling that she actuallytook the defeat harderthan he did — but that they eventually made lemonade from those lemons.

“I searched for good things about not being reelected, to ease her pain,” he said. “I was just 56 years old, I told her, and she was just 53, so we had at least 25 years of life ahead of us. That’s when theCarter Centerwas born. It has been a wonderful challenge.”

May 12, 1987: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter publishEverything to Gain

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The Carters co-wroteEverything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life. The couple said their memoir, released on May 12, 1987, was one of the most difficult endeavors they ever collaborated on because their work styles were so different.

“He’d quickly write a chapter in an afternoon, so I knew that it had to be a draft, but I’d work and work on my chapters until they were perfect,” Rosalynn told PEOPLE. “I didn’t want him to touch them.”

Jimmy added, “The thing is, we would agree on 97 percent of what we wrote, but then there was 3 percent we didn’t agree on. Or I might have found something humorous that she thought was very serious.” The couple said they’d leave each other angry letters on their word processor, with Jimmy recalling, “It was breaking up our marriage.” Thankfully, an editor saved their workandhome life.

1984: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter begin working with Habitat for Humanity

October 2014: Rosalynn Carter shares the secret to a happy marriagewith Jimmy Carter

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In a 2014 interview with PEOPLE, Rosalynn explained that she and Jimmy eachhaving their own separate interestshelps keep their love alive.

“I’d say space [is the secret to a lasting marriage]. One of the hardest times was when we came home from the White House,” she said. “It was the first time we’d been together in the house all day every day. So I got my office in what was a bedroom, and his is in what was the garage.”

August 13, 2015: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter work throughout his cancer treatment

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On Aug. 12, 2015, Jimmy and Rosalynn announced that Jimmy had liver cancer that had spread to other parts of his body — and just a day later, family and friends of the former president said that he and Rosalynn would be fine. Jimmy had undergone surgery a few days earlier to remove a small mass in his liver.

“They’ll get through this,” Jimmy’s cousin Betty Pope told PEOPLE. “And I’m sure he will go as long as he can and continue to do what he’s been doing. They’re already planning a big family Christmas with the kids and grandkids — 27 of them in Plains all week.”

December 6, 2015: Jimmy Carter’s cancer is gone

On Dec. 6, 2015, Jimmy Carter announced that his liver cancer was gone. “My most recent MRI brain scan did not reveal any signs of the original cancer spots nor any new ones,” he said in a statement. “I will continue to receive regular 3-week immunotherapy treatments of pembrolizumab.”

Jimmy soon returned to teach Sunday school at his church and included his cancer diagnosis in his lesson. After praying, Jimmy realized that he was “completely at ease” with death. He even joked that he and Rosalynn only plan one year ahead in advance because they’re “decrepit.”

August 2018: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter give an inside look at their modest life in Georgia

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in Plains, Georgia.Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty

In 2018, Jimmy and Rosalynn revealed whata day in the lifewas like for the pair. The couple, who live in the same two-bedroom home in Georgia that they did before he was elected president in 1976, engage in separate activities in the morning —Jimmy likes painting, swimming, building furniture or hanging out in his study, while Rosalynn likes meditation and tai chi — then make their own yogurt and watch Atlanta Braves games orLaw & Ordertogether.

In 2019, Jimmy and Rosalynn marked their 73rd wedding anniversary. The following day, the Carter Presidential library shared a photo from the couple’s wedding. “Yesterday was Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter’s73rd anniversary!” the tweet said. “He was 21, she 18, when they were married in Plains on 7/7/46. [Did you know] she rejected his 1st proposal? ‘She promised her father, on his deathbed, to finish college & would not marry until then.’ "

October 2019: Jimmy Carter credits marrying Rosalynn for his longevity

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After surviving cancer and several other health setbacks, includinga fall that required stitchesand abroken hipduring a turkey hunt, Jimmy said that his marriage is part of why he’s otherwise been in great health.

“It’s hard to live until you’re 95 years old,” he told PEOPLE. “I think the best explanation for that is tomarry the best spouse: someone who will take care of you and engage and do things to challenge you and keep you alive and interested in life.” He added, “I think both mine and Rosa’s minds are almost as good as they used to be, we just have limited capability on stamina and strength. But we still try to stay busy and do a good job at what we do.”

It’s a good thing too — in the same month, he was hospitalizedfor a fractured pelvisand again the following month for asubdural hematoma.

May 11, 2020: Jimmy Carter agrees that space is key to a happy marriage

In Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas’What Makes a Marriage Last, Jimmy said, “We found out a long time ago thatdisagreements are inevitablebetween two strong-willed people. But we decided early on to give each other plenty of space. If Rosalynn is interested in something, she does it her own way, accepting my help when she needs it. And she gives me plenty of space to work on my own projects but helps me when I need it. We also look for things to do together.”

July 7, 2020: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter mark 74 years together

Jimmy and Rosalynnmarked their 74th anniversaryon July 7, 2020.

“Jimmy has always thoughtI could do anything,” Rosalynn said inWhat Makes a Marriage Last. “Always. And so I’ve done everything. I campaigned all over the country. I’ve done things I never dreamed I could do.”

July 2021: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter say faith and fun are key to their lasting marriage

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Ahead of their 75th anniversary, Jimmy toldGood Morning Americathat the secret to his and Rosalynn’s marriage is having lives separate from one another whilebalancing shared interests.

“We’ve survived this long together because first of all, we give each other plenty of space to do our own thing,” Jimmy said, adding that they share plenty of common interests.

Rosalynn chimed in, “We’re always looking to do things or find things we can do together, like fly fishing and bird watching and just going out to the pond, catch a fish.”

Jimmy also noted the importance of their faith in their marriage, noting that they read the Bible together nightly, even if they aren’t physically together in the same place.

“When I’m overseas and Rose is at home, we know we’re reading the same biblical text,” he explained. “And even though we’re separated physically, it makes us think about the same scripture and admonition from God, direction from God, before we go to sleep, so it helps a lot.”

Another important lesson? They never go to bed angry.

July 7, 2021: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter celebrate their platinum anniversary

Yvonne Hemsey / Liaison Agency

The Cartersmarked 75 years of marriagewith a tweet from the Carter Center.

“#75YearsAgo today these two kids tied the knot and forged a bond that cannot be broken,” the Carter Center captioned a wedding photo of the couple. “They are now also the longest married presidential couple!”

Their grandson Jason Carter remarked of the big day, “The number of things that have to go right in your life to have a 75th anniversary — it’s a truly incredible milestone.”

More than 300 friends and family members, including formerPresident Bill Clinton,Hillary Clinton,Garth Brooks,Trisha YearwoodandTed Turner, celebrate Jimmy and Rosalynn’s75th wedding anniversary partyon July 10, 2021.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate with so many friends. It’s just so good to have you all here and I thank you for making it a good evening, a good time for us to be here and to be with friends we care about very much,” Rosalynn said.

October 1, 2022:Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s charity honors him on his 98th birthday

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The Carters celebrated another milestone on Oct. 1, 2022, when Jimmyturned 98 years old, marking the highest age a former U.S. president had ever reached.

In honor of his birthday, the couple’s charity, The Carter Center, created anonline bulletin boardwhere well-wishers left messages of appreciation. (The nonprofit had created a similar celebration forRosalynn’s 95th birthdayin August.)

February 18, 2023: Jimmy Carter enters hospice care

With the support of his family and medical team,Jimmy entered hospice careafter a series of short hospital stays.

Shortly after the announcement, Jimmy’s grandson James Carter and his wife, Sally Carter, visited him and Rosalynn at their home in Georgia. But the visit was anything but ordinary as the couple came prepared to show off their juggling skills.

“We are all juggling a lot lately. But yesterdaymy wife and I got to juggle for my grandparents. They loved it,” James captioned a video on Twitter.

Jonathan Fleece, president and CEO of Empath Health, believes Jimmy made the decision to enter hospice with “intention,” considering the growth of hospice in the U.S. was due to policies the former president advocated for during his time in office.

“Hospice has been a very important part of the president’s presidential service and policy from a public health perspective,” Fleece explained. “I think he not only felt that that was the best choice for him and his family, but I also think in a very admirable way, he wants tointentionally put hospice into the American conversations, as perhaps one of his final acts.”

May 30, 2023: Rosalynn Carter’s family reveals she was diagnosed with dementia

The Carter family announced that Rosalynn has beendiagnosed with dementia. A statement from her family read that the former first lady “continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones.”

August 19, 2023: Josh Carter says his grandparents are “still holding hands” in their “final chapter”

David Goldman/AP

During an interview with PEOPLE, Josh Carter shared that Jimmy and Rosalynn’s home in Georgia is “quiet and calm” after his grandfather entered hospice and his grandmother was diagnosed with dementia.

“My grandparents have always been the entertainers,” he said “But now we’re kind of the ones having to entertain. It’s different, it’s just a different era.”

While Rosalynn is slowly losing some of her memories, she still recognizes her family, including Jimmy.

“I think the beautiful thing is that they are still together. They are still holding hands … it’s just amazing,” Josh said. “It’s clearwe’re in the final chapter. They lived their lives to the fullest.”

November 17, 2023: Rosalynn Carter enters hospice care

Nearly six months after being diagnosed with dementia, Rosalynnentered hospice careat the Carter residence in Plains, Georgia.

“[Rosalynn] and President Carter are spending time with each other and their family,” read a health update from Jason Carter. “The Carter family continues to ask for privacy and remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support.”

November 19, 2023: Rosalynn Carter dies at 96

“Rosalynn was my equal partnerin everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it,” Jimmy wrote in a statement following his wife’s passing. “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

November 28, 2023: Jimmy Carter attends Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Jimmy, who was in a wheelchair, attendedRosalynn’s memorial servicein Atlanta. Draped over his knees was a woven blanket that featured depictions of him and his late wife, as well as illustrations reminiscent of their life in Plains, Georgia.

October 1, 2024: Jimmy Carter turns 100 years old

In October 2024, Jimmy became thefirst U.S. president to turn 100, breaking his previous record to remain the longest-living president in the country’s history.

The milestone came 19 months after Jimmy entered hospice care in early 2023.

November 19, 2024: Carter Center CEO says Jimmy Carter misses Rosalynn Carter “terribly, every day”

On the anniversary of Rosalynn’s death, Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander gave PEOPLE an update on Jimmy.

December 29, 2024: Jimmy Carter dies

Jimmy died on Dec. 29 at 100 years old at his longtime home in Plains, Georgia, according to the Carter Center. He will be buried alongside his wife of 77 years Rosalynn, who died on Nov. 19, 2023.

source: people.com