Recently, two lifelong soul mates celebrated an incredible milestone, as Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, had their 73-year-wedding anniversary. They’ve now become the longest-married presidential couple in U.S history. The Carter Center wrote about their impressive accomplishment in a Facebook post, stating that the couple had been married to each other for 26,765 days. Former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush previously held the record. So, what is the secret to their long and successful marriage? In 2016, during an interview on Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul Sunday, former President Carter said that he’s always supported his wife’s ambitions and dreams while allowing her to create her own space. He also noted that they never go to bed angry.
“Rosalynn has her own ideas, her own ambitions, her own goals in life, which, in some ways, are different from mine. I let her do her thing; she lets me do my thing,” Carter said. “And we try to resolve our inevitable and fairly frequent differences before we go to bed at night.” The former first lady is also an advocate for several important causes. Rosalynn Carter grew up just a couple of miles down the road from her future husband in Plains, Georgia. In fact, Jimmy’s younger sister, Ruth, was also one of her childhood friends.
The Washington Post reports, back in 1945, while Carter was on leave from the U.S. Naval Academy, he fell deeply in love with Rosalynn. And in less than a year, Carter proposed. But, at the time, Roselynn had to decline his offer, explaining that she had promised her father that she would not get married until she finished college.
After completing junior college, Rosalynn and Jimmy were finally married on July 7, 1947. Jimmy was 21, and she was 18.
The couple continued supporting each other’s passions over the years. Rosalynn was right by her husband’s side as he returned to Plains, Georgia, to take over his family’s peanut farm. Later, she joined him on the campaign trail in the early 60s during his run for Georgia’s state senate.
In 1966 and 1970, Carter ran for the office of governor of Georgia and would go on to become the state’s 76th governor.
Then in 1976, he became the 39th President of the United States, and Rosalynn made it clear from the very beginning that she had no intention of being a passive First Lady. In fact, she had her own ideas and agenda; also, she insisted on being informed about political matters. And Along with Betty F0rd and Lady Bird Johnson, Rosalynn Carter was an avid supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1978, Rosalynn Carter would host the First Lady’s Employment Seminar, which was designed to give communities the information they needed to deal with unemployment.
Rosalynn Carter was also very passionate about getting rid of the stigma around mental illness, as well as ensuring that mental health care was available to those who needed it.
And throughout everything, former President Carter remained a loyal supporter of his wife’s efforts and had the utmost respect for her as his equal partner.
In 1984, Rosalynn Carter published a book titled “First Lady From Plains.”
The Carters have four children: John William (born 1947), James Earl III (Born 1950, Donnel Jeffery (born in 1952), and Amy (born in 1967).
And after over seven decades together, the Carters have remained steady for each other through many ups and downs. But, through it all, they have always been each other’s best friend and fiercest supporter.
Former President Carter and Rosalynn are currently very committed to continuing their humanitarian work. The couple started the Carter Center, which promotes human rights and alleviates suffering around the world. They’ve also begun the Carter Work Project, a weeklong event for Habitat for Humanity.
This year, President Carter suffered a terrible fall, which left him with 14 stitches. However, even at age 95 (which makes him the oldest living president), he’s not missing a beat. In fact, this year, President Carter helped build a Nashville home for Habitat for Humanity.
Here is a video tribute dedicated to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter
Source: Wide Open Country
