After the death of Rosalynn Carter, a former first lady and global humanitarian, reactions emerged throughout the politics of the United States.
President Joe Biden said the Carters “brought grace” to the White House. “He had great integrity and still does. And so is he,” Biden told reporters as he boarded Air Force One from Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday night. “God bless you”.
Biden said he spoke with the family and was told Jimmy Carter was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
The White House later released an official joint statement from the president and first lady, Jill Biden, saying Carter inspired the country.
“She is an advocate for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for the mental health and well-being of all people; and a supporter of the often invisible and unpaid caregivers of our children, elderly loved ones, and people with disabilities,” the statement read.
Former President George W. Bush called Rosalynn Carter a woman of dignity and strength.
“There is no greater supporter of President Carter and his society who has shown an outstanding example of loyalty. He left a significant legacy in his work to undermine mental health. “We join our fellow Americans in sending our condolences to President Carter and his family,” Bush said in a statement with former first lady Laura Bush.
Former President Donald Trump said Mr. Carter earned the “admiration and gratitude” of the country.
“From her days as the wife of a United States Marine, to the Georgia governor’s mansion, to her time as the first lady of the United States, and her subsequent work at the Carter Center and volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, he left a legacy of extraordinary achievements and national service,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
In another statement, former first lady Melania Trump said Rosalynn Carter left an important legacy.
“We will always remember her heart of service and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May he rest in peace,” Melania Trump told X.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called Rosalynn Carter a “holy and revered public servant” who was driven by faith, compassion, and kindness.
“On the world stage, First Lady Carter was a trailblazer. Her historic and risky mission to Latin America in 1977 ushered in a new era of commitment to the region. Two years later, she became the first woman to speak at the World Health Organization, where she argued that mental health is an aspect of physical health and health is a human right,” Pelosi said in a statement offering condolences to the Carter family.
Bill and Hillary Clinton called Rosalynn Carter a defender of human dignity.
“Thanks to your mental health advocacy, more people are living with better care and less stigma. Thanks to his early leadership on childhood vaccinations, millions of Americans are growing up healthier. And through decades of work at the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity, she spread hope, health, and democracy around the world,” the former president and former Secretary of State wrote in a joint statement. “Rosalynn has always been and will be remembered as the epitome of a life lived meaningfully.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens called Rosalynn Carter “a model of the modern first lady” and praised her work promoting mental health awareness.
“She never stopped advocating for mental health or the Equal Rights Amendment,” Dickens said in a statement. “The city of Atlanta joins the rest of Georgia and the rest of the world in mourning as we honor the memory of First Lady Rosalynn Carter.”
