Jimmy Carter said his wife, Rosalynn, was 'my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished.' Here's a timeline of their 77-year relationship.

Elana Klein,Talia LakritzMay 29, 2024, 15:09 IST

US President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter dance at a White House Congressional Ball in 1978.Universal History Archive/Getty Images

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years before her death in November 2023.
It makes them the longest-married presidential couple in US history.

Jimmy Carter was 3 years old and Rosalynn Smith was a baby when they met for the first time.

They were the longest-wed presidential couple in history, married for 77 years until Rosalynn Carter's death on November 19 at the age of 96.

"The best thing I ever did was marrying Rosalynn," the former president said in a 2015 interview at his nonprofit, The Carter Center, shared by C-SPAN. "That's the pinnacle of my life."

"Though we faced extraordinary responsibilities and lived a life we could have never, ever dreamed of, we are first and always Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter from Plains, Georgia," Rosalynn wrote in her 1984 autobiography, "First Lady From Plains."

In February 2023, Jimmy Carter, now 99, entered hospice care at their home in Plains, Georgia, where they've lived since 1962. The Carter Center announced in November that Rosalynn died at home surrounded by friends, family, and her husband.

Here's a timeline of the Carters' relationship.

August 1927: Jimmy Carter was just 3 years old when he met his future wife.

Jimmy Carter in 1928.Historical/Getty Images

1945: It wasn't until he was attending the US Naval Academy that Jimmy finally asked Rosalynn out on a date.

Jimmy Carter gets his bars pinned on by his wife, Rosalynn, left, and his mother, Lillian Carter, at the US Naval Academy in an undated photo.Associated Press

1946: Jimmy proposed to Rosalynn — twice.

The couple in September 1966.Horace Cort/Associated Press

July 7, 1946: The Carters married in their hometown.

Pictured in 1986, Jimmy Carter, and his wife, Rosalynn, stand in front of a photograph taken on their wedding day in 1946.Bettmann/Getty Images

July 3, 1947: Jimmy and Rosalynn welcomed the first of their four children, John William Carter, known as Jack.

Jack Carter, left, with his parents in the 1950s.Bettman via Getty Images

April 12, 1950: Their second son, James Earl Carter III, was born while the family was living in Honolulu, Hawaii. He goes by Chip.

Chip Carter in 1977.Mikki Ansin/Getty Images

August 18, 1952: They had their third child, Donnel Jeffrey Carter, who is known as Jeff.

Jeff Carter, Jimmy Carter's third son, in 1976.Bettmann via Getty Images

1953: They moved back to Georgia, where they worked together on Carter's family farm and he started his political career.

Jimmy Carter on his peanut farm in 1976.PhotoQuest/Getty Images

October 19, 1967: Amy Carter, the couple's youngest child, was born.

Amy Carter in 1976.Newsday LLC/Getty Images

January 12, 1971: Carter began serving as the governor of Georgia, making Rosalynn the state's first lady.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1973.Evening Standard/Getty Images

August 7, 1975: They became grandparents with the birth of their first grandchild, Jason James Carter.

Jason James Carter is pictured top left.CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

1976: During the 1976 presidential election, Rosalynn traveled the country to campaign for her husband.

Jimmy and Rosalynn smile after his victory in the Pennsylvania primary election on April 27, 1976.Mikki Ansin/Getty Images

November 2, 1976: The couple embraced after learning that Carter had won the 1976 election.

Jimmy Carter embraces his wife Rosalynn after receiving the final news of his victory in the national general election, November 2, 1976.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

January 20, 1977: Jimmy Carter became the 39th president of the United States with Rosalynn by his side.

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter at the 1977 inauguration.Nik Wheeler/Getty Images

1977: Carter's term started, and Rosalynn became the first lady of the US.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at the Inaugural Ball in 1977.HUM Images/Getty Images

1979: President Carter gave Rosalynn a kiss on the cheek after announcing his run for reelection.

President Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter in 1979.Diana Walker/Getty Images

1980: After Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan, Rosalynn was outspoken in her support of her husband.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1980.Wally McNamee/Getty Images

January 1981: With daughter Amy, the couple moved back to their modest home in Georgia after leaving the White House.

Jimmy, Rosalynn, and Amy Carter smile at the crowds following their return to Plains, Georgia, after leaving the White House in 1981.Chuck Fishman/Getty Images

1982: The couple founded The Carter Center, a nongovernmental organization that promotes human rights.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1981.Bromberger Hoover Photography/Getty Images

1984: They worked with Habitat for Humanity for the first time, beginning a decades-long partnership.

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter during the first Carter Work Project in New York City in September 1984.Jim Peppler/Newsday RM via Getty Images

October 2014: In an interview marking Jimmy Carter's 90th birthday, Rosalynn told People magazine she believed "space" was the key to a lasting marriage.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in April 2014.Chris McKay/Getty Images

October 2019: After he turned 95, Carter said the secret to a long life was to "marry the best spouse."

The Carters in 2019.AP Photo/David Goldman

Jimmy and Rosalynn continued to make public appearances and endorse political candidates.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 2008 at the DNC.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

2021: Reflecting on 75 years of marriage, Carter told PBS that if he and Rosalynn experience any "differences" during the day, they "make up and give each other a kiss before we go to sleep."

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter take a break at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity Edmonton in 2017.SOPA Images/Getty Images

2021: Reflecting on 75 years of marriage, Carter told PBS that if he and Rosalynn experience any "differences" during the day, they "make up and give each other a kiss before we go to sleep."

February 2023: The Carter Center shared that, at 98, Jimmy had entered at-home hospice care, surrounded by his family.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 2015.Michael Kovac/Getty Images

May 2023: Rosalynn was diagnosed with dementia, the Carter Center said.

Rosalynn Carter is pictured at her home following a visit with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in April 2021.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

November 19, 2023: Rosalynn Carter died at the age of 96.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at home in Plains, Georgia, in 2018.Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

November 28, 2023: Jimmy Carter wore a blanket with his late wife's face on it to her memorial service.

Former President Jimmy Carter arrives to attend a tribute service for his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter.Andrew Harnik via AP photos

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Jimmy Carter said his wife, Rosalynn, was 'my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished.' Here's a timeline of their 77-year relationship.

August 1927: Jimmy Carter was just 3 years old when he met his future wife.

1945: It wasn't until he was attending the US Naval Academy that Jimmy finally asked Rosalynn out on a date.

1946: Jimmy proposed to Rosalynn — twice.

July 7, 1946: The Carters married in their hometown.

July 3, 1947: Jimmy and Rosalynn welcomed the first of their four children, John William Carter, known as Jack.

April 12, 1950: Their second son, James Earl Carter III, was born while the family was living in Honolulu, Hawaii. He goes by Chip.

August 18, 1952: They had their third child, Donnel Jeffrey Carter, who is known as Jeff.

1953: They moved back to Georgia, where they worked together on Carter's family farm and he started his political career.

October 19, 1967: Amy Carter, the couple's youngest child, was born.

January 12, 1971: Carter began serving as the governor of Georgia, making Rosalynn the state's first lady.

August 7, 1975: They became grandparents with the birth of their first grandchild, Jason James Carter.

1976: During the 1976 presidential election, Rosalynn traveled the country to campaign for her husband.

November 2, 1976: The couple embraced after learning that Carter had won the 1976 election.

January 20, 1977: Jimmy Carter became the 39th president of the United States with Rosalynn by his side.

1977: Carter's term started, and Rosalynn became the first lady of the US.

1979: President Carter gave Rosalynn a kiss on the cheek after announcing his run for reelection.

1980: After Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan, Rosalynn was outspoken in her support of her husband.

January 1981: With daughter Amy, the couple moved back to their modest home in Georgia after leaving the White House.

1982: The couple founded The Carter Center, a nongovernmental organization that promotes human rights.

1984: They worked with Habitat for Humanity for the first time, beginning a decades-long partnership.

October 2014: In an interview marking Jimmy Carter's 90th birthday, Rosalynn told People magazine she believed "space" was the key to a lasting marriage.

October 2019: After he turned 95, Carter said the secret to a long life was to "marry the best spouse."

Jimmy and Rosalynn continued to make public appearances and endorse political candidates.

2021: Reflecting on 75 years of marriage, Carter told PBS that if he and Rosalynn experience any "differences" during the day, they "make up and give each other a kiss before we go to sleep."

February 2023: The Carter Center shared that, at 98, Jimmy had entered at-home hospice care, surrounded by his family.

May 2023: Rosalynn was diagnosed with dementia, the Carter Center said.

November 19, 2023: Rosalynn Carter died at the age of 96.

November 28, 2023: Jimmy Carter wore a blanket with his late wife's face on it to her memorial service.