Jimmy Carter says the secret to a long life is to 'marry the best spouse.' Here's a timeline of his 76-year relationship with wife Rosalynn.

Elana KleinMar 1, 2023, 20:57 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 are the longest-married presidential couple in US history.
They are both from Plains, Georgia, and have known each other since Rosalynn was a newborn.

Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, have been married for over 76 years.

Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter.Douglas Elbinger/Getty Images

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 become 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 believes "space" is 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 have 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."

2023: At 98, Jimmy is in at-home hospice care, surrounded by his family.

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

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Jimmy Carter says the secret to a long life is to 'marry the best spouse.' Here's a timeline of his 76-year relationship with wife Rosalynn.

Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, have been married for over 76 years.

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 become 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 believes "space" is 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 have 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."

2023: At 98, Jimmy is in at-home hospice care, surrounded by his family.