The Sweetest Photos of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Through the Years
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Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter (née Smith) were married 77 years. The two met essentially when Rosalynn was born—their families were neighbors—and started dating when Jimmy attended the U.S. Naval Academy. They would marry in 1946, in their hometown of Plains, Georgia, and have four children: Jack (b. 1947), James III, a.k.a. Chip (b. 1950), Donnell Jeffery (b. 1952) and Amy (b. 1967). Rosalynn played a key role in her husband's political career, and Jimmy called her his most trusted advisor.
In memory of former president Jimmy Carter, who passed away at age 100 on December 29, 2024, and Rosalynn, who passed away in November 2023 at age 96, here scroll through the best photos of Jimmy and Rosalynn through the years:
1946
Jimmy and Rosalynn on their wedding day. They were married at the Plains Methodist Church.
Undated
The Carters (center) with their three sons.
1976
The couple spent Valentine's Day 1976 at a fundraiser for his presidential campaign in Atlanta, Georgia.
1976
The Carters on stage after Jimmy won the New Hampshire Democratic Primary election.
1976
Pictured here after Jimmy won the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary.
1976
The Carters during a campaign stop.
1976
At the Democratic National Convention, Jimmy Carter accepted the Democratic nomination for president. He was joined on stage by Rosalynn.
1976
The Carter family pictured at their home in Plains, Georgia during the fall.
1976
Jimmy and Rosalynn hug as they find out Jimmy has won the presidency, defeating incumbent President Gerald Ford.
1977
The Carters became the first president and first lady to walk from the Capitol to the White House in the post-ceremony parade. They held hands with their daughter, Amy, as their sons followed behind.
1977
They danced the night away at the inaugural ball.
1977
Rosalynn hugged her husband as they danced.
1977
At the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, President Carter carried his grandson, Jason on his shoulders. His daughter Amy is at his side and First Lady Rosalynn is right behind him.
1977
A close-up of the Carters during his first year in office.
1977
A sweet snap of Jimmy and Rosalynn having lunch in the Oval Office. They had one-on-one lunch every Thursday.
1977
A big family portrait of the Carters. Rosalynn is center, in green.
1977
Their first Christmas at the White House.
Read more: Christmas at the White House Through the Years
1978
Jimmy smiles at his wife during a 1978 event in Washington, D.C.
1978
The Carters smile on stage during a jazz concert on the South Lawn, wearing matching necklaces.
1978
The original caption is too good here: "President and Mrs. Carter break into an impromptu waltz on the State Floor while awaiting the arrival of Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping and party to sign a series of cultural and scientific agreements at the conclusion of the formal state visit."
1978
The Carters go for a jog together.
1979
A portrait by Ansel Adams.
1979
The original caption reads: "President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn relax in the sun aboard the riverboat The Delta Queen after the craft left Dubuque. Shoeless and dressed in shorts and sport shirt, the President was getting a few moments of relaxation during his 'working vacation'— a trip down the Mississippi."
1979
Another photograph of the Carters on the Delta Queen riverboat.
Undated
An undated portrait of the Carters in the White House.
1980
They rode a tandem bike, because of course they did.
1980
The two waved to the crowd at the 1980 Democratic National Convention.
1980
At a black tie event in New York City in 1980.
1984
After leaving the presidency, Jimmy and Rosalynn jumped into charity work. Here, they are renovating a tenement on East 6th Street in the East Village in Manhattan, working with Habitat for Humanity.
1984
On the same trip, Carter rocked the same Habitat for Humanity t-shirt that Rosalynn wore.
1987
They started writing books, too. Here, they're promoting Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life.
1988
The Carters attended the U.S. Open, and Jimmy brought his own camera.
1994
They attended the funeral of former president Richard Nixon.
1995
Once again, they are photographed working with Habitat—this time in Los Angeles.
1996
They held hands at an event at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum in Atlanta, Georgia.
2000
Jimmy and Rosalynn dance during an event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the White House.
2002
The Carters hold hands on a visit to Cuba. Jimmy became the first American president to visit the island since Fidel Castro took power in 1959.
2002
Jimmy and Rosalynn kiss after a press conference in Plains, where he talked about receiving the Noble Peace Prize.
2002
The Carters with their grandson Hugo (in red) and daughter Amy (right) ahead of the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo.
2004
Jimmy and Rosalynn attended the Democratic National Convention.
2005
Once again working with Habitat for Humanity, pictured here in Detroit.
2005
They took in the Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros game.
2006
Jimmy held Rosalynn's arm as walk on the tarmac after the plane carrying the casket of former U.S. President Gerald arrived in Grand Rapids Michigan.
2008
They visited Jordan to promote Mideast peace talks.
2008
Back at the Democratic National Convention! This time in 2008, for the nomination of Barack Obama.
2009
The Carters attended the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th US president.
2009
They traveled to Dong Xa with Habitat for Humanity.
2009
And to Phnom Penh with the organization. Note Rosalynn in the same hat.
2010
They loved watching the Braves play. They're pictured here at a playoffs game.
2013
They returned to D.C. for Obama's second term inauguration.
2014
Jimmy and Rosalynn attended church on Easter Sunday at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Jimmy taught Sunday school for many years.
2015
They attended the the 25th anniversary MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan.
2017
The Carters, pictured at the inauguration of Donald Trump.
2018
They attended the state funeral of former president George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral.
2018
The Carters are photographed holding hands in their hometown of Plains.
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