Rosalynn Carter has died

NEW YORK -- May 11, 1999 -- ROSALYNN-CARTER, 5-11 -- Rosalynn Carter during an interview last week. Mrs. Carter was the prelude to Hillary Rodham Clinton, a quietly rebellious first lady of the late 1970's who sat in on Cabinet meetings, pushed Congress to pass mental health legislation and was asked by her party to run for the U.S. Senate seat from Georgia.'What would I have done in Washington with Jimmy at home?' said Mrs. Carter on commenting on why she did not run for the Senate. (Librado Romero/New York Times Photo)

NEW YORK -- May 11, 1999 -- ROSALYNN-CARTER, 5-11 -- Rosalynn Carter during an interview last week. Mrs. Carter was the prelude to Hillary Rodham Clinton, a quietly rebellious first lady of the late 1970's who sat in on Cabinet meetings, pushed Congress to pass mental health legislation and was asked by her party to run for the U.S. Senate seat from Georgia.'What would I have done in Washington with Jimmy at home?' said Mrs. Carter on commenting on why she did not run for the Senate. (Librado Romero/New York Times Photo)

Rosalynn Carter, the wife of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, has died.

The Carter Center announced on Sunday that the former first lady died at 2:10 p.m. in her Plains home.

She was 96.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President Carter said. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

On Thursday, the Carter Center announced that Rosalynn Carter, who has been a champion for mental health advocacy, had entered hospice.

She is survived by her children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy — and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A grandson died in 2015.

“Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right,” said Chip Carter. “Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.”

The schedule of memorial events and funeral ceremonies will be distributed as soon as possible to media and posted on www.rosalynncartertribute.org. This tribute website includes the family’s official online condolence book and opportunities for memorial gifts, as well as an official biography and downloadable photos.

Rosalynn Carter was married for 77 years to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is now 99 years old.