Former first lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96 in home state of Georgia among loved ones

President Jimmy Carter’s wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, died Sunday at her Georgia home with family members, according to an announcement from the Carter Center.

The Georgia native and mother of three was 96 years old. A graduate of Georgia Southwestern College, she met her future husband and president of the United States when she was only 18 years old in 1945. Jimmy Carter was attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis at the time.

After the two married in 1946, and her husband became the governor of Georgia in 1970, Rosalynn became committed to helping others with mental health issues. During her time as Georgia’s first lady, she worked as a volunteer at Georgia Regional Hospital and spent four years as the honorary chairperson for the Georgia Special Olympics.

Rosalynn Carter is survived by her husband, who is now 99 years old, and also her three children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, according to a report from the Carter Foundation.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” former 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.”

Rosalynn Carter entered hospice late last week, but was diagnosed with dementia earlier this year. During her husband’s presidency, Time magazine called her “the second most powerful person in the United States.”