Today, former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter are commemorating their 77th anniversary of marriage.
Few couples ever reach that milestone anniversary, and it increases their record for being the longest-married US presidential couple ever. It speaks much about their enduring love and dedication to one another.
The occasion marks the end of a trying year for both spouses. Jimmy, 98, was revealed to be receiving hospice care in February after choosing to “spend his remaining time at home with his family.”
The Carter Center also said on May 30 that Rosalynn, 95, had been given a dementia diagnosis.
The long-married pair is still celebrating their anniversary together despite their recent health issues. The Plains, Georgia, couple is reportedly keeping things simple by spending the day at home alone.
There have been no new developments regarding the Carters’ health, but it is said that they are having fun together and are frequently visited by loved ones and close friends.
Jimmy and Rosalynn have been married for 77 years, which is amazing, but their romance dates back even longer. They have been close friends for almost their whole lives.
Rosalynn and Jimmy knew each other’s sisters and grew up three miles apart. It was love at first sight even then.
In her memoir, Rosalynn stated, “I thought he was the most handsome young man I had ever seen.”
When Jimmy Carter returned home from the U.S. Naval Academy years later, his sister fixed them up on a date, and they had a good time. In their native Plains, Georgia, on July 7, 1946, they were united in marriage.
After his father passed away in 1953, Jimmy Carter continued serving in the military until he resigned and took over the family farm. However, he quickly started a career in politics and was elected to the Georgia Senate in 1962.
Rosalynn stood by his side the entire time. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP. “On paper, I was more knowledgeable about the company than he was. He would follow my recommendations.
