The longest-married presidential pair in American history, Jimmy Carter, 96, and his wife Rosalynn Carter, 93, recently celebrated their historic 75th wedding anniversary. Over the years, the Carters, who are well-known for their kindness and devotion to humanitarian projects like Habitat for Humanity, have won even more praise for their unwavering dedication to helping others.
Jimmy Carter considers his marriage to Rosalynn to be the high point of his life, surpassing the previous record of 73 years and 111 days set by George H.W. and Barbara Bush. “Getting married to Rosalynn was the best thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
In their hometown of Plains, Georgia, on July 7, 1946, the pair tied the knot. Rosalynn was eighteen and Jimmy, twenty-one, had recently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. Jimmy and Rosalynn were neighbors growing up, and their friendship lasted a lifetime since Rosalynn was close friends with Jimmy’s younger sister, Ruth.
Jimmy said, “I’d known Rosalynn since the day she was born, and I just felt compatible with her,” in reflection on their relationship. Jimmy remembers their first date ending in a kiss that is still fresh in his mind. Rosalynn talked warmly about how she fell in love after viewing a picture of Jimmy in uniform.
The four children raised by the Carters attribute their solid partnership to encouragement and support from one another. Rosalynn noted that Jimmy has always had faith in her, which has enabled her to do things like campaign throughout the nation, which she never would have imagined being feasible.
The Carters have been devoted Habitat for Humanity supporters for many years. Through their Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project and personal efforts, they have assisted in the construction of homes for those in need. They are still volunteering, and together with over 104,000 other volunteers, they have assisted over 4,300 families in finding safe housing, even though they are in their nineties.
One of the main things that has kept the couple together is their faith. Jimmy explained how they maintain their spiritual ties despite being separated by saying, “We read the Bible together every night.”
The marriage of the Carters, who have four children, twelve grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren, is a monument to love, faith, and common principles. Cheers to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s 75th wedding anniversary!