Rosalynn Carter, who as first lady worked tirelessly on behalf of mental health reform and professionalized the role of the president's spouse, died Sunday, November 19, at the age of 96, according to the Carter Center.

Throughout her life, the former first lady was an advocate for various causes, including human rights, mental health, early childhood immunization and conflict resolution.

The Carters were married in 1946. The former president, reflecting on his accomplishments in 2015, said, "The best thing I ever did was marrying Rosalynn."

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married on July 7, 1946. Both were born and raised in Plains, Georgia.
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married on July 7, 1946. Both were born and raised in Plains, Georgia.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP
Jimmy Carter, then a Georgia state senator, hugs his wife at his campaign headquarters in Atlanta in 1966.
Jimmy Carter, then a Georgia state senator, hugs his wife at his campaign headquarters in Atlanta in 1966.
Horace Cort/AP
Rosalynn works the phones for her husband's presidential campaign in May 1976.
Rosalynn works the phones for her husband's presidential campaign in May 1976.
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The president holds his grandson Jason as he and Rosalynn watch their daughter, Amy, in July 1976. The Carters also have three sons: Jeff, Chip and Jack. Jason is Jack's son.
The president holds his grandson Jason as he and Rosalynn watch their daughter, Amy, in July 1976. The Carters also have three sons: Jeff, Chip and Jack. Jason is Jack's son.
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The Carters embrace after receiving news that Jimmy had won the presidential election in November 1976.
The Carters embrace after receiving news that Jimmy had won the presidential election in November 1976.
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Rosalynn is interviewed by Barbara Walters for a TV special that aired in December 1976.
Rosalynn is interviewed by Barbara Walters for a TV special that aired in December 1976.
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The Carters hold Amy's hand as they walk down Pennsylvania Avenue after the inauguration in January 1977. It was the first time in history that a president had not ridden toward the White House in a carriage or automobile to celebrate taking the oath of office.
The Carters hold Amy's hand as they walk down Pennsylvania Avenue after the inauguration in January 1977. It was the first time in history that a president had not ridden toward the White House in a carriage or automobile to celebrate taking the oath of office.
Suzanne Vlamis/AP
The Carters dance during one of the inaugural balls in January 1977.
The Carters dance during one of the inaugural balls in January 1977.
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Rosalynn greets children during a trip to Brazil in June 1977.
Rosalynn greets children during a trip to Brazil in June 1977.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
As honorary chairwoman of the President's Commission on Mental Health, Rosalynn presents her husband with the commission's recommendations for sweeping reforms to mental health policy and programs in 1978. The report led to the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. Rosalynn has been a driving force for mental health throughout her life.
As honorary chairwoman of the President's Commission on Mental Health, Rosalynn presents her husband with the commission's recommendations for sweeping reforms to mental health policy and programs in 1978. The report led to the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. Rosalynn has been a driving force for mental health throughout her life.
Jimmy Carter Library
The Carters relax on a riverboat in Dubuque, Iowa, in August 1979.
The Carters relax on a riverboat in Dubuque, Iowa, in August 1979.
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Rosalynn travels on a plane as part of a campaign trip in October 1979. Her husband was up for reelection.
Rosalynn travels on a plane as part of a campaign trip in October 1979. Her husband was up for reelection.
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Rosalynn campaigns for her husband in Waterloo, Iowa, in January 1980. Behind her, from left, are Joan Mondale, wife of Vice President Walter Mondale; Muriel Humphrey, former US senator and wife of the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey; and Ruth Carter Stapleton, Jimmy Carter's youngest sister.
Rosalynn campaigns for her husband in Waterloo, Iowa, in January 1980. Behind her, from left, are Joan Mondale, wife of Vice President Walter Mondale; Muriel Humphrey, former US senator and wife of the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey; and Ruth Carter Stapleton, Jimmy Carter's youngest sister.
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The Harlem Globetrotters help Rosalynn spin a basketball on her finger in March 1980.
The Harlem Globetrotters help Rosalynn spin a basketball on her finger in March 1980.
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The Carter ride a bicycle built for two in Plains, Georgia, in December 1980. Jimmy lost to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.
The Carter ride a bicycle built for two in Plains, Georgia, in December 1980. Jimmy lost to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.
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Rosalynn published her book "First Lady From Plains" in 1984.
Rosalynn published her book "First Lady From Plains" in 1984.
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The Carters pose for pictures at a book signing event in San Francisco in 1987. They were promoting their book "Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life."
The Carters pose for pictures at a book signing event in San Francisco in 1987. They were promoting their book "Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life."
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Rosalynn appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1998.
Rosalynn appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1998.
Alice S. Hall/NBCUniversal/Getty Images)
Rosalynn gets a kiss from her husband after they were awarded Presidential Medals of Freedom in 1999. The Carters were presented with the medals for the work they have done since leaving the White House in 1980.
Rosalynn gets a kiss from her husband after they were awarded Presidential Medals of Freedom in 1999. The Carters were presented with the medals for the work they have done since leaving the White House in 1980.
Tami Chappell/Reuters
The Carters wave to delegates during the Democratic National Convention in 2004.
The Carters wave to delegates during the Democratic National Convention in 2004.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Rosalynn makes phone calls to voters at the campaign headquarters of her son Jack. who was running for a US Senate seat in 2006.
Rosalynn makes phone calls to voters at the campaign headquarters of her son Jack. who was running for a US Senate seat in 2006.
Laura Rauch/AP
The Carters pose for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2007.
The Carters pose for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2007.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Rosalynn visits a hospital in Ashkelon, Israel, in 2008.
Rosalynn visits a hospital in Ashkelon, Israel, in 2008.
Sebastian Scheiner/Pool/Getty Images
The Carters arrive for Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2009.
The Carters arrive for Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2009.
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The Carters kiss in October 2009 as Rosalynn introduces her husband at the ceremony for the redesigned Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.
The Carters kiss in October 2009 as Rosalynn introduces her husband at the ceremony for the redesigned Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.
John Bazemore/AP
In 2010, the Carters joined about 300 volunteers for a Habitat for Humanity project working on houses in Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland.
In 2010, the Carters joined about 300 volunteers for a Habitat for Humanity project working on houses in Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland.
Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Rosalynn speaks to senators on Capitol Hill during a hearing of the Special Committee on Aging in 2011. Carter urged the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which provides older Americans access to caregiving services.
Rosalynn speaks to senators on Capitol Hill during a hearing of the Special Committee on Aging in 2011. Carter urged the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which provides older Americans access to caregiving services.
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The Carters are joined by their 4-year-old grandson Errol at Jimmy's 90th birthday celebration in Americus, Georgia, in 2014.
The Carters are joined by their 4-year-old grandson Errol at Jimmy's 90th birthday celebration in Americus, Georgia, in 2014.
Branden Camp/AP
From left, Rosalynn, Caroline Kennedy and Hillary Clinton follow the casket of former first lady Nancy Reagan during her funeral in 2016.
From left, Rosalynn, Caroline Kennedy and Hillary Clinton follow the casket of former first lady Nancy Reagan during her funeral in 2016.
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The Carters walk home together after having dinner at a friend's home in Plains in 2018.
The Carters walk home together after having dinner at a friend's home in Plains in 2018.
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The Carters are seen on the "kiss cam" during an NBA basketball game in Atlanta in 2019.
The Carters are seen on the "kiss cam" during an NBA basketball game in Atlanta in 2019.
John Bazemore/AP
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F04%2F29%2Fpolitics%2Fbidens-carters-visit-georgia%2Findex.html" target="_blank">meet with the Carters</a> at the Carters' home in Plains in April 2021. The photo grabbed people's attention on social media because of what appeared to be a significant size difference between the two couples. Many experts theorized that it was the result of a wide-angle lens. Adam Schultz, the chief official White House photographer, declined to explain <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2021%2F05%2F05%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fbiden-carters-photo.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">when reached by The New York Times</a>.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden meet with the Carters at the Carters' home in Plains in April 2021. The photo grabbed people's attention on social media because of what appeared to be a significant size difference between the two couples. Many experts theorized that it was the result of a wide-angle lens. Adam Schultz, the chief official White House photographer, declined to explain when reached by The New York Times.
Adam Schultz/White House/AP
The Carters relax at their home in Plains in June 2021. In 2019, they became the longest-married presidential couple in history.
The Carters relax at their home in Plains in June 2021. In 2019, they became the longest-married presidential couple in history.
Erin Schaff/The New York Times/Redux
The Carters appear at <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F09%2F23%2Fpolitics%2Fjimmy-rosalynn-carter-georgia-festival%2Findex.html" target="_blank">the Peanut Festival Parade</a> in Plains, Georgia, in September 2023. It was the first time the former first lady had been seen in public since she was diagnosed with dementia in May.
The Carters appear at the Peanut Festival Parade in Plains, Georgia, in September 2023. It was the first time the former first lady had been seen in public since she was diagnosed with dementia in May.
Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty Images