ATLANTA — Rosalynn Carter will be remembered for many things, including her 77-year marriage to her childhood sweetheart.
Over the years, former President Jimmy Carter has said that the first step toward a successful marriage is to find the right person. He certainly did just that. He and Rosalynn Carter married when he was 21 years old and she was 18.
At a Habitat for Humanity build in Nashville in 2019, the couple revealed some of the secrets that kept their marriage happy and healthy.
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“Every night we read the Bible together,” said Jimmy Carter. “One night she reads and the next night I read. It’s hard to stay mad when you read the same passage of the Bible together.”
Growing up together in Plains, Georgia, Rosalynn rejected Jimmy Carter’s initial marriage proposal.
He persisted, leading to a marriage that endured political campaigns that saw Rosalynn play a leading role.
For 77 years their affection for one another was constantly on display. As their family grew, their love deepened.
“Just a good life with children and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and being happily married,” said Mrs. Carter in 2019.
As the years passed, the world celebrated with them.
Two years ago, at a gathering for their 75th wedding anniversary, Rosalynn Carter admitted there was a time when she thought she would never marry.
“Then along came Jimmy Carter and my life has been an adventure ever since,” she said.
Those adventures include the moments they gave each other room to pursue their own interests.
But they would always come back together.
“We took up downhill skiing when I was 62-years-old and she was 59,” said Mr. Carter. "We’ve taken up birdwatching and playing tennis and flyfishing.”
For 77 years they stood by the vow “till death do us part”
Childhood sweethearts, who lived extraordinary lives that took them from Plains to the White House and back. Always together.