Former first lady Rosalynn Carter enters hospice care
In hospice FILE PHOTO: Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn prior to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Rosalynn Carter has been admitted into hospice care. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has entered hospice care, according to the Carter Center and WSB-TV.
Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, said in a statement shared Friday that the 96-year-old had entered hospice care at home.
“She and President Carter are spending time with each other and their family,” he said. “The Carter family continues to ask for privacy and remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support.”
The announcement came months after the Carter Center announced that former President Jimmy Carter, 99, had entered home hospice care. He made the decision in February.
Earlier this year, the Carter Center said Rosalynn Carter was diagnosed with dementia. In a statement obtained in May by WSB, officials with the nonprofit said that she continued “to live happily at home with her husband” in Plains, Georgia.
In August, one of the couple’s grandsons told People that it was “clear we’re in the final chapter” with the pair.
“My grandparents have always been the entertainers,” Josh Carter said, according to People. “But now we’re kind of the ones having to entertain. It’s different, it’s just a different era.”
President Carter is the oldest living president in U.S. history. He and Rosalynn Carter, who wed in 1946, are the longest-ever married presidential couple, WSB reported.
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary NEW YORK - JULY 16, 1974: Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn Carter wave to the delegates at the 1977 Democratic National Convention after Carter was nominated to run for President. (Photo by PL Gould/Images Press/Getty Images) (Images Press/Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary American politician and US Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, celebrate victory in the New Hampshire Democratic Primary election, New Hampshire, February 24, 1976. (Photo by Mikki Ansin/Getty Images) (Mikki Ansin/Getty Images)
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Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary FILE - In this Dec. 13, 1978, file photo, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn lead their guests in dancing at the annual Congressional Christmas Ball at the White House in Washington. Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn celebrate their 75th anniversary this week on Thursday, July 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File) (Ira Schwarz/AP)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary ATLANTA - December 12: Former President Jimmy Carter with Former First Lady Rosalynn join Willie Nelson and perform at The Omni Coliseum in Atlanta Georgia. December 12, 1982 (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary Married couple, former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter pose for photographers during a book signing event, San Francisco, California, 1987. Several members of the Secret Service can be seen behind them. The couple were promoting their book, 'Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life'. (Photo by Bromberger Hoover Photo/Getty Images) (Bromberger Hoover Photography/Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary Atlanta - Circa October 1994; Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter attend Former President Jimmy Carter surprise 70th. birthday party at The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta Georgia October, 1994 (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond)
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Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary Rosalynn Carter and Former President Jimmy Carter during Habitat for Humanity - 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project - Day 2 at Benton Harbor in Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by R. Diamond/WireImage) (R. Diamond/WireImage)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2009, file photo former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn look at a new interactive exhibit at the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta. Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn celebrate their 75th anniversary this week on Thursday, July 7, 2021. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) (John Bazemore/AP)
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Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary American politician and US Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, talk on the telephone after his victory in the Pennsylvania Primary election, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1976. (Photo by Mikki Ansin/Getty Images) (Mikki Ansin/Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary Outgoing US President Jimmy Carter (left) and First Lady Rosalynn Carter (second left) receive President-Elect Ronald Reagan and (future First Lady) Nancy Reagan at the White House, Washington DC, November 20, 1980. Reagan had just defeated Carted in the 1980 Presidential Election. (Photo by Diana Walker/Getty Images) (Diana Walker/Getty Images)
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Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary ATLANTA - February 14: Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter attend Former Governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter's fundraiser for his 1976 Presidential run at Royal Coach Inn Atlanta Georgia February 14, 1976 (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary American politician and US Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter (center, right) and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, smile after his victory in the Pennsylvania Primary election, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1976. (Photo by Mikki Ansin/Getty Images) (Mikki Ansin/Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary Washington, D.C.: Amy Carter with her father Jimmy and mother Rosalynn Carter in a family suite at the Americana Hotel in Washington, D.C. on July 14, 1976. (Photo by Dick Yarwood/Newsday RM via Getty Images) (Newsday LLC/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary Former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter during Habitat for Humanity - 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project - Day 5 at Janette St. & Tecumseh St. West in Windsor, Canada. (Photo by R. Diamond/WireImage) (R. Diamond/WireImage)
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Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary NEWARK, NJ - 1996: MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images Former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter working with Habitat for Humanity restoring homes May 1996 in Newark. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images) (Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter: 75th wedding anniversary In this April 30, 2021, photo released by The White House, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter pose for a photo with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the home of the Carter's in Plains Ga. (Adam Schultz, The White House via AP) (Adam Schultz/AP)