Rosalynn Carter

Rosalynn Carter (1927-) was an American first lady and the wife of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States. Carter spent the early years of her marriage moving often with her husband during his naval career, before returning to Georgia to run his family's business. As Jimmy Carter began his political career, she quickly became one of his biggest assets, traveling widely to deliver speeches on his behalf. As first lady, Rosalynn was her husband's most trusted advisor and was deeply involved in his presidency, even sitting in on Cabinet meetings on occasion. Devoted to the cause of mental health, she chaired a national commission to support scientific research and testified before Congress on the issue. Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter left the White House following his 1980 electoral defeat, but both remained committed to public service, promoting projects such as the non-profit Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.

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As the Iran Hostage Crisis intensified, President Jimmy Carter spent most of his time in Washington, D.C., managing the situation. With the 1980 election approaching, it was his wife, Rosalynn, who took on many of his campaign responsibilities, delivering speeches, visiting key electoral states and even registering her husband's official candidacy in the New Hampshire primary.

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