Ex-US President Jimmy Carter attends wife's memorial
Jimmy Carter, the 99-year-old former US President who entered hospice care in February, appeared in public for the first time on Tuesday, appearing weak as he attended a memorial ceremony in Atlanta for his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died on november 19. He entered the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in a wheelchair, dressed in a black suit and tie, and was assisted to the first row beside his wife's flowered-covered casket, where he sat flanked by his children.
A blue-and-white blanket was folded over his lap, embroidered with a smiling photograph of his wife. They had been married for 77 years. Rosalynn Carter had an important part in his administration from 1977 to 1981, as well as in his humanitarian efforts after the couple left the White House. She died at the age of 96.
During the ceremony, jimmy Carter did not address the mourners. After paying respect to Rosalynn Carter, his son james Earl "Chip" Carter III kissed him on the cheek, calling her "the glue" that held the family together. The former President has battled a number of health challenges, including cancer, and nine months ago opted to discontinue medical assistance and accept hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia. His wife, who had been diagnosed with dementia, had just recently joined him in hospice care.
The Carters were the longest-married presidential couple in US history, marrying in 1946 when he was 21 and she was 18. During the ceremony, Amy Carter read from a letter jimmy Carter sent to Rosalynn while he was in the Navy. "My darling, every time I've ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are," he said in the letter. "When I see you, I fall in love all over again."
The Carters last appeared together in public in September, when they visited the Plains Peanut festival in their rural birthplace, both dressed in attire with the insignia of Habitat for Humanity, the non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering affordable housing that the couple has long supported.
A blue-and-white blanket was folded over his lap, embroidered with a smiling photograph of his wife. They had been married for 77 years. Rosalynn Carter had an important part in his administration from 1977 to 1981, as well as in his humanitarian efforts after the couple left the White House. She died at the age of 96.
During the ceremony, jimmy Carter did not address the mourners. After paying respect to Rosalynn Carter, his son james Earl "Chip" Carter III kissed him on the cheek, calling her "the glue" that held the family together. The former President has battled a number of health challenges, including cancer, and nine months ago opted to discontinue medical assistance and accept hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia. His wife, who had been diagnosed with dementia, had just recently joined him in hospice care.
The Carters were the longest-married presidential couple in US history, marrying in 1946 when he was 21 and she was 18. During the ceremony, Amy Carter read from a letter jimmy Carter sent to Rosalynn while he was in the Navy. "My darling, every time I've ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are," he said in the letter. "When I see you, I fall in love all over again."
The Carters last appeared together in public in September, when they visited the Plains Peanut festival in their rural birthplace, both dressed in attire with the insignia of Habitat for Humanity, the non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering affordable housing that the couple has long supported.