BREAKING: Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passes away aged 96

On Sunday, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passed away at her home in Plains, Georgia after being diagnosed with dementia six months ago, and two days after entering hospice care. She was 96 years old. 

According to a press release from the Carter Center, Carter "died peacefully, with family by her side." 

Rosalynn was married to former President Jimmy Carter for 77 years. He said in a statement, "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished." 

"She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me," the 39th president added. 

"Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right," Rosalynn's son, Chip said in a statement. "Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today."
 

The Carters occupied the White House from 1977 to 1981 where Rosalynn focused much of her attention on ways to aid mental health, the community, and the elderly. She played a very active role in Jimmy's administration to the extent that she attended Cabinet meetings and other major briefings. 

Upon leaving the White House, the couple returned to Georgia and co-founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, where she continued her work to destigmatize mental illness and promote more access to care. 

She Founded the Rasalynn Carter Insitute for Caregivers (RCI) in 1987, in an effort to help those who selflessly give their time to take care of others. On its website, the RCI describes Rasalynn as having a "commitment to creating a more caring society by recognizing and supporting some of the most vulnerable populations. She was dedicated to families navigating the burdens and rewards of caring for loved ones with chronic illness and disabilities."

The announcement of the former first lady's death comes nine months after it was announced that former President Jimmy Carter was entering into home hospice care. 

This is a breaking story and will be updated.