Connect with us

Uncategorized

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter share the secret to married life on their 75th wedding anniversary

Published

on

Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter are celebrating a milestone that very few ever reach: their 75th wedding anniversary.

The longest living married couple in the United States have been married for 85 years, and currently the Carters hold the title for the longest-married presidential couple at 75 years.

Previously, former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush held that title. When Barbara died in April 2018, the Bushes had been married for 73 years and 111 days.

The Carters married on July 7, 1946 in their hometown of Plains, Georgia where the two nonagenarians still live.

And that’s where they’ll celebrate their milestone anniversary. The couple will be the center of attention when guests come to gather in Plains to toast to the Carters.

“We have too many people invited,” Rosalynn said. “I’m actually praying for some turndowns and regrets.”

The couple’s story begins in Plains, Georgia when Jimmy was just three years old.

His mother had taken him to see their neighbor’s new baby, Rosalynn. Little did anyone know that the two would get married.

As Rosalynn got older and became friends with the neighborhood kids, she became friendly with Ruth Carter, Jimmy’s sister.

She remembered Ruth kept a photo of her brother on her bedroom wall, and Rosalynn “fell in love with that picture.”

“Mother always said I married him because of his uniform,” she said.

Jimmy, 96, first met Rosalynn, 93, when he was home on break from the Naval Academy.

He felt they were a match and asked her out on a date.

“She was beautiful and innocent, and there was a resonance,” he told People.

Although there was some initial pushback from Rosalynn – she continued to date while attending college – the two eventually wed one month after she graduated.

She reportedly promised her father while he was on his deathbed that she wouldn’t marry before she finished school, and she made sure to keep her promise.

The couple tied the knot on July 7, 1946. He was 21 years old and she was 18 years old.

The beginning of their marriage found them moving around the country as Jimmy was assigned deployments in either the Atlantic or Pacific fleets. And while one may think the spouse of someone in the United States Navy may not like the constant moving, Rosalynn didn’t mind at all.

“I had been self-sufficient and independent from my mother and Jimmy’s mother,” she told The New York Times.

So when Jimmy told her he was giving up his career in the Navy so they could grow their family in Plains, Georgia, she was annoyed.

It was a move – making tough family decisions – Jimmy said he regretted.

But their disagreements never lasted long.

In 2012, Jimmy joked that the couple’s worst decision they ever made was when they wrote a book together.

“It’s the worst problem we’ve ever had since we’ve been married,” Jimmy joked to Piers Morgan.

Anyone would find it difficult to make to 75 years of marriage, not just because of the stresses of every day life, but not everyone is fortunate to live long enough to celebrate such a milestone.

But the Carters have been by each others’ side through it all.

Rosalynn was there throughout Jimmy’s presidency where she became his closest adviser. After the they left the White House and the couple returned to the home they built in Plains, Georgia, it was Rosalynn who managed the family peanut business.

You may also like…

Oregon20 hours ago

Governor Kotek says “President Trump is playing politics with something that should never be political” after Oregon rejects changes to childhood vaccine schedule

Oregon – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek criticized President Donald Trump’s latest actions on childhood vaccines, saying vaccine policy should be...

Oregon20 hours ago

Oregon Sen. Merkley urges Congress to pass bill he introduced “to make sure that NO president can abuse their office to profit off the presidency”

Oregon – Jeff Merkley said the need to prevent presidents from profiting from cryptocurrency has become increasingly urgent as he...

Eugene20 hours ago

Pre’s Trail section to close as culvert replacement project begins near Science Center

Eugene, OR – A portion of Pre’s Trail near the Science Center in Eugene was scheduled to close as crews...

Eugene21 hours ago

ESF crews battle mobile home fire threatening neighboring home in North Eugene, contain blaze to one home

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a mobile home fire at the Filbert Grove Mobile Home Park in...

Eugene21 hours ago

House fire near downtown Eugene leaves vacant home heavily damaged, no injuries reported

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a house fire near downtown Eugene early Sunday morning, with firefighters finding...

Eugene21 hours ago

Skinner Butte fire extinguished after crews stopped forward progress in Eugene

Eugene, OR – A fire on Skinner Butte in Eugene was extinguished after firefighters stopped its forward progress, according to...

Oregon5 days ago

Oregon Sen. Merkley says “Trump is tightening his authoritarian grip” as he pushes sweeping legislation to fight back, claims it’s aimed at restoring checks and balances

Portland, OREGON – “Trump is tightening his authoritarian grip. We can’t let him,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said Aug. 12...

Oregon5 days ago

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says “President Trump cannot just erase a constitutional right with the stroke of a pen” after he renews effort to restrict birthright citizenship

Portland, OREGON – “The Supreme Court has ruled on this, and yet he persists,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said earlier...

Eugene5 days ago

ESF crews provide lifesaving blood to critical patient after serious crash on Territorial Hwy

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a serious crash on Territorial Highway near Lawrence Road and provided...

Eugene5 days ago

ESF crews contain 16-acre vegetation fire after flames advance toward neighborhood

Eugene, OR – A fast-moving vegetation fire near Jasper Road and Mt. Vernon Road in Springfield, Oregon, grew to approximately...

Eugene5 days ago

48-year-old woman found passed out behind wheel after crashing into pickup, Eugene police say she had alcohol in hand and had a .28% BAC

Eugene, OR – A 48-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday morning after police said she passed out behind the wheel and...

Trending