Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter were married for a remarkable 77 years before Rosalynn died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96 . They are the longest-married couple in American presidential history.

News of Rosalynns death came just several days after the former first lady had entered hospice care at the couples home in Plains, Georgia, where Jimmy has also been on hospice since February. In May, The Carter Center, a humanitarian organization the couple founded together, announced that Rosalynn had been diagnosed with dementia .

Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished, the former president, 99, said in a recent statement . 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.