Happy 75th wedding anniversary to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter

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By VT

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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are celebrating a major milestone today - their 75th wedding anniversary.

What's more, the Carters, who are the longest-married presidential couple in American history, are letting us all in on the secret to their longevity.

Ahead of their big day, the former president, 96, and former first lady, 93, sat down with ABC News as they discussed their enduring love for one another over several decades of marriage.

Mr. Carter told the outlet: "We've survived this long together because first of all, we give each other plenty of space to do our own thing."

They do, however, try to "share as much as we possibly can," he revealed.

"We make a big one-week trip out of that," said the Democrat, who was in office between 1977 and 1980. "We have made that a major part of our recreation."

"We're always looking to do things or find things we can do together, like fly fishing and bird watching and just going out to the pond, catch a fish," Mrs. Carter added.

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The Carters dancing at a White House Congressional Ball, Washington, DC, December 1978. Credit: IanDagnall Computing / Alamy

The loving pair, who have four children and more than a dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also shared their sweet anniversary plans - they're putting on a party in a school in their hometown of Plains, Georgia.

"We've got everything arranged so we can accommodate a big crowd," Mr. Carter said.

The ex-POTUS also discussed his very sentimental anniversary gift to his wife -  a diamond necklace, with the number "75" on the back.

According to the two, Mrs. Carter is already so attached to the necklace that she hasn't taken it off since he gave it to her last month.

"For 75 years of marriage we've always gone deeper in our love for one another," the president said. "I think that's a kind of extraordinary thing. Doesn't happen to very many couples, but it certainly happened to us."

The Carters had known each from a very young age, having both grown up in the rural town of Plains.

In fact, Mrs. Carter was best friends with Jimmy Carter's younger sister, Ruth.

Eventually, the pair began dating - and just half a year after their first date, he proposed. Mrs. Carter initially said no, but her now-husband was "persistent", she admits.

And the rest, as they say, is history!

Featured image credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy