Rosalynn Carter active at 80

ATLANTA, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Former U.S. first lady Rosalynn Carter is about to celebrate her 80th birthday but says she does not feel old.

"I want to stay home more, but there are so many important things to do," Carter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Every year we say we got to cut back, but I still don't want to miss anything.”

Carter, who turns 80 Saturday, remains active at the Carter Center, which she founded in 1982 with her husband, former President Jimmy Carter. She also keeps an eye on her large family and maintains an active life that includes daily workouts, skiing and traveling.

She also handles finances for her husband.

"I have been blessed. I have a great marriage, a great family. I have been the first lady of Georgia, the first lady of the United States," she said. "Having been first lady has also given me the opportunity, after we left the White House, to have some influence."

Like her husband, Carter grew up in Plains, Ga. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year.