Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States of America and the nation’s longest-living former commander-in-chief, died peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2024. He passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100.
A Life of Service
The Carter Center announced his passing, stating that family members surrounded the former president. Carter had received hospice care since February 2023, following several short hospital stays.
Carter’s journey from peanut farmer to America’s president and global humanitarian left an indelible mark on American history. His presidency, from 1977 to 1981, focused on creating a “competent and compassionate” U.S. government.
Born on October 1, 1924, in rural Georgia, Carter dedicated his life to public service. He served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear physicist before entering politics. His political career began with the Sumter County Board of Education.
Presidential Challenges and Achievements
Carter faced a challenging single term as America’s president. He grappled with economic difficulties and the Iran hostage crisis. Despite these obstacles, he achieved significant diplomatic successes. His crowning achievement was brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, where America played a major role.
Post-Presidency Humanitarian Work
After leaving office, Carter embarked on what many consider his most impactful work. He and his wife Rosalynn founded The Carter Center in 1982. This non-governmental organization dedicates itself to advancing human rights and alleviating suffering worldwide.
His post-presidency efforts earned him the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. The committee recognized his “decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development”.
Carter’s humanitarian work included conflict negotiation, election monitoring, and disease eradication efforts. He and Rosalynn also volunteered extensively for Habitat for Humanity. They helped build and restore homes for those in need.
Faith and Resilience
Throughout his life, Carter remained committed to his faith. He regularly taught Sunday school at his local Baptist church until 2020. His classes often attracted hundreds of attendees from around the world.
In his later years, Carter faced health challenges with remarkable resilience. In 2015, doctors diagnosed him with cancer that had spread to his brain. Remarkably, just four months later, he declared himself cancer-free.
A Legacy of Engagement
Carter’s longevity stood out not just in years but in his continued engagement with public life. He and Rosalynn attended every presidential inauguration from 1977 until 2021. In a touching gesture, Carter cast a mail ballot for the 2024 election just weeks after his 100th birthday.
The former America’s president’s passing comes shortly after the death of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter. She died in November 2023 at the age of 96. Despite his own frailty, Carter traveled to Atlanta to attend her memorial service.
Family and Tributes
Carter leaves behind four children – Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy – and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family has requested privacy during this time of mourning.
Tributes have poured in from around the world. Many have lauded Carter’s lifelong dedication to peace, human rights, and public service. President Biden, who had a long-standing friendship with Carter, expressed his condolences. He praised Carter’s unwavering commitment to serving others.
A Lasting Impact
As America mourns the loss of its oldest living president, Carter’s legacy as a humanitarian and advocate for peace will endure. His life serves as a reminder of the impact one individual can have on the world stage, both during and after holding the highest office in the land.
The Carter Center will hold observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., to honor the former president’s life and legacy. They will announce details of these events soon.
Jimmy Carter’s extraordinary life journey, from Georgia’s peanut fields to the White House and beyond, leaves an inspiring legacy. In his own words: “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends and experienced an exciting, adventurous, and fulfilling existence”. Indeed, Jimmy Carter’s journey was nothing short of remarkable, and his impact will resonate for generations to come.
