The 39th president of the United States, who became a beacon of peace and human rights advocacy after his presidency, leaves behind a legacy of service and compassion.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has died at the age of 100. The Carter Center confirmed his passing on Sunday, marking the end of a remarkable life dedicated to public service, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter rose from humble beginnings as a peanut farmer to become a U.S. Navy officer, governor of Georgia, and ultimately, the leader of the free world. He served as president from 1977 to 1981, a tenure marked by significant achievements and challenges.
A devout Christian and an outsider to Washington politics, Carter campaigned as a man of integrity in the wake of the Watergate scandal. His presidency saw milestones such as the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Egypt and Israel, and the Panama Canal Treaty. However, economic struggles, the Iran hostage crisis, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan marred his time in office, leading to his defeat by Ronald Reagan in 1980.
A Legacy Beyond the White House
While his presidency was often viewed with mixed reviews, Carter’s post-presidential years redefined his legacy. Through the Atlanta-based Carter Center, which he founded with his wife Rosalynn in the 1980s, he became a global advocate for human rights, democracy, and public health. His efforts contributed to the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease, with cases plummeting from millions in the 1980s to fewer than a dozen in recent years.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 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.” He was also a staunch advocate for affordable housing, working with Habitat for Humanity for decades.
Personal Life and Final Years
Carter married his lifelong partner, Rosalynn, in 1946. The couple had four children and numerous grandchildren, and their 77-year marriage was celebrated as one of the longest in U.S. presidential history. Rosalynn Carter passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96, just weeks before Jimmy Carter’s centennial birthday.
In February 2023, Carter entered hospice care, opting to spend his final days at home in Plains surrounded by loved ones. Despite health challenges, he continued to inspire, with family members recalling his humor and quiet strength in his last months.
A Leader for the Ages
Carter’s legacy as the longest-lived U.S. president is complemented by his enduring impact on the world. From his moral leadership during the Cold War to his tireless work fighting disease and promoting peace, Carter leaves a world profoundly changed by his presence.
Jimmy Carter will be laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his journey began and where he returned to live a life of simplicity, humility, and service after leaving the White House.
