Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died Sunday at the age of 100. The Carter Center announced he passed away in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981, but he became more renowned for his post-presidential life. He was a staunch advocate for peace, democracy, and international human rights.
James “Jimmy” Earl Carter Jr. was born in Plains, Georgia, on October 1, 1924, and grew up on a farm nearby. His father was a peanut farmer, and his mother, “Miss Lillian,” was a nurse. He was notably the first U.S. president born in a hospital.
“Other than Jimmy Carter, no person from the Deep South since the American Civil War had been elected president,” said Steven Hochman, a longtime assistant to Carter at the Carter Center.
Growing up on the farm, Carter learned the values of hard work and perseverance. He later qualified for the U.S. Naval Academy and became an engineer specializing in submarines. In 1953, he resigned from the Navy after his father passed away.
Back in Plains, Carter entered politics, becoming a Georgia state senator and later the first Georgia governor to openly oppose racial discrimination. When Carter began his presidential campaign in 1974, he was relatively unknown nationally, earning the nickname “Jimmy Who?” His grassroots efforts and support from the “Peanut Brigade,” friends and family from Georgia, helped him gain recognition.
During his campaign, Carter promised, “I’ll never tell a lie. I’ll never make a misleading statement. I’ll never betray the trust of those who have confidence in me, and I will never avoid a controversial issue.” He took office during a period of national disillusionment after the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.. On his inauguration day, Carter walked to the White House instead of riding in a limousine to symbolize his connection with the American people.
Carter achieved significant milestones during his presidency, including brokering the Camp David Accords, which established peace agreements between Israel and Egypt, and signing the Panama Canal treaties to transfer control of the canal to Panama. He also advanced the SALT II nuclear arms reduction agreement. However, he faced domestic challenges such as an energy crisis, rising inflation, and the Iran hostage crisis, during which militants held Americans captive for over a year.
After leaving office, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian causes. In 1982, he and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, focusing on democracy promotion, election monitoring, disease eradication, and housing initiatives with Habitat for Humanity. He also became a prolific author, publishing over 20 books.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace and resolve international conflicts. He continued to advocate for justice and peace, meeting with leaders from contentious regions and addressing global issues. His controversial book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid reflected his willingness to take bold stances on sensitive topics.
Carter entered hospice care in February 2023 after facing numerous health challenges, including cancer and a series of injuries. He and Rosalynn celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary that year, just months before she passed away at the age of 96.
Jimmy Carter’s legacy as a champion of human rights and peace remains unparalleled, both during and after his presidency. He will be buried next to Rosalynn in Plains, Georgia, per his wishes.
