Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, as confirmed by The Carter Center. Carter, known as the longest-living American president, died on December 29 after more than a year in home hospice care in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Born in 1924, just before Calvin Coolidge’s election, Carter had expressed a desire to live long enough to vote in the 2024 presidential election, and he achieved this milestone.
His passing follows the recent death of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November. Despite his frail health, Carter attended her funeral in Atlanta. Jason Carter, his grandson, revealed that the former president was motivated to live to vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
Carter’s legacy has grown significantly since his presidency, which was marred by economic troubles and the Iran hostage crisis. His post-presidential work, especially through the Carter Center, focused on promoting diplomacy, human rights, and democracy globally, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He was also known for his extensive volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity.
Jimmy Carter, initially a little-known Georgian governor, won the Democratic nomination in 1976 and capitalized on public disillusionment with Washington’s scandals, such as Watergate, to narrowly defeat Gerald Ford. Despite some achievements, his presidency faced challenges like high inflation and an energy crisis. The failed 1980 hostage rescue operation significantly damaged his presidency, leading to a resounding defeat by Ronald Reagan.
Throughout his later years, Carter and Rosalynn remained active with the Carter Center and other charitable endeavors. They slowed down only recently due to age and the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrating Carter’s last birthday in Plains, surrounded by loved ones.
