Former President Jimmy Carter has passed away at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States, Carter was a Georgia peanut farmer who aimed to restore trust in government during his presidency, which began in 1977. Known for his tireless humanitarian efforts, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died at his home in Plains, Georgia, more than a year after entering hospice care.
Carter, who was inaugurated as president at the age of 52 on January 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election, left office on January 20, 1981, following his loss to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 general election.
The news of Carter’s passing was confirmed by The Carter Center, stating, “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” on the social media platform X. The statement noted that Carter passed peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home in Plains, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, resided. Rosalynn Carter passed away at the age of 96 in November 2023.
A native of the South and a man of faith, Carter described himself in his 1975 book “Why Not The Best” as, “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.”
As a moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a relatively unknown Georgia governor, characterized by his broad smile, outspoken Baptist beliefs, and technocratic approach shaped by his engineering background. Following his presidency, Carter returned to Plains and taught Sunday School classes at Maranatha Baptist Church until his health began to decline, drawing visitors from across the globe.
Former Vice President Al Gore paid tribute to Carter, praising him for leading “a life full of purpose, commitment, and kindness” and serving as a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Despite his defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1981, Carter focused on conflict resolution, democracy promotion, and disease prevention in developing nations. Gore, who also won a Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledged Carter’s enduring contributions to global peace and justice.
Reflecting on his interactions with Carter, Gore expressed gratitude for their friendship and collaborative efforts, highlighting Carter’s dedication to building a fairer and more peaceful world. Gore, a prominent advocate for climate action, emphasized the lasting impact of Carter’s leadership beyond his presidency, underscoring the former president’s legacy of service and advocacy for positive change.
The passing of Jimmy Carter marks the end of an era for American politics and humanitarianism. His commitment to public service, diplomacy, and humanitarian.
