Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has passed away at the age of 100, as confirmed by the center he established. Carter, a former peanut farmer, lived longer than any other U.S. president in history and marked his 100th birthday in October.
The Carter Center, known for its efforts in promoting democracy and human rights worldwide, announced that he died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981, a challenging period marked by economic struggles and diplomatic tensions. Although he left office with low approval ratings, his legacy was significantly improved through his extensive humanitarian work, which eventually earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
In a statement, Jimmy Carter’s son, Chip Carter, described his father as a hero, not only to him but to everyone who values peace, human rights, and selfless love. He added that Carter brought people together, making the world feel like one big family, and expressed gratitude for those who continue to honor his father’s legacy by living according to those shared principles.
Carter, who had a varied career as Georgia’s governor, a U.S. Navy lieutenant, and a farmer before becoming president, is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, passed away in November 2023.
Since the death of George H.W. Bush in 2018, Carter had held the title of the oldest living U.S. president.
Jimmy Carter stopped receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness last year and began hospice care at his home.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed their sorrow, stating that the world had lost “an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.” They remembered Carter as “a dear friend” who was a man of “principle, faith, and humility,” adding that he showed the world that America is a great nation because of its goodness—decent, honorable, courageous, compassionate, humble, and strong.
President-elect Donald Trump also paid tribute to Carter, noting that the challenges he faced during his presidency came at a crucial time in the country’s history. Trump emphasized that Carter did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans, adding that the nation owes him a debt of gratitude.
Carter’s presidency is often remembered for the economic struggles and foreign policy crises he faced, including the Iran hostage crisis, which resulted in the deaths of eight Americans. However, one of his most significant accomplishments was brokering the Camp David Accords in 1978, which led to a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.
Two years after his presidency, Jimmy Carter’s legacy seemed distant, as voters overwhelmingly chose Republican Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. Reagan portrayed Carter as a weak leader unable to manage inflation and high interest rates. Carter lost the election by a landslide, securing only six states plus Washington, D.C.
Following this crushing defeat, many Republicans used Carter’s presidency as an example of liberal failure, while some members of his own party distanced themselves from him, viewing his time in office as proof that their approach to Democratic politics was superior.
Despite criticism, Carter’s humanitarian work and modest lifestyle began to reshape his legacy over time. After leaving the White House, he became the first president to return to the home he lived in before his political career—a simple, two-bedroom ranch house. Unlike most former presidents who pursued lucrative speaking engagements and book deals, Carter chose not to seek wealth, stating in a 2018 Washington Post interview that he never desired to be rich.
Instead, he dedicated his post-presidential years to addressing global issues such as inequality and disease. He also co-founded The Elders, a group of global leaders committed to peace and human rights, alongside Nelson Mandela. In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming only the third U.S. president to do so. In his acceptance speech, he emphasized the urgent problem of the growing gap between the world’s richest and poorest people.
In statements following his death, former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary praised Carter for his tireless work toward a better and fairer world, highlighting his humanitarian, environmental, and diplomatic efforts. Former President Barack Obama honored Carter’s “decency” and noted that he taught others what it means to live a life of “grace, dignity, justice, and service.” Republican former President George W. Bush commended Carter for dignifying the office of the presidency and continuing his efforts to improve the world after his time in office.
President Biden announced that a state funeral would be held for Carter in Washington, D.C.
