Jimmy Carter, the 100-year-old former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, passed away peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by family, his nonprofit organization, The Carter Center, announced Sunday.
Carter, who served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981, had been in hospice care since February 2023. Born and raised in the small town of Plains, Carter rose from managing a peanut farm to becoming Georgia’s governor before his ascension to the presidency.
“My father was a hero, not just to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and selfless love,” his son Chip Carter said in a statement.
Carter was the longest-lived U.S. president, surviving brain cancer diagnosed in 2015 and leaving behind a remarkable legacy of humanitarian work that reshaped his post-presidential reputation.
During his presidency, Carter prioritized human rights and social justice, achieving notable successes like brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. However, his administration faced significant challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis and an oil shortage, which marred his re-election bid. In 1980, he lost to Ronald Reagan, whose conservative wave swept him out of office after one term.
Carter’s later years brought a reassessment of his contributions, particularly through his work with The Carter Center, which he founded in 1982. The organization focused on global diplomacy, election monitoring, and eradicating diseases, earning Carter the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. He mediated international conflicts, tackled issues from North Korea to Bosnia, and remained a steadfast advocate for justice and human rights.
A devout Christian, Carter taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains well into his 90s. Known for his trademark smile, he credited his faith for guiding his presidency and post-presidential work.
Despite various health challenges in his later years, including hospitalizations and cancer treatments, Carter remained active. In April 2021, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the Carters in Plains, marking one of his last public appearances.
Carter’s wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96. The former president, frail but resolute, attended her memorial service in a wheelchair, wrapped in a blanket bearing their likenesses.
Carter is survived by his four children—three sons and a daughter—along with a legacy of peace, faith, and compassion that will endure for generations.
