Jimmy Carter, Former US President, Dies at 100

The 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter,  has died at the age of 100. He passed away peacefully on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from the Carter Center.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said his son, Chip Carter, in a heartfelt tribute.

Carter, a Democrat who served as president from 1977 to 1981, was the longest-living U.S. president, outlasting his peers and defying expectations after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015. His post-presidency, marked by humanitarian work and advocacy, redefined what it meant to be a former head of state.

Born on October 1, 1924, in the small town of Plains, Georgia, Carter grew up on his family’s peanut farm. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he returned to Georgia and entered politics, eventually serving as the state’s governor before winning the presidency in 1976.

As president, Carter championed human rights and brokered the historic Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt that remains a landmark achievement in Middle Eastern diplomacy.Despite his early successes, Carter’s presidency faced significant hurdles. His administration grappled with an energy crisis, soaring inflation, and the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, during which 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days. A failed military rescue operation in 1980 further damaged his political standing.

These challenges contributed to Carter’s defeat in the 1980 presidential election by Ronald Reagan, who ushered in a new era of conservative politics.Carter’s loss at the polls did not diminish his drive to serve. He devoted his post-presidency to humanitarian efforts, founding the Carter Center in 1982. Through the center, he focused on global health, eradicating diseases, monitoring elections, and promoting peace in conflict zones.

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His efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, recognizing his work to advance human rights and alleviate suffering worldwide.Even in his later years, Carter remained active. He was a familiar figure at Habitat for Humanity builds, hammer in hand, and taught Sunday school at his local church in Plains. His humility and faith were central to his life and work, earning him admiration across political and cultural divides.

Carter entered hospice care in February 2023, choosing to spend his final days at home. His death marks the end of a life dedicated to public service, peace, and compassion.

Funeral arrangements are expected to include services in Plains and at the Carter Center in Atlanta, where his legacy of selfless service will be honored by leaders and citizens alike.