Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivers a lecture on the eradication of the Guinea worm, at the House of Lords in London, Britain February 3, 2016.
The earnest Georgia peanut farmer who served as the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday at the age of 100.
In recent years, Carter faced significant health challenges, including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. He opted for hospice care in February 2023, choosing not to undergo further medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on November 19, 2023, at 96, and the couple’s enduring love story was a testament to their commitment to one another and their shared values.
The Carter Center announced that public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains. Final arrangements for the former president’s state funeral are still pending.
After leaving office, Carter transformed his post-presidential years into a period of vigorous humanitarian work, earning global respect that often contrasted with his presidency. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
Carter served as president from January 1977 to January 1981, following his victory over incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. His presidency was characterized by significant achievements, including the historic Camp David Accords of 1978, which established peace between Israel and Egypt. This landmark agreement remains a focal point of Carter’s legacy, emphasizing his commitment to peace in the Middle East.
Nevertheless, Carter’s time in office was marred by economic recession, soaring inflation, and the Iran hostage crisis, which lasted 444 days and significantly impacted his popularity. He faced a landslide defeat in the 1980 election against Republican Ronald Reagan, concluding his term with a low approval rating.
Carter’s foreign policy was marked by his focus on the Middle East, culminating in the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty that established diplomatic relations and led to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula.
James Earl Carter Jr. was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and later managed the family peanut farming business. Carter’s marriage to Rosalynn in 1946 was a cornerstone of his life, and together they raised four children.
