Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, aged 100.
Carter’s son, Chip Carter, confirmed his father’s passing, stating that he died peacefully at about 3:45 p.m. Carter had entered home hospice care in February 2023 following a series of hospital stays.
Carter, the only Georgian to serve as president, was elected in 1976 and served one term in office.
His presidency was marked by significant achievements, including the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt. However, his time in the White House was overshadowed by challenges such as the Iran hostage crisis.
Despite a single-term presidency, Carter’s legacy expanded in the following decades, largely through his humanitarian efforts and establishing the Carter Center in Atlanta.
He and his wife Rosalynn became synonymous with philanthropy, particularly through their hands-on work with Habitat for Humanity.
James Earl Carter Jr. was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, the first of four children. His father, Earl Carter, was a farmer and businessman, and his mother, Lillian Gordy Carter, worked as a nurse.
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Carter joined the Navy’s elite nuclear submarine program, led by Admiral Hyman Rickover.
His promising naval career took a dramatic turn in 1953 when his father passed away, prompting him to return to Georgia to take over the family farm. It was during this period that Carter began his political career, first serving on the local school board and later as a state senator.
Carter became governor of Georgia in 1970, gaining national attention for his progressive views on civil rights. In 1976, he launched a successful campaign for the presidency, defeating incumbent Republican Gerald Ford.
On his inauguration day, Carter made headlines by walking down Pennsylvania Avenue with his family, breaking the tradition of travelling in a motorcade. His time in office focused on restoring trust in government post-Watergate, championing human rights, and expanding environmental protections.
Carter’s reputation grew over time, with historians and biographers like Douglas Brinkley praising his post-presidency contributions.
“People will be celebrating Jimmy Carter for hundreds of years. His reputation is only going to grow,” Brinkley wrote in The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter.
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