Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. Known for redefining the role of a former president, Carter had entered home hospice care in Plains, Georgia, in February 2023. As the only Georgian to be elected President of the United States, Carter’s single term was marked by significant achievements such as the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, though his presidency was also challenged by the Iran hostage crisis.
Carter’s post-presidency years were marked by his influential work at the Carter Center in Atlanta, which he and his wife Rosalynn established. Their efforts in diplomacy and philanthropy, including working with Habitat for Humanity, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Historian Douglas Brinkley noted that Carter’s legacy would be celebrated for centuries, with his reputation continuing to grow over time.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, James Earl Carter Jr. was the eldest of four children. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, he served in the Navy’s submarine fleet. Following his father’s death, Carter returned to Georgia in 1953 to manage the family farm and launched his political career by serving on the school board, then as a state senator, and eventually as governor in 1970. In 1976, he won the presidency by defeating Republican Gerald Ford.
Carter’s presidency focused on human rights, environmental conservation, and restoring trust in the U.S. government post-Watergate. However, challenges such as the Iranian hostage crisis and economic difficulties contributed to his electoral defeat in 1980 to Ronald Reagan.
After his presidency, Carter returned to Plains and became an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Along with Rosalynn, he founded the Carter Center, which dedicated itself to global peace, health, and democracy initiatives. For their humanitarian efforts, both Jimmy and Rosalynn received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton.
Rosalynn Carter, his wife of 77 years, passed away in November 2023. They are survived by their children Amy, Chip, Jack, and Jeff, as well as 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
