by Sharon Rondeau
(Dec. 29, 2024) — United States 39th President James Earl Carter, Jr. died Sunday at age 100, The Carter Center announced. He was the nation’s oldest surviving chief executive and suffered from cancer during the last two years of his life.
In February of last year, the former president said he would forego further medical treatment to receive hospice at home.
His wife Rosalynn predeceased him in November 2023 at age 96.
Carter grew up on a peanut farm in Plains, GA which he later ran following his father’s death in 1953.
He served approximately six years in the Navy after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, the same year he and Rosalynn married.
Prior to his presidency (1977-1981), Carter was a two-term Georgia state senator (1963-67) and governor (1971-1975). According to his Biography.com page, he “earned a reputation as a tough and independent politician, curbing wasteful spending and steadfastly supporting civil rights.”
As a self-proclaimed “outsider,” in 1976 Carter sought and won the Democrat presidential nomination and went on to win the general election against Gerald Ford in November.
His presidency faced an energy crisis amid unemployment and rising inflation as well as the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979. At his State of the Union address the following month, Carter unveiled what he dubbed “the Carter doctrine” in which he said the U.S. would defend its interests in the Persian Gulf to include, if necessary, the use of “military force.”
Carter’s 1978 Camp David Accords between then-Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat paved the way for a peace treaty and the normalization of relations between the historic adversaries.
His White House term was also marked by an increasingly adversarial relationship with the press.
Carter is noted for the humanitarian work he carried out after he left the White House, including Habitat for Humanity beginning in 1984. The organization is now active in more than 70 nations around the world.
In response to Carter’s passing, Joe Biden issued an official statement, which reads:
Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.
Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.
With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.
He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.
We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts.
To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy.
And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.
To honor a great American, I will be ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country.
President-Elect Donald Trump’s statement came in two posts in which he wrote:
I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History.
The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.
Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.
President Jimmy Carter is dead at 100 years of age. While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for. He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office. Warmest condolences from Melania and I to his wonderful family!