Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

He is survived by his four children, John William "Jack" Carter, James E. "Chip" Carter III, Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter and Amy Carter, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

 He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023, were married for 77 years. They were the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history.

From Peanut Farmer to the Presidency

Born on October 1, 1924, Carter rose from humble beginnings as a peanut farmer to hold the highest office in the nation from 1977 to 1981.

 His presidency occurred during a tumultuous era marked by soaring inflation, gasoline shortages, and the Iranian hostage crisis.

While his time in office was fraught with challenges, Carter achieved significant milestones, including brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, establishing formal diplomatic relations with China, and expanding public lands in Alaska.

Despite his achievements, Carter’s presidency was overshadowed by economic struggles and his inability to secure the release of American hostages in Iran, which contributed to his loss in the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan.

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A Life of Service Beyond the White House
After leaving the presidency, Carter embarked on a remarkable second act, dedicating his life to humanitarian efforts.

 He became an observer of elections in developing countries, built homes through Habitat for Humanity, and continued teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. His work earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, cementing his reputation as a global humanitarian.

Carter remained active even as he faced health challenges in his later years, including brain cancer in 2015 and multiple surgeries in 2019. Through it all, he exemplified resilience and commitment to service.

Honored by Loved Ones

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son.

“The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

“He’s never going to be ranked as a great president; he’s middling as a president,” said historian Douglas Brinkley, author of a 1998 book on Carter, "The Unfinished Presidency."

 “But as an American figure, he’s a giant.”

The Longest-Living Former President
Carter’s post-presidential years made him a durable and revered figure in modern American politics.

In 2019, he became the nation’s oldest living former president, surpassing George H. W. Bush by 5 more years.

He and his wife, Rosalynn built a legacy of love, service, and commitment to their community.

Jimmy Carter’s life reminds us of the enduring power of compassion, resilience, and dedication to a cause greater than oneself.