Former President Leaves Legacy of Humanitarian Work and Peace Advocacy
Jimmy Carter, the 100-year-old former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize winner who transformed from a peanut farmer into a global humanitarian, died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by family members, the Carter Center announced Sunday.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” Chip Carter said in a statement released by the foundation.
The passing of America’s longest-lived president marks the end of an era that spanned nearly half of American history. Carter, who served as the nation’s 39th president from 1977 to 1981, ultimately took an even more influential role in his four decades of post-presidential life.
Born in rural Georgia, Carter’s journey to the White House embodied the American dream. Before his presidency, he managed his family’s peanut farm and served as Georgia’s governor. His 1976 presidential campaign, emphasizing honesty and human rights in the wake of Watergate, resonated with voters seeking change.
Challenges and triumphs in office
Carter’s presidency saw both notable achievements and significant challenges. His crowning diplomatic achievement came with the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt. However, his administration faced severe tests, including an energy crisis and the Iran hostage crisis, where 52 Americans were held captive. A failed rescue attempt in 1980 contributed to his defeat by Ronald Reagan in that year’s election.
A transformative post-presidency
After leaving office, Carter embarked on what many consider the most successful post-presidency in American history. He founded the Carter Center in 1982, which is dedicated to advancing human rights and alleviating suffering worldwide. His humanitarian efforts earned him the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.
The former Navy veteran continued teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains well into his 90s, exemplifying his deep Christian faith. His work included mediating international conflicts, monitoring elections globally, and advocating for social justice.
Global impact
World leaders praised Carter’s lasting influence. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi lauded him as “a symbol of humanitarian efforts,” while former U.S. presidents offered tributes. Bill Clinton praised Carter’s tireless work for “a better, fairer world,” and Barack Obama highlighted how Carter “taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service.”
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden stated: “America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.”
Final years
Carter faced significant health challenges in his later years, including a 2015 brain cancer diagnosis that he remarkably overcame. He entered hospice care in February 2023, continuing to defy expectations about his longevity.
The former president experienced profound personal loss when Rosalynn, his wife of 77 years, died in November 2023 at age 96. In a touching moment, Carter attended her memorial service in a wheelchair, covered by a blanket bearing their likenesses.
Carter is survived by his four children, marking the end of a remarkable American life that spanned a century and left an indelible mark on global humanitarian efforts and peace initiatives.
