Former US President, Jimmy Carter Dies At Age Of 100

Jimmy Carter, the former United States president and humanitarian, has died at the age of 100, according to the Carter Center, which he founded.

The former peanut farmer, who holds the record as the longest-living U.S. president, celebrated his 100th birthday in October 2024.

It was gathered that Jimmy Carter died on Sunday afternoon, December 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia.

Carter, a Democrat, served as president from 1977 to 1981, a time marked by economic challenges and foreign policy struggles. Despite leaving office with low approval ratings, he rebuilt his reputation through decades of humanitarian efforts, earning a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Chip Carter, one of his four children, described his father as a hero and a symbol of peace and human rights.

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

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

Before his presidency, Jimmy Carter was a Georgia governor, a U.S. Navy lieutenant, and a farmer.

He is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, passed away in November 2023.

Carter, who became the oldest surviving U.S. president after George H.W. Bush’s death in 2018, stopped receiving medical treatment last year and opted for hospice care.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden praised Carter’s lifetime of service, saying the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”.

They described him as “a dear friend” and “a man of principle, faith and humility”, adding that, “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”

The president-elect, Donald Trump also acknowledged Carter’s presidency, highlighting his efforts to confront the challenges of his time and expressing gratitude for his contributions.

“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,” Trump wrote on social media.

Bill and Hillary Clinton lauded Carter’s dedication to a fairer world, Barack Obama praised his grace and service, and George W. Bush noted how Carter’s commitment to making a difference endured well beyond his presidency.

Carter’s presidency was defined by difficult economic conditions and foreign policy challenges, such as the Iran hostage crisis.

However, he achieved a major diplomatic success with the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Egypt and Israel in 1978.

Despite this accomplishment, Carter faced overwhelming defeat in the 1980 election, losing to Republican Ronald Reagan, who criticized him for economic issues like high inflation and interest rates.

Carter’s loss became a symbol of Democratic struggles, with both Republicans and some Democrats questioning his leadership style.

Over time, Carter’s post-presidency work reshaped his legacy. He returned to his modest two-bedroom home in Georgia and avoided the wealth-building opportunities many former presidents pursue.

Instead, he focused on addressing global inequality and disease, co-founding The Elders with Nelson Mandela to promote peace and human rights.

When he received the Nobel Peace Prize, Carter highlighted the deep divide between the world’s richest and poorest populations as humanity’s greatest challenge.

President Joe Biden announced that a state funeral will be held in Washington, D.C., honoring a life devoted to public service and global compassion.

KanyiDaily recalls that in 2023, Jimmy Carter’s family disclosed that his wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, has dementia.