Jimmy Carter Passes Away at 100: A Look at His Life!

According to SAEDNEWS, Carter served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981. Before his presidency, he was a Georgia State Senator from 1963 to 1967 and the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975.

• Date of Birth: October 1, 1924

• Birthplace: Plains, Georgia, USA

• Spouse: Rosalynn Smith – married July 7, 1946

• Children:

  • John William (Jack) Carter, born July 3, 1947

  • James Earl (Chip) Carter III, born April 12, 1950

  • Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff) Carter, born August 18, 1952

  • Amy Lynn Carter, born October 19, 1967

Positions Held:

• U.S. Navy Officer: 1946–1953

• Georgia State Senator: January 14, 1963 – January 10, 1967

• Governor of Georgia: January 12, 1971 – January 14, 1975

• 39th President of the United States: January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981

Biography Highlights

When Carter announced his presidential campaign in December 1974, he was considered an unlikely candidate. Largely unknown outside his home state of Georgia, his two-year campaign proved successful, securing the Democratic Party nomination and narrowly defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election.

Upon taking office in January 1977, Carter inherited a nation grappling with the aftermath of the Vietnam War, which had claimed the lives of approximately 59,000 American soldiers. Two days after his inauguration, he granted amnesty to those who had avoided military service during the war.

Challenges During His Presidency

Carter's term was marked by rising energy costs, inflation, and ongoing tensions with foreign adversaries, including the threat of nuclear conflict with the Soviet Union.

His hopes for reelection were dashed by the Iranian hostage crisis, during which U.S. embassy staff in Tehran were taken hostage. The public criticized Carter’s perceived leniency in handling the crisis, which severely impacted his presidency and reelection efforts. He ultimately lost the 1980 election to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in a landslide.

Life After the White House

After leaving office, Carter dedicated his life to diplomacy and humanitarian efforts.

In 1982, he founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization committed to human rights and alleviating human suffering worldwide. The center has worked tirelessly to improve lives across the globe.

In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to resolve global conflicts, promote democracy and human rights, and foster economic and social development.

In recent years, Carter largely withdrew from public life due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health challenges, including a 2015 cancer diagnosis.

Despite leading a quieter life in his later years, Carter often voiced his opinions on U.S. politics, criticizing actions by subsequent presidents. For instance:

• He opposed Reagan’s Middle East peace policies.

• He criticized George W. Bush’s Iraq War.

• He disagreed with Barack Obama’s use of drone strikes against suspected terrorists.

During the 2020 presidential election, Carter endorsed Joe Biden, describing him as a loyal and committed friend over the decades.

Tributes and Reactions to His Death

Chip Carter, in an emotional statement, described his father as a hero and an inspiration to those who believe in peace, human rights, and unconditional love. He urged people to honor his father’s legacy by embracing these shared values.

The Carter Center announced that public memorial services would be held in Atlanta and Washington, along with an official funeral.

Global Tributes:

• Donald Trump: Remembered Carter as a man who worked tirelessly to improve American lives, despite political differences. He praised Carter’s love for the country and called him a worthy and impactful leader.

• Joe and Jill Biden: Described Carter as an exceptional leader, an outstanding politician, and a humanitarian. They fondly recalled their decades-long friendship with Carter and his wife, Rosalynn.

• Barack and Michelle Obama: Highlighted Carter’s influence not only during his presidency but also in his post-presidential life, calling his legacy deeply inspiring.

• Bill and Hillary Clinton: Commended Carter’s lifelong commitment to public service and paid tribute to his impactful leadership.

Jimmy Carter remains the longest-living U.S. president in history, the first to reach 100 years of age, and a symbol of perseverance and humanitarian values.