Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the country’s oldest living former president, has passed away at the age of 100.
Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, according to a statement released by the Carter Center.
“Our founder, former US President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the Carter Center announced in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The news was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
While no cause of death was immediately provided, Carter had been under hospice care at home for nearly two years following treatment for a form of skin cancer. He celebrated his 100th birthday in October.
His wife of 76 years, Rosalynn Carter, passed away in November 2023.
A Legacy Beyond the Presidency
Though Carter’s presidency lasted only one term, his post-presidential contributions earned him widespread admiration. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work through the Carter Center, including efforts to combat Guinea worm disease in Africa and monitor elections worldwide.
Carter also devoted much of his later years to Habitat for Humanity, volunteering well into his 90s to help build homes for those in need. His dedication to service and humility drew bipartisan praise throughout his life.
In a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden described Carter as “an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.”
“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,” Biden said. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.”
Former President Bill Clinton said Carter “worked tirelessly for a better world,” while President-elect Donald Trump remarked on Truth Social that “we all owe [Carter] a debt of gratitude.”
Members of Congress also paid tribute. Democratic Congressman Chris Van Hollen wrote on X that Carter “represented the best of our country” and left “a towering legacy of good works.” Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn commended his decades of service, noting that Carter volunteered with Habitat for Humanity into his 90s, including helping build homes in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 95.
A Tumultuous Presidency
Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Southern Democrat but gained traction amid public discontent over the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal under Richard Nixon.
However, his presidency was marked by significant challenges, including Cold War tensions, economic struggles, and the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, during which 52 Americans were held at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. These issues overshadowed his tenure, contributing to his defeat by Republican challenger Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election.
Despite these difficulties, Carter achieved notable successes, including brokering the Camp David Accords in 1978, a landmark peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. The deal, which required Israel to return the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, restored diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
Although the agreement did not resolve the Palestinian conflict, Carter remained a staunch advocate for Palestinian rights throughout his life. In 2006, he published Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, a book that used terminology later adopted by major human rights organizations to describe Israeli policies in Palestinian territories.
On Sunday, author Assal Rad described Carter as “one of the only US presidents who spoke honestly about Palestine.”
Human Rights Watch lauded Carter for setting “a powerful example for world leaders to make human rights a priority,” adding that he continued his advocacy well beyond his presidency.
A Life of Service
Jimmy Carter’s life was defined by a commitment to service, humility, and justice. His work both in and out of office left an indelible mark on the world, ensuring his legacy as a statesman, humanitarian, and advocate for peace.
Carter is survived by his four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
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