Jimmy Carter, Former U.S. President And Nobel Laureate, Dies At 100

Jimmy Carter, the Georgia peanut farmer-turned-U.S. president who championed peace, human rights, and humanitarian causes, passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, the Carter Center announced. He was 100 years old. Will Dunham and Jasper Ward reported the news.

Carter lived longer after leaving the White House than any other U.S. president, becoming widely regarded as a more effective former president than a sitting one. I Photo: Lauren Gerson, LBJ Library Flickr

“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.

“My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. 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.”

A Democrat, Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from January 1977 to January 1981, defeating incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. However, his presidency ended after one term when Republican challenger Ronald Reagan won a landslide victory in 1980.

Carter lived longer after leaving the White House than any other U.S. president, becoming widely regarded as a more effective former president than a sitting one—a status he openly acknowledged.

His presidency was marked by the historic 1978 Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and brought some stability to the Middle East.

However, his tenure faced significant challenges, including a struggling economy, low approval ratings, and the Iran hostage crisis, which overshadowed much of his term and consumed the final 444 days of his presidency.

In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of humanitarian work through the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982.

His efforts focused on advancing democracy, eradicating diseases, and mediating international conflicts, solidifying his legacy as a global advocate for peace and human rights.