39th President of the United States Jimmy CarterPhoto: Reuters
Former US President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. He breathed his last at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday afternoon local time. The country’s current President Joe Biden has expressed his condolences, calling Jimmy Carter an “extraordinary leader”.
However, Jimmy Carter’s tenure as president was not pleasant. He could not stay in power for more than one term due to his inability to handle the economic crisis and diplomatic crisis. Later, Jimmy Carter restored his reputation through humanitarian activities, which was recognized by being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
From farmer to president
James Earl Carter Jr. was born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia. He later became known as Jimmy Carter. He was one of four children of a farmer and a shopkeeper.
Jimmy Carter graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. Then he worked on the nuclear submarine program. Later, he left this job and took charge of the family’s peanut farming business.
Jimmy Carter was a Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher since his youth. He brought a strong sense of morality to his presidency. Jimmy Carter expressed his religious beliefs without any reservations.
Jimmy Carter became a millionaire at one point. He was elected to Congress from Georgia. He served as the Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. In 1976, he was nominated as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. He defeated the incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford and was elected the 39th President of the United States.
77 years of marriage with Rosalyn
Jimmy Carter married Rosalyn Smith in 1946. The couple had four children. Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn were married for 77 years. Rosalyn died in November last year at the age of 96. The ailing Carter was seen sitting in a wheelchair at his wife’s funeral. They have 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. One of their grandchildren died in 2015.
Jimmy Carter had been suffering from various physical complications, including skin cancer melanoma, for several years. The cancer also spread to his liver and brain. He decided to spend the rest of his life at home with his family in February last year without seeking any formal treatment. Since then, the former president has been under intensive care at his residence.
Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday on October 1. Then on October 16, 2024, he voted for Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris. He cast his vote in advance via email.
He regained his lost popularity as president through humanitarian work
President Carter, who had the longest tenure of any US president, served in office from January 1977 to January 1981. He left the White House after losing to Republican rival Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election.
During Jimmy Carter’s presidency, the United States was in economic distress. During his tenure, 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage at the US embassy in Iran. This hostage situation ended after he left power. However, Carter played a role in signing the Camp David Accords. This made a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel possible.
After leaving the White House, Jimmy Carter engaged himself in various humanitarian activities for decades. This includes protecting human rights, programs to reduce poverty in countries. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his tireless efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, improving democracy and human rights conditions, and contributing to economic and social development.
After Jimmy Carter’s death, his son Chip Carter said in a statement, “My father was a hero. Not just to me, but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and selfless love.”
Jimmy Carter has written more than two dozen books, from memoirs of his presidency to children’s literature. He has also written on religious beliefs and diplomacy. His book, Faith: A Journey for All, was published in 2018.
