Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia, the town of his birth.
A statement from the Carter family noted that he was surrounded by loved ones. “He was 100, the longest-lived president in U.S. history,” the statement read.
Chip Carter, the former president’s son, described his father as a global symbol of peace and compassion. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” Chip said in a statement. “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.”
Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, was elected president in 1976 after defeating Gerald Ford. His presidency was marked by efforts to promote peace and human rights, though it was also tested by the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, during which 52 Americans were held captive at the U.S. embassy. The hostages were released on January 20, 1981, the day Carter left office, following months of secret negotiations.
Carter’s commitment to peace extended well beyond his presidency. In 2002, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in conflict resolution and advancing democracy worldwide.
The former president’s later years were marked by health challenges. In February 2023, Carter began receiving hospice care, choosing to spend his final days at home with his family. His passing comes just over a year after the death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96.
Jimmy Carter’s legacy of humanitarianism, peace-building, and unifying leadership will continue to inspire generations to come.
