Former President Jimmy Carter Dies at 100

At a press conference at The Carter Center in Atlanta on August 20, 2015, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter discusses his cancer diagnosis. He said cancer originally found in a mass on his liver had spread to his brain. After making remarks, he answered questions from the media and reflected on his life's work (Image courtesy of The Carter Center).

Carter was the longest-living chief executive in United States history.

Article by Dean Millard, Senior White House Correspondent

PLAINS, Ga. - Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died at 100 in Plains, Georgia on Sunday. The Carter Center announced that he was surrounded by his family at the time of his death. He spent nearly two years in hospice care. 

Carter was born in Plains, Georgia. His parents, Earl and Lillian Carter, owned a peanut farm, warehouse, and store outside of Plains. His ancestors were residents of Georgia since the years following the American Revolution.  

Originally named James Earl Carter, Jimmy Carter was the first of four children born. He was the first American president to be born in a hospital.  

After graduating as class valedictorian of his high school in 1941, Carter entered the military. His interest stemmed from his Uncle Tom Gordy’s service in the United States Navy. As a child, Carter received postcards from the places around the world his Uncle Gordy visited while serving.  

Carter enlisted during World War II. After studying for a year at Georgia Institute of Technology, he was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in 1943. He studied nuclear physics and went on to graduate in the top ten percent of his class in August 1946.  

Before graduating, Carter met Rosalynn Smith, his sister’s friend. After Smith declined Carter’s first marriage proposal, she accepted when he proposed again. Carter and Smith were married in July of 1946. 

Carter began his political career in state politics in 1962 as a moderate Democrat. Eight years later, he was elected to serve as the Governor of Georgia.  

Carter announced that he would campaign for the presidency in December 1974. Although he was initially a little-known candidate, he capitalized on former President Nixon’s presidency, filled with scandal and defeat.  

Carter’s campaign highlighted his integrity, faith, and commitment to the American people. Following three debates against his opponent, President Gerald Ford, Carter won the presidency with 297 electoral votes. 

He served one term from 1977 to 1981. His accomplishments as president included an increase of nearly eight million jobs, the creation of the Department of Education and Department of Energy, and record-number federal appointments of minorities and women. 

He ran for a second term but lost to Ronald Reagan. Americans criticized Carter due to America’s inflation and unemployment under his leadership.  

In 2002, Carter became the third president in history to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Carter continued to devote his life to service after his presidency. He built homes through Habitat for Humanity, pursued international peace through The Carter Center he founded, and traveled to nations around the world “where others are not treading.” 

His wife, Rosalynn, died at 96 in November of 2023. They had been married for 77 years. Her memorial events included a private burial and televised tribute service in Atlanta. Former president Carter attended these services in a wheelchair. 

Carter became the oldest living former U.S. president in history after turning 95 in March 2019. He is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.  

President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying Carter was an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.”  

Preparations for the state funeral are underway following the announcement of Carter’s death.