Former US President Jimmy Carter has passed away at the age of 100.
The Carter Center announced that its founder, recognized as the oldest living former president of the United States, died peacefully at his residence in Plains, Georgia, his birthplace, on Sunday afternoon.
A statement indicated that he was surrounded by his loved ones, emphasizing, “He was 100 years old, the longest-living president in American history.”
Mr. Carter, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize who served as president from 1977 to 1981, leaves behind his children Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, along with 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
His son Chip Carter shared, “My father was a hero, not just to me, but to everyone who champions peace, human rights, and selfless love.
“My siblings and I shared him with the world through these universal values. The world is our family thanks to the way he united people, and we appreciate your efforts to honor his legacy by continuing to embody these common ideals.”
Pic: The Carter Center
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Tributes to ‘extraordinary leader’
In February of the previous year, it was disclosed that Mr. Carter was receiving hospice care and would be “spending his remaining time at home with his family”.
He opted out of “further medical intervention” after experiencing a series of brief hospital admissions, as specified by the Carter Center in a statement at that time.
Jimmy Carter in downtown Philadelphia in 1976. File pic: AP
The 39th US President
Mr. Carter, a member of the Democratic Party, ascended to the presidency by defeating former president Gerald Ford in 1976.
The native of Georgia and former peanut farmer served a single term and was unseated by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980.
The last year of his presidency was overshadowed by a hostage crisis in Iran, where 52 Americans were taken hostage at the US embassy in November 1979.
On his final day in office, January 20, 1981, the hostages were released. Carter had been conducting negotiations behind the scenes even after his electoral defeat.
In 2002, he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in preventing global conflicts.
Mr. Carter continued diplomatic missions into his 80s and was actively involved in constructing homes for the underprivileged well into his 90s.
“My faith compels me – it is not optional – my faith requires that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever possible, for as long as I can, with whatever resources I have to make a difference,” Mr. Carter once stated.
When his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, passed away at the age of 96 in November 2023, the former president attended the memorial service held in her tribute in Atlanta, Georgia.
He donned a blue and white blanket embroidered with her likeness.
Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr. Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, recognizing his life of service.
File pic: AP
‘An extraordinary leader’
The Carter Center has announced that there will be opportunities for the public to pay their respects in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC prior to a private funeral in Plains, while the final arrangements for his state funeral are still being finalized.
Former president Bill Clinton and his wife, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, led the tributes to Mr. Carter, whom they first encountered during his campaign in 1975, expressing “gratitude for his lengthy, admirable life.”
“Driven by his faith, President Carter dedicated his life to serving others – right up to the end,” they noted in a statement.
Current White House occupant Joe Biden remarked, “Today, America and the globe mourn the loss of an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.”
President-elect Donald Trump commented that the challenges faced by Mr. Carter as president “arose at a crucial time for our nation, and he endeavored greatly to enhance the lives of all Americans”.
“For this, we all owe him a significant debt of appreciation,” he stated in a press release.
Global leaders also paid their respects, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who remarked, “Jimmy Carter championed the rights of the most vulnerable individuals and indefatigably led the peace initiative.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed, “I was deeply saddened to learn of President Carter’s passing and would like to extend my tributes to his decades of selfless public service.”
