30 Dec. 2024: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, passed away on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. His family confirmed the news through the Carter Center.
“My father was a hero, not just to me but to all who value peace, human rights, and love,” said Chip Carter, Carter’s son. “He shared these values with the world, and we are grateful for how people continue to honor his memory by embracing these principles.”
Elected in 1976, Carter’s presidency was defined by international achievements, most notably the Camp David Accords that resulted in a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. However, his term was marred by domestic struggles including inflation, the energy crisis, and the Iran hostage situation that dominated his final year in office.
Despite his one-term presidency, Carter’s post-presidential years were marked by immense global recognition for his humanitarian work. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to advocate for human rights, resolve international conflicts, and improve health care and education worldwide.
Legacy of Peace and Humanitarian Work
Carter’s key foreign policy accomplishment, the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, followed his direct intervention at the Camp David summit, where he brokered talks between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Carter’s personal diplomacy earned him lasting recognition, even as challenges at home, such as the ongoing economic recession and the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, left a heavy toll on his presidency.
The hostage crisis, which began with the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by Iranian revolutionaries, proved to be a defining moment of Carter’s term. Despite initial public support, the failed rescue attempt and the prolonged crisis undermined Carter’s political standing.
Domestically, Carter’s presidency was defined by efforts to address the energy crisis and a landmark speech in 1979 that tackled what became known as the “malaise” era, highlighting a crisis of national confidence that went beyond policy.
A Lifelong Commitment to Service and Diplomacy
Leaving office in 1981 after his defeat to Ronald Reagan, Carter pursued a second act in which his influence far exceeded his term in office. Through the Carter Center, he contributed to efforts across the world aimed at improving health care, monitoring elections, and supporting peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
Carter’s humanitarian efforts won him international praise, notably for his work to facilitate peace talks and his involvement in elections and humanitarian aid in regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In North Korea, he personally helped negotiate a deal to freeze the nation’s nuclear program in 1994.
Known for his unwavering sense of moral duty, Carter became a voice for truth and justice even after his presidency. In 2004, he criticized the Iraq War as a costly mistake, and in 2019, he questioned the legitimacy of President Donald Trump, a stance that spurred a pointed response from the Trump administration.
Early Life and Personal Legacy
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter was the son of a farmer and shopkeeper. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, served in the submarine service, and later returned to Georgia to take over the family’s peanut farming business. After a successful run in state politics, he was elected governor of Georgia in 1970 before launching his successful 1976 presidential campaign.
Carter’s marriage to Rosalynn Carter was a central part of his life. The two were married for 77 years until her death in November 2023.
Known for his public devotion to his faith and humility, Carter also authored more than two dozen books, ranging from memoirs to writings on religion, faith, and diplomacy. In his post-presidential years, he cemented his place as a leading global advocate for human rights, peace, and international cooperation.
A figure admired for his integrity and dedication to public service, Jimmy Carter’s legacy will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to improving the world, both during his presidency and for decades afterward.
