Jimmy Carter – the 39th President of the United States, a renowned philanthropist and Nobel Peace Prize winner – has died.
News of his death was shared by his son, Jimmy Carter III, also known as: chip to the Washington Post on Sunday.
In February 2023, it was revealed that it was Carter Entering hospice care after stay and discharge from the hospital. His grandson also reported on the ex-Prez's condition, noting that Carter was no longer able to stay awake every day.
However, his grandchild said that Carter was still able to crack jokes with his loved ones at his home in Plains, Georgia… so it sounds like he was still in good spirits until the end.
President Biden said the former president asked him to give his eulogy.
Carter has struggled with several health issues in recent years, starting with a cancer diagnosis in 2015. In May 2019, he suffered a broken hip and that same year he had surgery to relieve pressure on his brain due to internal bleeding from recent falls to alleviate.
A Georgian through and through, Carter's political career began in the 1960s as a senator from the US state of Georgia. He was elected governor of the state in 1970 as a Democrat and declared during his inaugural address… “The time for racial discrimination is over,” adding, “No poor, rural, weak or black person should ever have to put the additional burden on them.” that they are deprived of the opportunity for training, a job or simple justice.”
Carter's words came as a shock to many voters – including the segregationists who supported him – especially after he ran a conservative campaign. Still, it marked the beginning of Carter speaking out against racist policies.
Near the end of his term as governor, Carter announced his candidacy for U.S. president, and although he was initially an outsider, he quickly became the Democratic frontrunner and defeated the president Gerald Ford in the 1976 election.
His election came just weeks after Playboy published a very famous interview in which then-candidate Carter admitted: “I've looked at a lot of women with lust. I have often committed adultery in my heart.”
While the remark was considered controversial at the time, it is certainly harmless compared to what we know about politicians' personal lives today.
In any case, Carter took office in 1977 and served one term as president.
His term in office is remembered as a time of economic hardship and energy crisis – but he is also credited with brokering a historic peace deal.
In 1979, Carter was appointed President of Egypt Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem begins together at Camp David. In the end, they signed a peace treaty that ended decades of war and made Egypt the first Arab state to recognize Israel.
His final year in office was marred by the Iran hostage crisis…which contributed to it Ronald Reagan beat him in the 1980 election.
After his defeat by Reagan, Carter remained very active in public life and diplomacy. He founded his famed Carter Center in Atlanta in 1982 to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering…which led to him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work.
Carter and his late wife, Rosalynnwere also known for their work with Habitat for Humanity.
JANUARY 2017
TMZ.com
A few more fun facts: Carter served in the Navy, where he met Rosalynn. They married in 1946 and were the longest-married presidential couple…more than 77 years!
Jimmy was also the first US President to be born in a hospital…of course it was a hospital in Plains, Georgia.
Carter is survived by his four children and numerous grandchildren. Rosalynn predeceased the President…she passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96, a few days after being admitted to hospice.
Rosalynn was diagnosed with dementia and the Carter Center confirmed the diagnosis six months before her death.
Despite his poor health, Carter attended the former first lady's funeral and wore a blanket with her face on it.
He was 100.
REST IN PEACE