The 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter has passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100 years old.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Carter Center which was founded by the former president and his wife Rosalynn, confirmed multiple media reports that the centenarian had died.
Former President Carter had been in hospice care since February, 2023 following frequent visits to the hospital at the time.
Born October 1, 1924, Jimmy Carter grew up in Plains, Georgia, as the oldest of four children. He graduated from the US Naval Academy after earning a Bachelor of Science degree.
Mr. Carter served in the navy until he later retired to continue his father’s business.
The former President was elected Governor of Georgia in 1970, an office upon which he launched a surprising bid for the presidency four years later.
He narrowly defeated incumbent president, Gerald Ford who had acceded to the Oval Office after Richard Nixon resigned post Watergate scandal.
As president, Mr. Carter pursued a warm relations policy with the US’ foes and competitors including the Soviet Union with which it was involved in the Cold War.
President Carter also chalked foreign policy successes including the Camp David Accords that established a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, the ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, and the normalization of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China.
Domestically, he spearheaded environmental and renewable energy policies and championed deregulation in the transportation and telecommunication sectors of the economy.
He left office in January, 1981 following a devastating loss to the Republican, Ronald Reagan. Carter had a more impactful time as former president as he established the Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity to promote human rights and build homes and shelters for several thousands of disadvantaged people across the world.
His monumental contribution to peace earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Mr. Carter has widely been regarded as the most impactful former American president in history.
The Carter Center will provide updates about activities and ceremonies to honour the 100 year old former president in the coming days.
