James Earl Carter Jr., widely known as Jimmy Carter, was the 39th president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981.
He is remembered for his commitment to human rights and significant foreign policy achievements, including the Camp David Accords.
Despite facing economic challenges and the Iran hostage crisis, he later revitalized his legacy through humanitarian efforts, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Carter passed away at age 100 in Plains, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and advocacy for peace and democracy.
Parents
Jimmy was born to James Earl Carter Sr. and Bessie Lillian Gordy Carter.
His father was a peanut farmer and businessman, while his mother was a registered nurse who crossed racial divides to provide healthcare advice in the 1920s.
The family lived in Plains, Georgia, and later moved to Archery, where they faced the challenges of rural life during the Great Depression.
Jimmy was the eldest of four children and was influenced by his parents’ strong religious beliefs and work ethic.
Military career
Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 with a degree in electrical engineering.
After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy during the early years of the Cold War, where he was assigned to the submarine service.
Carter worked on the USS Pomfret and later on the USS K-1, a nuclear submarine.
During this time, he was involved in the development of nuclear submarines under Admiral Hyman Rickover, who was known for his rigorous standards and innovative approach to naval engineering.
In 1953, following the death of his father, Carter resigned from the Navy to return to Plains to manage the family peanut farming business.
Upon returning home, he took over the family farm and expanded it into a successful enterprise.
Political career
Carter began his political career in the Georgia State Senate, where he served from 1963 to 1967.
During this time, he focused on education and health care, advocating for improvements in these areas.
In 1970, after an unsuccessful bid for the governorship in 1966, Carter was elected as the 76th governor of Georgia.
He took office in January 1971 and served until January 1975.
As governor, Carter implemented several progressive reforms aimed at modernizing Georgia’s government and promoting social justice.
Carter’s governorship was notable for his strong stance on civil rights.
He famously declared that “the time for racial discrimination is over,” which was a bold statement in the context of the South during the early 1970s.
During his time as governor, Carter also focused on environmental issues, education reform, and the restructuring of state government.
After serving as governor, Carter announced his candidacy for president in December 1974.
His campaign capitalized on the disillusionment with Washington politics following the Watergate scandal and Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Carter positioned himself as an outsider who would bring integrity and honesty back to the White House.
He won the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in July 1976, defeating prominent candidates like Morris Udall and Hubert Humphrey.
Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977.
His presidency was characterized by a focus on human rights both domestically and internationally.
One of Carter’s most significant accomplishments was brokering peace between Israel and Egypt through the Camp David Accords in 1978.
Carter also worked on domestic policies that included energy conservation measures in response to the oil crisis of the late 1970s, as well as initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access and education.
Despite these achievements, Carter faced significant challenges during his presidency.
The Iran hostage crisis began in November 1979 when Iranian militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days.
Additionally, economic difficulties characterized Carter’s presidency, including high inflation and unemployment rates, leading to what was termed “stagflation.”
As a result of these challenges, Carter lost his bid for re-election in 1980 to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan.
Death
Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100 in his home in Plains, Georgia. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.
The Carter Center announced his passing, noting that he had been under hospice care for nearly two years following treatment for skin cancer.
Carter celebrated his centennial birthday just a few months prior, in October 2024.
He is survived by his four children, eleven grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, who was married to him for 77 years, passed away in November 2023.
Following his death, public observances are planned in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., with a private interment in Plains.
In lieu of flowers, the Carter family requested donations to The Carter Center.
