Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, was born on October 1, 1924, at the Wise Clinic in Plains, Georgia. He was the first U.S. president to be born in a hospital and would later go on to become the first president to live for an entire century. Carter’s educational journey included attending Plains High School in Georgia, Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and Union College in Schenectady, New York.
At the age of 52 years, 3 months, and 20 days, Jimmy Carter was sworn in as the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977, after winning the 1976 general election against President Gerald R. Ford. He served one term as president and left office on January 20, 1981, after losing the 1980 general election to Ronald Reagan. During his presidency, Carter faced numerous challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis and high inflation rates.
After his presidency, Jimmy Carter launched The Carter Center in 1982, a non-profit organization focused on advancing human rights and alleviating suffering around the world. He also began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in 1984, a cause he remains actively involved in to this day. Moreover, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his dedication to diplomacy and conflict resolution efforts. In addition, he taught at Emory University for 37 years and was granted tenure in 2019 at the age of 94.
In addition to serving as president, Jimmy Carter held other elected offices, including Georgia state senator from 1963 to 1967 and Georgia governor from 1971 to 1975. Before his political career, Carter served in the U.S. Navy and achieved the rank of lieutenant from 1946 to 1953. Following his time in the Navy, he worked as a farmer and warehouseman in Plains, Georgia, from 1953 to 1977. Carter’s dedication to public service and philanthropy has had a lasting impact both in the U.S. and internationally.
Jimmy Carter was married to his wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter, on July 7, 1946, until her death on November 19, 2023. Together, they had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn. Carter also has 11 living grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Throughout his life, Carter has been known for his humility, integrity, and commitment to making a positive difference in the world. His legacy as a humanitarian, statesman, and teacher continues to inspire future generations.
