Former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100, had an extraordinary life that began on a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, and included four years in the world’s most powerful office, travels around the globe, and a Nobel Peace Prize. President Biden declared a National Day of Mourning for Carter, with a state funeral planned in Washington, D.C., and additional services throughout the week. Carter will be buried at the ranch house where he lived with his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died in 2023. Carter’s childhood in Plains, Georgia, was marked by a simple life on a peanut farm with no electricity or indoor plumbing.
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Carter served in the Navy for seven years. He returned to run the family peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, after his father died. Carter entered politics in the 1960s, serving as a state senator and later as Georgia’s governor. He garnered national attention for his focus on civil rights, declaring that the time for racial discrimination was over. In the 1976 presidential campaign, Carter ran as an outsider against incumbent President Gerald Ford and ultimately won the presidency. He was sworn in as the 39th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 1977.
During his presidency, Carter faced deep economic challenges and a series of world crises. One of his signature accomplishments was the Camp David Accords, which led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Carter also negotiated the Panama Canal Treaty, welcoming Pope John Paul II to the White House, and dining with Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to the U.K. However, his final year in office was marked by the Iran hostage crisis, which overshadowed his presidency. The hostages were finally released on Jan. 20, 1981, the day Carter’s successor, Ronald Reagan, was sworn in.
After his presidency, Carter remained dedicated to peace and human rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts in finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts and promoting democracy and human rights. Carter continued his work with Habitat for Humanity, building homes for those in need. He also considered faith a cornerstone of his life, frequently teaching Sunday school at his church in Plains, Georgia. Carter’s wife, Rosalynn, passed away in 2023, marking the end of their 77-year marriage. Carter celebrated his 100th birthday in 2024 with a small gathering of family and friends at home.
