Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, has died at age 100. Carter was “surrounded by his family” at his home in Plains, Georgia, in his final moments, the Carter Center said in a statement Sunday.
Carter was a peanut farmer and US Navy lieutenant before going into politics, eventually serving one term as governor of Georgia and as president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was the only former US president to reach 100 years old.
The former president’s wife of more than 75 years, who was known for her mental health advocacy and humanitarian work, died in November 2023 at 96. The Carters were the longest-married presidential couple in US history.
Responding, President Joe Biden said Carter “stands as a model of what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose,” and remembered Carter as a “dear friend.” President-elect Donald Trump said Americans owe the former president “a debt of gratitude.” Preparations are underway for a state funeral.
Also, the US vice president and former presidential candidate in a statement said “Carter was guided by a deep and abiding faith — in God, in America, and in humanity. He reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion.”
The US president-elect offered his “highest respect” to Carter, while noting in a Truth Social post he “strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically.”
Public observances honoring Carter’s legacy will be held in Atlanta and Washington, DC, followed by a private interment in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, according to The Carter Center, though final arrangements are still underway. The Joint Task Force – National Capital Region in the Department of Defense will ultimately conduct the ceremonies.
The remaining living presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — also remembered Carter on Sunday. They were joined by several world leaders and lawmakers in expressing their condolences over the former president’s death.
