Former President Jimmy Carter died Sunday at 100. The Georgia Democrat, who served one term as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, is remembered for his principled foreign policy and post-presidency work, which improved the lives of millions worldwide.
Early life and career
Born in 1924 to a family of peanut farmers in Georgia, Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and married Rosalynn Smith. The couple remained together for 77 years until Rosalynn’s death in November 2023. Carter served aboard one of the United States’ first nuclear submarines before returning to Georgia to take over his family’s farming business and enter politics.
Governor of Georgia: Championing civil rights
Elected governor in 1970, Carter championed civil rights—what he preferred to call “human rights”—in the Deep South. He appointed Black officials and enforced anti-discrimination measures, becoming a progressive leader in a region undergoing significant change.
Presidency: Triumphs and challenges
Carter defeated Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. During his presidency, he appointed Patricia Harris to two cabinet positions, making her the first Black woman to serve in a U.S. administration. He also appointed Andrew Young as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and set a single-term record for appointing Black federal judges—a benchmark surpassed only recently by President Joe Biden.
As a Cold War president, Carter balanced increased defense spending with promoting human rights abroad. He negotiated treaties returning control of the Panama Canal to Panama and brokered a historic peace deal between Egypt and Israel in 1978, ending years of conflict. However, his presidency was marred by the Iranian hostage crisis, during which revolutionaries held U.S. embassy personnel captive for 444 days. A failed 1980 rescue attempt left eight Americans dead, contributing to Carter’s defeat in the 1980 election against Ronald Reagan. High inflation also played a significant role in the election outcome.
Post-presidency humanitarian work
Guided by his devout Christian faith and dedication to public service, Carter’s post-presidency was marked by significant humanitarian achievements. He founded the Carter Center in 1982, which negotiated ceasefires and monitored elections in over 100 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The center’s public health initiatives nearly eradicated Guinea worm disease, reducing cases from millions annually to just 13 in 2022 through clean water and health education efforts.
Legacy of service and recognition
In partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Carter and his wife worked for more than 35 years alongside nearly 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries, helping build or repair over 4,300 homes. His extensive contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.
Carter’s legacy endures as a symbol of unwavering commitment to human rights, justice, and service.
