Former US President Jimmy Carter passed away last night at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. He was the oldest living President of all time and the third U.S. President to visit India.
Mr. Carter had been suffering from an aggressive form of melanoma, a skin cancer, with tumors that had spread to his liver and brain. He had stopped medical treatment and was receiving hospice care at home. His death was announced by the Carter Center in Atlanta. A Democrat, former President Carter served one term from 1977 to 1981. After his presidency, he carved out an extraordinary post-presidency life and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
President Joe Biden led the global tributes, describing Carter as an “extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.” In a statement, Biden said: “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people—decent, courageous, and compassionate.” Former presidents and world leaders echoed these sentiments, recognising Carter’s unmatched contributions to diplomacy and humanitarian work. Plans for a state funeral in Washington, D.C., were announced to honour his life and legacy.
Born on 1 October 1924 in Plains, Georgia, James Earl Carter Jr. grew up during the Great Depression. His upbringing on a peanut farm instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep connection to rural America. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, Carter served as a naval officer, specialising in submarine operations, before returning to Plains to manage the family farm following his father’s passing.
In 2002, Mr. Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The Nobel Committee acknowledged his unwavering commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
Carter’s deep faith and humility defined his personal life. A lifelong member of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, he continued teaching Sunday school well into his 90s. “Faith has always guided my decisions,” he said, “and it’s given me strength in the most difficult times.”
