Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, passed away at his residence in Georgia at the age of 100. Carter, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is renowned for his humanitarian efforts and his role in mediating peace between Israel and Egypt.
After defeating Republican incumbent President Gerald Ford in the 1976 US election, Democrat Carter assumed office. Actor-turned-politician Ronald Reagan, a former California governor, defeated him in the 1980 election.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love,” Chip Carter, son of the former US president, said on Sunday.
A number of health problems, including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain, have affected Carter in recent years. In 2023, he made the decision to let go of further medical intervention in favour of hospice care, a type of treatment aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those who are near death.
“My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. Because of the way he united people, the world is our family, and we are grateful that you are honouring his memory by upholding these shared values,” Chip added.
In a wheelchair, he appeared weak during the memorial ceremony for his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96.
However, Carter went on to become the first US President to live longer after leaving office.
In addition to promoting democracy and human rights, he was recognised for his efforts to resolve international disputes peacefully in 2002 with the Nobel Peace Prize.
The 1978 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which contributed to Middle East stability, were a result of his one and only four-year tenure at the Oval Office.
However, he lost to Reagan in the 1980 US election because of an economic recession, his unpopularity and the hostage situation in Iran in 1979.
In a formal statement, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden recalled Jimmy Carter as an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and expressed their condolences.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Joe Biden stated, “Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.”
President-elect Donald Trump said that Carter was a leader who, in spite of the challenges he encountered while in office, sought to better the lives of all Americans.”The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude,” Trump said.
“Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers,” he added.
When Jimmy Carter took office, the nation was still reeling from the Watergate turmoil, which caused Republican Richard Nixon to resign as president in 1974 to make room for Vice President Gerald Ford, who became the nation’s top leader.
“The most significant setback we had was a political one. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a strong and powerful leader,” Carter said in a 1991 documentary when he was questioned to assess his presidency.
Although he was an unpopular president when he left office, Carter dedicated decades of his life to humanitarian causes.
As a human rights advocate, Carter became well-known in subsequent years and became a popular voice for the poor. He spearheaded the battle against poverty and hunger and gained unprecedented popularity—something he was unable to accomplish even as president.
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