JIMMY Carter, the 39th President of the United States, has died aged 100 surrounded by his loving family.
Beloved President Carter was known for living a life of service to others and for his faith, love of country, and family.
Jimmy Carter was the oldest living US President after the death of George H.W. Bush in 2018.
Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia – the same place where he ultimately died.
According to his biography on the White House website: “Peanut farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were mainstays of his upbringing.”
He was a naval officer for seven years and became a submariner.
He rose to the rank of lieutenant before he left the Navy when his father died in 1953, and he saw it as his responsibility to take over the family farm.
He soon jumped into politics after being elected to the Georgia State Senate.
In 1970, with the help of his wife, Rosalynn, he was elected the Governor of Georgia.
In 1976, Carter beat out then-President Gerald Ford for the Oval Office, which he occupied from 1977 to 1981.
During his presidency, Carter was known for his compassionate approach to politics.
Domestically, he created 8 million jobs, many of which went to women, African Americans, and Hispanics.
He expanded the national park system and created the Department of Education and the Department of Energy.
Internationally, he soared and, in 2002, was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to create the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
After his presidency, Jimmy and Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, a non-profit center that helps humanitarian causes around the globe.
They also were heavily involved with Habitat for Humanity.
Jimmy Carter died on Sunday 29, December, 2024 nearly two years after going into hospice care.
His official cause of death is yet to be announced but his son Chip released a heartfelt statement confirming the death of his father.
He said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.
“My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs.
“The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
Carter, the beloved Democrat and Nobel Peace Prize winner, had experienced several health issues in recent years including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.
In 2015, he beat brain and liver cancer, but in 2019, his health began to suffer again.
He chose hospice care over continuing medical treatment, the Carter Center announced on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Carter leaves behind his four children with his late wife Rosalynn, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rosalynn passed away on November 19, 2023, at 96 years old.
Public events will commemorate Carter in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. and a state funeral will be held, The Carter Center confirmed.
Whether Carter and his family decided to go through with the double funeral and how much of it will be public will be disclosed in the coming days.
Carter will likely opt for burial in his home state of Georgia.
However, like President H. W. Bush, he could have a state funeral in Washington DC and a personal funeral in his beloved hometown.
