New Delhi: The 39th US President Jimmy Carter turned 100 on Tuesday, marking a historic milestone as the longest-living president in the country’s history. Carter, born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, remains a prominent figure for his post-presidential work in promoting democracy, peace, and global development.
Carter, who served as President from 1977 to 1981, is also the American President to have seen the longest post-presidency period at over 43 years.
After leaving office, he and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit dedicated to human rights and conflict resolution. His wife, Rosalyn Carter, the first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981, died in November 2023 at the age of 96.
In 2002, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting peace and advocating for human rights worldwide.
In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with cancer that spread to his brain. Despite health challenges, including entering hospice care in February 2023, he continues to inspire.
Jimmy Carter is the first US president to reach 100 years old. The previous record-holders for longest-living presidents were George HW Bush, who passed away at 94 in 2018, and Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, who both lived to 93.
The current president, Joe Biden, holds the record as the oldest sitting US president at 81. If Donald Trump wins this fall, he could break that record and become the oldest commander-in-chief.
Notably, Carter, 100, has also endorsed Kamala Harris, 59, for president. His grandson, Jason Carter, recently shared that the former president was still looking forward to casting his vote in the upcoming November 5 election.
