Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died Sunday at 100.
He was the longest living president in U.S. history and had the longest post-presidency. He passed away at his longtime home in Plains, Ga., after more than a year in hospice care, and eight months after the death of his wife Rosalynn at the age of 96, according to the New York Post. They were married for 77 years.
Carter’s grandson, Jason, said the former commander-in-chief was “experiencing the world as best he can” but was not awake every day in an update weeks before his death.
Carter was elected as governor of Georgia in 1971. On Dec. 12, 1974, he announced his candidacy for president of the United States. He won his party's nomination on the first ballot at the 1976 Democratic National Convention and was elected president on Nov. 2, 1976.
He served as president from Jan. 20, 1977 to Jan. 20, 1981. Among his most significant foreign policy accomplishments was the Camp David Accords, a pair of political agreements signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on 17 September 1978, leading to an enduring peace between the two countries.
Carter ran for reelection in 1980, but was defeated by Republican Ronald Reagan.
His post-presidency was filled with humanitarian work, such as his work building homes with Habitat for Humanity.
Here is the full statement from the Carter Center:
Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. He was 100, the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
President Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosalynn, and one grandchild.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “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.”
There will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. The final arrangements for President Carter’s state funeral, including all public events and motorcade routes, are still pending. The schedule will be released by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region at www.usstatefuneral.mdw.army.mil.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the official tribute website to the life of President Carter at www.jimmycartertribute.org. This site includes the official online condolence book as well as print and visual biographical materials commemorating his life.
The Carter family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307.
