Jimmy Carter marked his 100th birthday on Tuesday, becoming the first US president to reach this remarkable milestone. This achievement is even more extraordinary for the former peanut farmer who rose to the highest office in the land.
Carter's longevity, having been under hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, for over 19 months, has surpassed all predictions. The former Democratic president, who no longer makes regular public appearances, will celebrate his birthday at the home he and his late wife Rosalynn built in the 1960s. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the day will include a lunch with around 20 members of his extended family.
President Joe Biden, in a video message posted on his official X account, praised Carter as a 'beloved friend' and 'one of the most influential statesmen' in US history. 'Your hopeful vision of our country, your commitment to a better world, and your unwavering belief in the power of human goodness continue to be a guiding light for all of us,' Biden said. First Lady Jill Biden's office announced a display on the White House lawn with the message 'Happy Birthday President Carter'.
Beyond his single term as president from 1977 to 1981, Carter has been a global mediator, rights activist, and elder statesman. He founded the highly respected Carter Center in 1982 to advance his vision of world diplomacy. His presidency saw significant events such as the 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, and the return of the Panama Canal to Panama. However, his administration faced challenges including the Iran hostage crisis and the 1979-1980 oil crisis, which contributed to Ronald Reagan's landslide victory.
'We are thrilled that the president from this little town is going to be the only president to ever live to be 100 years old,' said Jill Stuckey, superintendent of the National Park Service's Jimmy Carter historical site and a longtime family friend. She spoke from Plains High School, where Carter graduated in 1941 and which now serves as the visitor center for the national park that highlights his early life, including the nearby peanut farm where he grew up.
On Tuesday, the school planned an evening concert and a naturalization ceremony for 100 new US citizens. A devout Baptist and self-described 'born-again' Christian, Carter is remembered for his moralistic approach and civility, qualities admired even by political opponents. 'Healthy habits and his faith are a lot of the reasons why he is still with it today,' Stuckey noted, referring to Carter's preference for fresh food and exercise.
According to family members, Carter remains deeply interested in politics and was determined to reach 100 to vote in the November election for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris. 'He will be voting by mail-in ballot,' Stuckey said, adding, 'he's always been very politically active, and nothing has changed with that respect'. In Plains, a rural area with strong evangelical Christian leanings, yard signs predominantly support Republican Donald Trump, but it's not unusual to see a sign celebrating Carter's centennial next to one supporting Trump.
Carl Lowell, a lifelong Plains resident, avoids engaging in politics due to its divisiveness. The 59-year-old retired firefighter has personal connections to Carter, including his grandfather's work on the Carters' house and a dove hunting trip with the former president. 'Jimmy's a good man, he's a godly man, and that's what people like about him,' Lowell said.
