The Carter Foundation confirmed his death in a statement, announcing that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that he died at 3:45 p.m. Carter had battled cancer in the past and faced various health issues since then. In February of the previous year, he publicly shared that he had ceased life-sustaining treatments and was receiving hospice and palliative care at home.
Carter celebrated his 98th birthday in October 2022, making him the longest-living U.S. president. Despite facing challenges both domestically and abroad during his presidency, and ultimately failing to secure re-election, he was later recognized as the “greatest former U.S. president” for his post-presidential efforts as a peacemaker. Notably, he received the Nobel Peace Prize and developed a long-standing relationship with the Korean Peninsula. His political career began in 1962 when he won a seat in the Georgia Senate after his rival lost due to election fraud. He later served as governor of Georgia and gained national recognition in the 1976 presidential election, defeating incumbent President Gerald Ford.
One of Carter’s most significant achievements as president was the successful mediation of the Camp David Accords in September 1978. He brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to Camp David, where they signed an agreement that led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. This agreement is credited with preventing decades of conflict in the Middle East. However, Carter’s presidency was also marked by criticisms, including the failure to address stagflation and the diplomatic failure during the 1979 Iranian Revolution when American embassy staff were held hostage for 444 days. These events caused his approval ratings to plummet. He was ultimately defeated by Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election.
After leaving office, Carter went on to achieve even greater recognition through the Carter Centre, an organization he founded to promote peace, democracy, and human rights, as well as to fight diseases. He also became involved in the Habitat for Humanity project, helping to build homes for people in need. His post-presidential life was marked by a dedication to humanitarian causes, and he became known as one of America’s greatest former presidents.
Carter is also remembered for his significant engagement with the Korean Peninsula. He raised concerns about human rights in South Korea and clashed with the regime of Park Chung-hee over the U.S. troop presence. In his memoir, Carter reflected on his tense meeting with President Park in 1979, which he described as one of the most unpleasant discussions he had ever had with an ally. Carter’s efforts to promote peace extended to North Korea as well, where he visited multiple times, including during the 1994 North Korean nuclear crisis, and worked to open dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea.
Carter faced numerous health challenges in his later years, including a diagnosis of melanoma in 2015, which had metastasized to his liver and brain. However, he was declared cured later that year. He continued to experience health issues, undergoing brain surgery in 2019 after a fall. He married Rosalynn Carter in 1946, and they enjoyed a loving partnership for 77 years. She passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96. Carter had expressed a desire to be buried in Washington, D.C., or Plains, Georgia, and his funeral will be held publicly in Washington and Atlanta. Specific details about the funeral and procession will be announced later.
President Joe Biden confirmed that he had been asked to deliver a eulogy at Carter’s funeral. Former President Donald Trump and President Bill Clinton also issued statements honouring Carter. Trump acknowledged the challenges Carter faced and praised his efforts to improve the lives of Americans. Clinton praised Carter for his achievements in civil rights, environmental protection, Middle East peace efforts, and his role in returning the Panama Canal to Panama, describing him as someone who worked tirelessly for a better world.