Former US President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday today, October 1, becoming the first US president to reach this remarkable milestone. Carter, who has been receiving hospice care for the past 19 months, reached this historic age at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter served as the 39th president of the United States after being elected in 1976. His grandson, Jason Carter, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” quoting Carter’s lighthearted comment about his milestone.
Before his presidency, Carter held positions as both a senator and governor of Georgia. He sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976, positioning himself as a centrist reformer in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Carter, alongside running mate Walter Mondale, defeated incumbent President Gerald Ford by 297 to 241 electoral votes.
Carter’s presidency, which lasted from 1977 to 1981, is remembered for significant achievements such as the Camp David Accords, which helped bring peace between Israel and Egypt, incorporating human rights into U.S. foreign policy, and taking a firm stance against the Soviet Union.
After losing his re-election bid to Ronald Reagan, Carter dedicated his post-presidential life to humanitarian work. He played a pivotal role in expanding Habitat for Humanity globally and founded the Carter Center, promoting human rights—a commitment that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
At 100, Carter has outlived all former US presidents. His closest rival, George H.W. Bush, passed away in 2018 at 94. Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford both lived to 93, while John Adams and Herbert Hoover reached 90.
Carter’s centennial comes just 10 days after his life and legacy were honored with a star-studded concert at Atlanta’s Fox Theater, featuring performances by Georgia’s own B-52’s and covers of The Allman Brothers’ greatest hits.
Absent from his 100th birthday celebration was his beloved wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away last November at the age of 96.
