James Earl Carter Jr. was an American politician who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.
Early Life and Family
James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, at the Wise Sanitarium, where his mother was a registered nurse. He was the first United States president born in a hospital. His father was a prosperous local businessman who operated a general store and invested in farmland. Carter’s father had been a reserve second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps during World War I. Growing up on his family’s peanut farm, he embraced the value of hard work.
On July 7, 1946, Carter married Rosalynn Smith in the Plains Methodist Church, which belonged to Rosalynn’s family. They had three sons, Jack, James III “Chip”, and Donnel, and one daughter, Amy.
On July 7, 2023, the Carters celebrated their 77th anniversary. They became the longest-wed presidential couple on Oct. 19, 2019. Rosalynn Carter died at 77 in November 2023.
Education and Naval Career
Jimmy Carter graduated from Plains High School in 1941, completing the 11th grade because the school did not have a twelfth grade. Carter had long dreamed of going to the United States Naval Academy.
He received an appointment to the Naval Academy from U.S. Representative Stephen Pace in 1943 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1946. He was a naval officer, working on submarines and studying nuclear technology. After his father died in 1953, he returned to Georgia to run the family farm, turning it around with success and considerable investment.
Political Career
Carter embarked on his political career with the Sumter County Board of Education during the civil rights era, where he was a progressive voice on desegregation. He joined state politics by winning a seat in the Georgia state Senate in 1962, serving until he was elected governor in 1970. Carter’s political ascension peaked with his successful run for the presidency in 1976 against rich sitting president Gerald Ford, riding a wave of clean-cut honesty to victory in the fallout of Watergate.
Presidency Highlights
Jimmy Carter accomplished major feats as president. He mediated the Camp David Accords, which resulted in peace between Egypt and Israel. He also created the Departments of Energy and Education. However, his presidency also faced trouble, including the Iran hostage crisis and economic woes.
Post-Presidency and Humanitarian Work
After his presidency, Carter devoted himself to humanitarian work. He and Rosalynn established the Carter Center in 1982, devoted to human rights and disease eradication. He also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, constructing houses for those in need.” In 2002, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his continuous efforts at peace and resolution of international conflicts.
Controversies
Carter’s presidency faced several controversies. His administration was marked by the Iran hostage crisis, during which 52 Americans were held for 444 days. Economic challenges, such as elevated inflation and joblessness, were criticized.
Net Worth
Jimmy Carter had an estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2024.
Awards
In 1984, Carter received the American Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award. Carter also received the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights, a prize that honors major accomplishments in the advancement of human rights, and the Hoover Medal, awarded to engineers whose achievements have positively impacted their communities worldwide.
In November 2024, Carter secured his 10th Grammy Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Album, recognizing his audio recordings of books. He won three times for Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis (2007), A Full Life: Reflections at 90 (2016), and Faith: A Journey For All (2018).
Death
Jimmy Carter died at home in Plains, Georgia, on Dec. 29, 2024, at 100. He was the longest-lived president in American history and the first 100-year-old president. His death came after he chose to enter hospice care in February 2023.
Legacy
The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum was established in 1986. The following year, the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park was created as a National Historic Site and was redesigned as a national historical park in 2021.
On Feb. 21, 2024, the White House Historical Association launched its official 2024 White House Christmas ornament honoring Carter’s naval service and peacemaking efforts. This was the first time a president was honored and alive for the unveiling.
The Carters leave behind a loving legacy, including their four children, Amy, Chip, Jack, and Jeff, along with 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
