Jimmy Carter turns 100: a legacy of human rights and humanitarian work

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Former United States President Jimmy Carter has turned 100, with celebrations reflecting on his lasting impact beyond his single term in office. Carter, who marked his birthday from his home in Plains, Georgia, where he has been under hospice care since last year, is both the oldest living president and the longest-living president in U.S. history.

Despite serving only one term from 1977 to 1981, Carter's legacy is defined by his work on human rights and humanitarian causes after leaving office. He was praised for his dedication to promoting equality and working with vulnerable populations worldwide. In a recent interview, his grandson Jason Carter highlighted his respect for others and commitment to telling the truth and promoting human rights.

Carter’s birthday was celebrated with a concert in Atlanta in September, featuring video tributes from several former U.S. presidents. His life’s work, including overseeing elections, promoting public health, and advancing human rights through the Carter Center, was praised during the event. The Carter Center’s work in near-eradicating the Guinea worm disease and his continued involvement with Habitat for Humanity were mentioned as key accomplishments. In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in peace negotiations and social welfare.

Carter's willingness to speak out on sensitive issues has made his post-presidency particularly notable. In 2006, he publicly criticized Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling them “apartheid” and condemning the silence around this issue. This stance was unusual among U.S. political figures and opened the door for further discussions about U.S.-Israel relations.

Born in 1924, Carter grew up working in his family’s peanut farming business before joining the U.S. Navy and eventually entering politics. After serving as governor of Georgia, Carter won the 1976 presidential election, defeating Republican Gerald Ford. His time in office saw challenges like economic struggles and the Iran hostage crisis, which contributed to his defeat by Ronald Reagan in 1980.

In the years since, Carter has remained active in U.S. politics, earning admiration for his dedication to humanitarian causes. President Joe Biden, in a message marking Carter’s 100th birthday, praised his “moral clarity” and expressed gratitude for their friendship.

As Carter reaches this milestone, his family has noted that he remains hopeful about living to see the upcoming 2024 election, where he plans to vote for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.