James Earl “Jimmy” Carter—the 39th president of the United States who became known as a global humanitarian after his political career largely ended—has died at age 100.
The longest-lived U.S. president died about 22 months after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, spent most of their lives, the AP noted. She died in 2023 at age 96.
Tributes poured in from around the world. Outgoing President Joe Biden stated that the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and that he lost a dear friend. The Carter Center, which Jimmy and Rosalyn founded, issued a statement saying, in part, “President Carter believed in giving every effort, as broadly as possible, to make a positive difference in the world. His legacy will remain an ongoing inspiration to us at The Carter Center and to everyone who believes in compassion, justice, and human rights.”
During the 2024 election cycle, Carter expressed his eagerness to cast his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. In a statement, Harris said, “President Jimmy Carter was guided by a deep and abiding faith—in God, in America, and in humanity. “
She added, “I had the privilege of knowing President Carter for years. I will always remember his kindness, wisdom, and profound grace. His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come. Our world is a better place because of President Carter.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley said in a statement, “Jimmy Carter was a good president but, more importantly, a good man. During his time in office, he championed environmental justice and helped orchestrate the Camp David Accords, brokering a peace between Israel and Egypt that endures to his day and helping ensure the survival of the state of Israel.”
While in office, Carter, a Democrat, also worked on the SALT II nuclear weapons agreement and signed the Panama Canal treaties that gave control of the canal to Panama, according to NPR. However, he also faced problems such as double-digit inflation, an energy crisis and the Iran hostage crisis.
Carter was a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community, according to The Advocate. “All of us at the Human Rights Campaign feel an immense loss with the passing of former President Jimmy Carter,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “In recent years, he became a prominent voice in support of LGBTQ+ rights, speaking out for marriage equality at a time when most national leaders in the U.S. still opposed it.”
In 1977, Carter’s administration welcomed gay-rights activists to the White House, becoming the first to do so. In 2005, he talked with The Advocate, saying, “I’m a worshipper of Jesus Christ, who never mentioned homosexuals in any way—certainly not in a deleterious fashion. And when it has been mentioned in the New Testament, it’s been combined with things like selfishness or something like that. So I’ve never looked upon it as any sort of reason to condemn a person. I think it’s an inherent characteristic just like other things that we do with our lives.”
The following year, Carter said at Emory University that marriage rights should be decided on a state-by-state basis and, in 2015, told HuffPost, “I don’t see that gay marriage damages anyone else. … I believe Jesus would approve gay marriage. That’s just my own personal opinion.”
In 2007, he urged the military to end its “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which President Barack Obama ended in 2011.
“President Carter was the epitome of Christian love and charity,” said Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). “Pundits and politicians can debate the successes and foibles of his presidency, but no one questions his sincere love for humankind, nor his devotion to the principles of Christ. As longtime advocates for LGBT equality, MCC also applauds President Carter’s bold stances on such issues.”
“Jimmy Carter was an amazing president and human being,” said Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, the previous moderator of MCC. “He was the first President to welcome gay rights leaders into the White House, and I was honored to lead the first contingent of LGBT faith leaders to the White House in 1980. His leadership was the most progressive on our issues in history. He was a Bible teacher, a servant leader, a global peacemaker, someone of whom every American and citizen of the world can be proud. May his memory inspire us to live up to our ideals.”
Quigley praised Carter’s humanitarian efforts, noting that “his greatest accomplishments came after his presidency. While his electoral defeat may have crushed a lesser man, President Carter only redoubled his efforts to serve the public, becoming in the process the greatest former president our nation has ever known. His work, alongside former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, at the Carter Center, with Habitat for Humanity, and his successful two-decade-long effort to eradicate the guinea worm made him the epitome of a public servant. Those of us in elected office should look to President Carter’s example as a model for what we aspire to after leaving office.”
Carter’s post-presidency “was perhaps the most productive era of President Carter’s life,” said U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García. “His efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to unwaveringly advance human rights and alleviate human suffering, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize decades after leaving the White House. His steadfast pursuit of truth and peace leaves a powerful legacy to uphold.”
In lieu of flowers, Carter requested that those wishing to honor his memory do so through contributions to The Carter Center and acts of service to humanity. Visit www.JimmyCarterTribute.org to learn more.