Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, celebrated his 100th birthday on October 1, 2024, marking a historic milestone as the first U.S. president to reach the century mark.
Despite beginning hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, over 19 months ago, Carter’s longevity has defied expectations.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Carter spent his birthday in the home he built with his late wife Rosalynn in the 1960s, surrounded by 20 members of his extended family.
President Joe Biden honored Carter with a heartfelt video message, praising him as a “beloved friend” and “one of the most influential statesmen” in U.S. history.
Biden noted that Carter’s “hopeful vision of our country, commitment to a better world, and unwavering belief in the power of human goodness continues to be a guiding light for all of us”.
The White House also displayed a birthday message on its lawn, reading “Happy Birthday President Carter.” Carter’s remarkable life has been marked by his work as a global mediator, rights activist, and elder statesman.
He founded the Carter Center in 1982 to promote world diplomacy and has been recognized for his achievements, including the 1978 Camp David Accords and establishing diplomatic relations with China.
Locals in Plains, Georgia, where Carter grew up, celebrated his birthday with a concert and naturalization ceremony for 100 new U.S. citizens.
Jill Stuckey, superintendent of the National Park Service’s Jimmy Carter historical site, praised Carter, saying, “We are thrilled that the president from this little town is going to be the only president to ever live to be 100 years old”.
Despite his advanced age, Carter remains engaged in politics and plans to vote by mail-in ballot in the November election for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris.
His commitment to public service and faith has inspired many, with Stuckey noting that “healthy habits and his faith are a lot of the reasons why he is still with it today”.
