Former US President Jimmy Carter has died aged 100
It was only recently I'd heard he'd entered hospice care so didn't have long left. Even though he was president before my time it's still sad.Former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter has died at 100.
On Sunday the longest-lived American president passed away more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives.
At aged 52, Mr Carter became the 39th US president, taking office in 1977.
He built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian and earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
The Carter Center said “our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” on the social media platform X and added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love.
“My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs.
“The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
World leaders have have paid tribute to Mr Carter including President Joe Biden who said the world had "lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian."
A statement by Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said: "Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.
"With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe."
"We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts", he added.
The president said he has ordered an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C but no date yet has been given.
The flag above the White House has been lowered to half-mast out of respect and the Empire State Building in New York has been lit up in Red, White and Blue to "honour the life and legacy" of the former president.
Donald Trump says he and Melania are thinking of the Carter family and has urged people to keep them in their "hearts and prayers".
In a statement on Trust social, the president-elect said: "I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History.
"The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.
"Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.
The Democrat defeated former president Gerald Ford in the presidential election in 1976 during the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War.
The Georgian governor served for just one term in office until 1980 when he was defeated by Ronald Regan.
For his Nobel Prize, Mr Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan.
Statistics: Posted by EnterpriseSovereign — 2024-12-29 06:13pm