The Carter Center announced that former US President Jimmy Carter passed away at his home in Plains City, Georgia on December 29 (US time), at the age of 100, according to AFP. Mr. Carter had previously been cared for at a nursing home in Plains since mid-February 2023.
After Mr. Carter passed away, US President Joe Biden declared January 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning for Mr. Carter.
Former President Carter passed away at the age of 100, America lost ‘an extraordinary leader’
From farmer to president
Mr. Jimmy Carter was born in Plains City in 1924 and lived in a family with difficult circumstances, according to BBC. When his father died in 1953, Mr. Carter gave up a seven-year career in the Navy as a submariner to run the family farm, and gradually did well.
He joined politics in the 1960s, was elected as a Georgia state senator and became Governor of Georgia in 1970. Won the US Presidential election in 1976, then officially took office as the second president. 39 of the United States on January 20, 1977.
On April 7, 1980, President Jimmy Carter announced a new embargo against Iran in retaliation for the capture of American hostages.
After taking office as president, many problems quickly befell Mr. Carter. Domestically, the oil crisis caused high inflation and unemployment, and Mr. Carter then had to try to persuade Americans to accept austerity measures. The pinnacle of Mr. Carter’s achievements as US President was the signing of the Camp David Agreement in 1978, in which Egypt officially recognized the state of Israel. Mr. Carter also signed an agreement to return the Panama Canal to Panama.
But then, he faced many disadvantages in international affairs. First, the Shah of Iran was overthrown in February 1979 and 66 Americans were taken hostage in Tehran in November 1979. The following month, the Soviet Union sent troops to Afghanistan. Accordingly, the US boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Mr. Carter severed diplomatic relations and issued an embargo on Iran.
However, the American people rated then-President Carter as lacking toughness, so his support rate dropped. When the attempt to rescue the hostages failed and eight US soldiers died, Mr. Carter seemed to become weaker, according to BBC.
Mr. Jimmy Carter and Cuban President Fidel Castro at an event in Havana (Cuba) on May 14, 2002
Change legacy
Mr. Carter’s failed re-election bid made him the first sitting elected president since 1932. However, in the more than 30 years since then, as a world statesman, the former President Carter had many activities that helped change his legacy while in office.
After leaving the White House, Mr. Carter became a diplomat and world mediator under the auspices of the Carter Center. This center was founded by him in 1982, headquartered in the capital city of Atlanta, Georgia.
He worked behind the scenes to keep the Middle East peace process on track, and persuaded then-North Korean President Kim Il Sung to open discussions with South Korea. Mr. Carter also led a delegation that persuaded leaders in Haiti to relinquish power in 1994 and brokered a ceasefire in Bosnia.
He continued to gain international fame for his work promoting human rights and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote peace globally. Since 2007, Mr. Carter has been a member of The Elders, a group committed to working for peace and human rights founded by the late South African President Nelson Mandela.
Leaders of many countries such as England, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Cuba, Panama and Egypt… yesterday expressed condolences on the passing of former US President Jimmy Carter and praised him. according to AFP.
In addition, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country expressed “deep condolences” on Mr. Carter’s passing. “Former President Carter was the one who promoted and made the decision to establish diplomatic relations between China and the US,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ninh emphasized.
