In 2023, the Carter Center announced that the 39th President of the United States was battling malignant melanoma. He spent his final years at home under the care of a medical team. He was also the longest-serving president in U.S. history.
“My father was a hero, not just to me but to all who believe in peace, human rights and selfless love,” his son, James E. Carter III, said in a statement.
“My siblings and I shared Dad with the world through these common values. Dad made the world his family by bringing people together. We thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live by these values.”
Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, he served as a submarine engineer before entering politics. He was elected Governor of Georgia in 1971 and later became President of the United States from 1977 to 1981.
During his presidency, he attempted to maintain a policy of de-escalation with the Soviet Union. RT reported that in 1979, he and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT II Agreement, which aimed to limit the arms race between the two superpowers. However, the agreement was not ratified by the US Senate due to rising tensions after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979.
Carter viewed the Soviet war in Afghanistan as a threat to American interests and imposed a series of sanctions, including an economic embargo and a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. He also secretly supported the CIA in training and arming anti-Soviet Mujahideen fighters, contributing to the Soviet withdrawal and the eventual rise of the Taliban.
In 1978, Mr. Carter played a key role in negotiating the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, marking the first time an Arab country recognized Israel. He also laid the groundwork for the return of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control in 1999.
At home, Mr. Carter focused on controlling inflation and promoting environmental protection policies. He created the Department of Energy and the Department of Education as part of a government reorganization strategy.
However, his tenure was overshadowed by the Iran hostage crisis, when US diplomats were held for 444 days. The hostages were not released until after Ronald Reagan was sworn in in January 1981.
After leaving the White House, Mr. Carter devoted much of his life to humanitarian work. He founded the Carter Center in 1982, which focuses on promoting democracy and protecting human rights.
In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to humanity.
