Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday, becoming the first U.S. president to reach the century mark.
This milestone is another remarkable achievement for the former peanut farmer who rose to the nation’s highest office.
Carter’s longevity has defied all expectations, especially considering that he entered hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, more than 19 months ago.
Although he no longer makes regular public appearances, the Democratic ex-president celebrated his birthday privately at the home he and his late wife, Rosalynn, built in the 1960s.
The day included a lunch with about 20 members of his extended family, according to the *Atlanta Journal-Constitution*.
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In a video posted on his official X account, President Joe Biden praised Carter as a “beloved friend” and “one of the most influential statesmen” in U.S. history. “Your hopeful vision of our country, your commitment to a better world, and your unwavering belief in the power of human goodness continue to be a guiding light for all of us,” Biden said.
First Lady Jill Biden’s office also arranged a display on the White House lawn with the message “Happy Birthday President Carter.”
Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981 and later became a global mediator, human rights activist, and elder statesman.
His post-presidency achievements include founding the highly respected Carter Center in 1982, which has pursued diplomacy and human rights initiatives around the world.
His presidency is remembered for major achievements, such as the 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and the establishment of diplomatic relations with China.
However, his term was marred by challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis and a renewed oil crisis, which contributed to Ronald Reagan’s landslide victory in 1980.
“We are thrilled that the president from this little town is the only president to live to be 100 years old,” said Jill Stuckey, superintendent of the National Park Service’s Jimmy Carter historical site and a longtime family friend. She spoke from Plains High School, where Carter graduated in 1941, now a visitor center at the national park that includes key sites from his early life, such as the peanut farm where he grew up.
The school hosted an evening concert on Tuesday and a naturalization ceremony for 100 new U.S. citizens in honor of Carter’s birthday.
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A devout Baptist and self-described “born-again” Christian, Carter is remembered for his moral values and civility, admired even by those across the political spectrum.
“Healthy habits and his faith are why he’s still with us today,” Stuckey said, noting Carter’s dedication to fresh food and regular exercise.
Despite his age, Carter remains interested in politics and was determined to reach 100, partly so he could vote in the upcoming November election for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris. “He will be voting by mail-in ballot,” Stuckey added, emphasizing Carter’s enduring political engagement.
In Plains, where evangelical Christian values are strong, there are many yard signs supporting Republican Donald Trump, but it’s not unusual to see signs celebrating Carter’s centennial birthday alongside them.
Carl Lowell, a lifelong Plains resident, said he avoids political discussions due to the divisive climate but fondly remembers his connections to Carter, including his grandfather’s role in building the Carters’ home and a hunting trip they once took together.
“Jimmy’s a good man, he’s a godly man, and that’s what people like about him,” Lowell said.
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