The 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, lived a life of extraordinary contrasts. He rose from humble beginnings to attain one of the most surprising victories in American presidential history, yet he also encountered significant challenges during his time in office.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter was the son of a grocer and a nurse. From an early age, he worked in his father’s store and developed a love for listening to baseball games and political discussions on the radio. His upbringing in a small-town environment shaped his character, leading to a studious and disciplined approach to life.
A devout born-again Christian, Carter attended the U.S. Naval Academy in 1943. His studies were accelerated due to World War II, and he graduated in 1946, the same year he married Rosalynn Smith, with whom he had four children. After serving in the Navy, Carter worked on nuclear submarines and was deeply influenced by Admiral Hyman Rickover, whose intellect and work ethic left a lasting impression on him.
Following his honourable discharge from the Navy in 1953, Carter returned to Plains to care for his ailing mother and took over the family farm. His political career began in 1962 when he ran for the Georgia Senate and won, despite his liberal views on civil rights in the deeply conservative state.
He made another attempt for governor in 1966 but failed. However, he reworked his political stance and successfully ran for governor again in 1970, where he was seen as a centrist reformer.
Carter’s aspirations grew, and in 1976, he entered the presidential race, defeating a field of competitors for the Democratic nomination. Running on a platform of honesty and integrity, he promised never to lie or avoid controversial issues. His campaign resonated with voters seeking an outsider, and he won the presidency, claiming an unlikely victory.
However, Carter’s presidency was marred by a series of crises. In 1979, the U.S. faced the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days. A failed military rescue operation in April 1980 further damaged his reputation. The economic turmoil, driven by stagflation, compounded the difficulties, leading to a loss of public confidence.
In response, Carter delivered a speech in July 1979, acknowledging a “crisis of confidence” within the nation, which came to be known as the “malaise” speech.
The speech followed the dismissal of several cabinet members, but it did little to restore his standing. Meanwhile, his campaign was hindered by Senator Ted Kennedy’s tough primary challenge, ultimately leaving him vulnerable to Ronald Reagan’s appeal in the 1980 election. Reagan’s victory in the general election was decisive, with Carter only winning six states and the District of Columbia.
After leaving office, Carter shifted his focus to humanitarian work, mainly through Habitat for Humanity. He dedicated much of his time to developing affordable housing for people experiencing poverty.
His efforts in promoting human rights, peace, and democracy earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. In the years following his presidency, Carter’s post-presidential work became widely regarded as the most productive in history.
In his personal life, Carter maintained a deep love for baseball, frequently attending Atlanta Braves games with Rosalynn. His health took a serious turn in 2015 when he was diagnosed with cancer, but after undergoing treatment, he announced that the lesions on his brain had disappeared. Despite health setbacks, including a fall that caused a pelvic fracture, Carter continued to lead an active life.
In 2022, on his 98th birthday, Carter celebrated with a parade in his hometown of Plains, surrounded by family. In February 2023, after a series of hospital stays, he chose to enter hospice care at home with his family by his side. His beloved wife, Rosalynn, joined him in hospice care that November, passing away shortly thereafter.
Carter’s final public appearances were at memorial services for Rosalynn, where he was seen seated in a wheelchair alongside world leaders, including President Joe Biden and former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.
Jimmy Carter will be buried beside his wife of more than six decades in a plot overlooking their home. This is a testament to their enduring love and partnership throughout their remarkable lives.
