Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter passed away on Sunday at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, in the southeastern United States, prompting a wave of tributes from his successors at the White House and leaders around the world.
Outgoing President Joe Biden declared a national day of mourning on January 9 in honor of the Democrat, who was praised by many foreign leaders for his commitment to peace and human rights far beyond his single term in office (1977–1981).
“Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2002, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family,” announced his foundation, the Carter Center, in a statement.
"My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and selfless love," said Chip Carter, the son of the former Democratic leader, as quoted by the foundation.
All living former U.S. presidents who succeeded him quickly paid homage to the extraordinary life of a man who was never destined to become president and who was the oldest former occupant of the White House.
The Democrat and outgoing 46th President, Joe Biden, 82, called for his distant predecessor's life to be “measured by what he achieved, not by what he said,” during an address to the nation.
He announced plans for a state funeral in the federal capital, Washington, without specifying a date, for the architect of the Camp David Accords that led to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country, Egypt, but whose legacy was marred by the Iranian hostage crisis.
Republican billionaire Donald Trump, set to return to the White House on January 20, expressed his “utmost respect” for Jimmy Carter, who “worked hard to make America better.”
“He was a remarkable man,” said Democrat Barack Obama, while Democrat Bill Clinton added that Carter “worked tirelessly for a better and fairer world.” What he accomplished “will inspire generations of Americans,” Republican George W. Bush emphasized.
In 2015, Jimmy Carter announced that he was suffering from brain cancer and had been receiving home care for nearly two years.
After a series of hospitalizations, he had, in February 2023, “chosen to spend the time he had left” at home, surrounded by his loved ones. He received palliative care there.
Elected officials, leaders, and civil society figures quickly paid tribute to the career of this unconventional president, a former military officer and owner of a family peanut farm.
His wife and steadfast companion, Rosalynn, passed away by his side on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96. She was buried in Plains after a national tribute. Frail and gaunt, Jimmy Carter was present for one of his rare public appearances in recent years.
Camp David and the Hostage Crisis
Jimmy Carter was elected to the White House in 1976, in an America still reeling from the Watergate scandal that had forced President Richard Nixon to resign.
He served only one term as president.
As the architect of the Camp David Accords that, in March 1979, led to the signing of the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, the 39th President of the United States faced harsh domestic criticism during the Iran hostage crisis.
The announcement on April 24, 1980, of the failure of the military mission to secure their release crushed his hopes of reelection.
In 1982, after leaving the White House, Jimmy Carter founded the Carter Center to promote development, health, and conflict resolution worldwide.
He had gradually withdrawn from public life, for instance, not attending Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony in January 2021, a traditional event for former presidents. However, a few months later, Jimmy Carter hosted the Democratic leader in his small hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he had lived since leaving Washington.
With AFP
Comments