Former President Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived president in recent United States history, passed away this Sunday at the age of 100. Since February 2023, Carter had been receiving hospice care at home after several brief hospital stays due to health issues in his later years. 

Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter faced numerous medical challenges. In 2015, he underwent surgery to remove a small mass from his liver, and shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to other parts of his body.

He later revealed that he had melanoma in his brain, but after undergoing treatment, doctors confirmed by the end of that year that the cancer was gone. 

The slow demise of the former president

In 2019, at 94, the former president suffered a hip fracture that forced him to step back temporarily from his longtime role teaching Sunday school at his church in Plains, Georgia.

Later that year, he experienced another fall, sustaining head injuries, yet Carter continued fulfilling public commitments, including a trip to Nashville to speak at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. His humor and determination remained strong despite these setbacks. 

On February 18, 2023, the Carter Center announced that Jimmy Carter would begin receiving hospice care at home, surrounded by family and supported by his medical team, choosing not to pursue further medical interventions.

This period led up to his 100th birthday on October 1, 2024, when he became the first United States president to reach a century. President Joe Biden sent his congratulations, and thousands of children sent cards to celebrate the milestone. 

Jimmy Carter’s life stood out not only for his presidency from 1977 to 1981 but also for his later work in human rights, international diplomacy, and philanthropy. His legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to peace, social justice, and integrity, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the United States and the world.