The nation is mourning the loss of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 98. The news of his death has prompted Americans to reflect on the life and legacy of the peanut farmer turned politician from Plains, Georgia, who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. While Carter’s one-term presidency was marred by economic challenges and foreign policy crises, his post-presidency years were marked by an unwavering commitment to humanitarianism, diplomacy, and tireless activism that earned him widespread admiration and a Nobel Peace Prize.
Born James Earl Carter Jr. on October 1, 1924, in the small farming town of Plains, Georgia, Carter grew up in a modest family and developed a strong work ethic and a deep religious faith that would shape his life and career. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, Carter served as a submarine officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. But following the death of his father in 1953, Carter resigned his naval commission and returned to Georgia to manage his family’s peanut farm.
Carter’s foray into politics began in 1962 when he won a seat in the Georgia State Senate as a Democrat. He served two terms before setting his sights on the Georgia governorship, which he won in 1970 on a platform of racial equality and ending corruption. As governor, Carter earned a reputation as a progressive reformer, promoting civil rights, government reorganization, and environmental protection.
The Carter Presidency: Triumphs and Challenges
In 1976, Carter launched a long-shot bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, running as an outsider and Washington reformer. With his folksy charm, toothy grin, and promise of honest leadership in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Carter captured the nomination and narrowly defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the general election.
As president, Carter faced a series of daunting challenges, including high inflation, rising unemployment, and an energy crisis. On the foreign policy front, he grappled with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iran hostage crisis, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Despite these headwinds, Carter managed to achieve several notable successes:
- Camp David Accords: In 1978, Carter brokered a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, the first Arab-Israeli peace treaty.
- Panama Canal Treaties: Carter successfully negotiated the transfer of the Panama Canal from U.S. control to Panama.
- Human Rights Champion: Carter made human rights a central focus of his foreign policy, speaking out against abuses and tying U.S. aid to a country’s human rights record.
- Education and Energy: On the domestic front, Carter created the Department of Education as a separate cabinet-level agency and promoted renewable energy and conservation.
However, these achievements were overshadowed by a struggling economy, the Iran hostage crisis, and the perception of a lack of strong leadership. In 1980, Carter faced a formidable challenge from Republican nominee Ronald Reagan, who offered a compelling vision of a resurgent America. In a decisive electoral defeat, Carter won just 49 electoral votes to Reagan’s 489.
A Post-Presidency of Purpose and Humanitarianism
Despite his crushing re-election loss, Carter refused to fade into obscurity. Instead, he embarked on a post-presidency journey marked by a relentless pursuit of peace, human rights, global health, and humanitarian causes that would redefine his legacy and earn him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
In 1982, Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing human rights, alleviating suffering, and promoting democracy around the world. Over the next four decades, the Center would monitor more than 110 elections in 39 countries, work to eradicate diseases like Guinea worm, and promote mental health care.
In addition to his work with the Carter Center, the former president became a prolific author, writing over 30 books on a wide range of subjects, including his presidency, his faith, Middle East peace, women’s rights, and the environment. He also became a much-sought-after speaker, using his platform to advocate for the causes he held dear.
Building a Legacy with Habitat for Humanity
Perhaps the most visible and enduring symbol of Carter’s post-presidency was his long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit housing organization that builds affordable homes for those in need. Starting in 1984, Carter and Rosalynn dedicated a week each year to building homes with Habitat, a tradition that became known as the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
Over the course of more than three decades, the Carters worked alongside nearly 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate, or repair 4,390 homes. Even well into his 90s, the former president continued to swing a hammer and inspire others with his humble service and tireless dedication to helping those less fortunate.
“That first Habitat experience, with Jimmy and Rosalynn, and the Christian community behind them, was very inspiring to me. Their intelligence, strength, kindness, generosity, humility and work ethic were examples for us all. They taught me about leadership that trusts others to play important roles. The results have been a worldwide force for good.”
– Millard Fuller, Habitat for Humanity Co-Founder
A Mixed Presidential Legacy, but an Enduring Example of Service
As historians assess Jimmy Carter’s presidency, they often point to the economic and foreign policy challenges that undermined his administration and cost him re-election. Some argue that Carter’s leadership style, characterized by his penchant for micromanagement and his difficulty in building coalitions in Washington, limited his effectiveness as president.
However, even Carter’s harshest critics acknowledge his fundamental decency, integrity, and commitment to moral leadership. In an era of increasing political cynicism and partisan rancor, Carter’s presidency stands out as an example of a leader who sought to do what he believed was right, even if it meant sacrificing his own political fortunes.
Ultimately, it may be Carter’s post-presidency that cements his legacy as one of the most consequential former presidents in American history. Through his tireless work with the Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity, and numerous other humanitarian causes, Carter demonstrated that a former president could leverage his status and moral authority to make a meaningful difference in the world.
As the nation mourns the passing of this remarkable public servant, it is worth reflecting on the example he set and the enduring impact he made. In a statement released by the Carter Center, the former president’s family said, “His faith in the goodness of people, a driving force in his life and work, inspired all who met him to do and be their best. We will miss him, but his legacy of charity and service to others will endure.”
Jimmy Carter’s legacy is one of a life well-lived, marked by a deep commitment to his faith, his family, and his unwavering belief in the power of individuals to make a difference. As we remember this humble peanut farmer turned president, let us strive to follow his example of service, compassion, and moral leadership, and work to build a world that reflects his vision of peace, justice, and human dignity for all.
