Former US President Jimmy Carter Celebrates 100th Birthday, Reports Reuters

Jimmy Carter, the Nobel laureate who holds the record as the longest-living U.S. president, celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday.

Carter, a Democrat, served as president for one term from January 1977 to January 1981. After his presidency, he dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts that included advocating for human rights and combatting poverty globally, leading to his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

This milestone birthday comes 19 months after he entered hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia. The occasion is celebrated with a tribute concert featuring renowned artists from the country, rock, and gospel music genres, recorded at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre last month. The event raised over $1 million for the international programs of the Carter Center, which he co-founded with his late wife, Rosalynn Carter. His grandson, Jason Carter, stated that the former president plans to watch the concert on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had a 77-year marriage, with Rosalynn passing away in November 2023. Carter was last seen in public at her funeral, where he appeared frail and was in a wheelchair.

In February 2023, due to cancer and other health issues, Carter opted to cease medical treatments and enter hospice care.

In a birthday tribute, U.S. President Joe Biden commended Carter as “a moral force for our nation and the world,” expressing appreciation for his hopeful vision, commitment to a better world, and belief in the goodness of humanity.

The Carters have been actively involved with the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity International since the 1980s, regularly volunteering to help build homes for those impacted by poverty or disasters.

To honor Carter’s birthday, numerous Habitat volunteers, including country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, will construct 30 homes in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, emphasized that the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project is a tribute to the Carters’ legacy and a testament to what can be achieved when people unite for a common cause.