Jimmy Carter, the 100-year-old former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has passed away, according to a statement from his nonprofit organization, The Carter Center, on Sunday, 29 December 2024.

Carter died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he had been in hospice care since February 2023. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

Carter, who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to lead the nation from 1977 to 1981, was the longest-living U.S. president and the oldest former U.S. leader. His son, Chip Carter, described his father as "a hero" who believed in peace, human rights, and selfless love.

The former president had endured a tumultuous single term in office, with key moments such as the Camp David Accords, where he brokered a peace deal between Israel and Egypt, but also faced major challenges, including the Iranian hostage crisis and the 1980 oil crisis. These setbacks contributed to his loss to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election, leaving Carter to serve only one term.

However, Carter’s legacy was shaped by his significant post-presidency work, which began with the founding of The Carter Center in 1982. His efforts to promote global diplomacy, human rights, and social justice earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter also became a prominent international mediator, involved in election observation and peace efforts from North Korea to Bosnia.

A devout Christian, Carter’s faith played a central role throughout his life, including in his presidency and later years. He taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains until his 90s.

In recent years, Carter battled health challenges, including a diagnosis of brain cancer in 2015, but continued to defy expectations with his resilience. He is survived by his wife, Rosalynn, who passed away in November 2023 at age 96, and their four children.

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who also serves as a pastor, expressed his condolences, praising Carter for his faith and commitment to justice. "Across life’s seasons, President Jimmy Carter, a man of great faith, has walked with God," Warnock wrote.

Carter's passing marks the end of a remarkable life that touched countless individuals worldwide through his leadership, humanitarian work, and unwavering principles.