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Jimmy Carter turns 100 on Tuesday, marking another milestone for the former president who is the longest-living commander in chief in U.S. history.

He was born James Earl Carter Jr. on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia and still lives there. Carter, a Democrat known for his early career as a peanut farmer, was elected a state senator and governor of Georgia before serving as the country's 39th president from 1977 to 1981.

When he left office, he and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, departed, founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization promoting democracy and global development. In 2002, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote economic and social development, negotiate peaceful solutions to international conflicts, and advocate for human rights.

In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to his brain. He entered hospice care in February 2023, and his grandson Jason Carter said at an event at the Carter Center in May that the former president was “coming to the end.” But weeks later, Jason Carter said he was sticking to voting in the upcoming presidential election.

The first US president to live to be 100 years old

Carter is the longest-living president and the first in U.S. history to reach 100 years old.

The other longest-living presidents were some of the leaders who served immediately before and after Carter. George HW Bush died in 2018 at age 94, Gerald Ford died in 2006 at age 93, and Ronald Reagan died in 2004 at age 93.

The country's current president, Joe Biden, also holds an age record. At 81, he is the oldest commander in chief. However, that record could be broken by 78-year-old former President Donald Trump if he wins this fall.

Vote for Harris

As Carter approached his milestone birthday, he told his family that he wanted to help his fellow Democrats defeat Trump in November.

“He cares”: Jimmy Carter's grandson says his grandfather is 'involved in the news' as he approaches his 100th birthday

“I’m just trying to vote for Kamala Harris,” Carter told his son Chip, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Jason Carter spoke on the second night of the Democratic National Convention and confirmed that the former president plans to cast his vote for Harris. He told the crowd of his fellow Democrats that she was the candidate who best embodied his grandfather's legacy as a soldier.

“It reminds us all that the promise of America remains unchanged,” he said at the convention. “We are one nation, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all, and my grandfather knows we will keep that promise with her as our next president.”

Almost 20 months in hospice

Jason Carter told USA TODAY in August that his grandfather “physically doesn't do much on his own” these days but is still mentally preoccupied with current events, including the 2024 election.

The former president spent over a year and a half in hospice care.

February marked a year for Carter – a longer than average period. Although every person is different, three out of four hospice patients spent less than three months in end-of-life care, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

In a statement announcing Carter would be entering hospice care, the Carter Center said the former president's family was “grateful for the many expressions of love they have received and for their continued respect for their privacy throughout this period.” Time”.

And they added: “The family is pleased that his decision last year to enter hospice care has sparked so much family discussion across the country about an important issue.”

While about 10% of patients spend more than 264 days in hospice, Dr. Tammie Quest, director of the Palliative Care Center at Emory University in Georgia, said Carter's situation was not surprising in the eyes of doctors and medical experts.

“We find that when you add all of these factors together, when you add all of these factors together, patients do far better when we can reduce suffering and support family caregivers who are caring for patients,” Quest told USA TODAY in February.

Rosalynn Carter's legacy

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married for 77 years, the longest married couple in presidential history. The former first lady died in November. She was 96.

Rosalynn Carter is considered a mental health champion and entered hospice care herself just days before her death. She and the former president had four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

“She was a great woman”: Rosalynn Carter memorials honor the historic first lady

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Jimmy Carter said in a statement from the Carter Center at the time of her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew someone loved and supported me.”

She is also credited with establishing the role of First Lady as a full-time job. Rosalynn Carter was the first presidential wife to set up her office in the East Wing of the White House and hire a full staff.

The last time Jimmy Carter was seen publicly on the national stage was at her funeral in November.

Contributor: Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY

Reach Rachel Barber at [email protected] and on X @rachelbarber_. Reach Savannah Kuchar at [email protected] and X @savannahkuchar.

On By John Fenwick

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