Former US President Jimmy Carter Passes Away at Age 100

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Former President Jimmy Carter Passes Away

Former US President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100.

Carter’s death was announced by the Carter Center, the non-profit organization associated with the late president, along with a statement from his son Chip. According to the statement, Carter died peacefully surrounded by his family, making him the longest-living president in US history.

Legacy of Peace and Humanity

Chip spoke fondly of his father, stating: “My father was a hero not only to me, but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and selfless love. My siblings and I shared it with the rest of the world through these shared beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live by these shared beliefs.”

President Carter, whose full name is James Earl Carter Jr., served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Beyond his role in the presidency, he is widely recognized for his humanitarian efforts and his promotion of music in political spheres.

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Carter’s love for music enabled him to advocate for its cultural significance and to foster connections among people. His friendships with music legends like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and the Allman Brothers earned him the title of President of Rock and Roll.

President Jimmy Carter and Willie Nelson. Photo: Thomas S. England/Getty Images

Carter’s passion for music was explored in the 2020 documentary Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President. Bob Dylan remarked in the film: “(Carter) put me at ease by not talking down to me and by showing me that he truly appreciated the songs I wrote. He is a rare kind of soul mate for me.”

This ability to connect across political divides resulted in notable figures like John Lennon and John Wayne attending his inauguration celebration in 1977, which featured Aretha Franklin performing “God Bless America.” Paul Simon also dedicated “An American Melody” to the president.

During his presidency, Carter and his administration often hosted concerts and musical guests at the White House, featuring talents such as Dolly Parton, Charles Mingus, Willie Nelson, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

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In a recently published Rolling Stone, Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers spoke about his friendship with Carter, recalling, “He and I became close and he asked us if we would help with his campaign[for benefit concerts]. We met with governors and people like that, but they never really included us. Jimmy was a friend of rock music, so a lot of the guys helped him a lot.”

Jimmy Carter. Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images

Besides his musical outreach, Carter was a committed philanthropist and humanitarian, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his “decades of tireless efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, promote democracy and human rights, and develop the economy and social development.”

Carter’s 100th birthday was celebrated in September with performances by Killer Mike, Drive-by Truckers, Eric Church, and others.

Tributes to Carter quickly emerged following the announcement of his passing on Sunday (December 29). Below are some of the messages, including those from current President Joe Biden, King Charles, and more.


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