On October 1, 2023, former US President Jimmy Carter made history as the first American president to reach 100 years of age. Carter, who served from 1977 to 1981, has spent the last 19 months in hospice care at his home in Georgia. Despite this, he remains emotionally engaged, and his family describes him as still laughing and enjoying life.
Carter’s post-presidency has been remarkable. Unlike other former presidents who focused on lucrative ventures, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, including building homes with Habitat for Humanity, eradicating diseases like Guinea worm, and winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His 77-year marriage to Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023, is the longest of any first couple in US history.
Carter’s 100th birthday celebration has been marked with events including a star-studded concert in Atlanta, raising over $1.2 million for The Carter Center, and the construction of 30 homes in his honor by Habitat for Humanity. A flyover and naturalization ceremony for 100 new US citizens in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, are also part of the festivities.
Carter’s longevity and contributions have sparked broader conversations about aging, hospice care, and America’s social safety net. His milestone underscores the rising trend of people living to 100 in the US, even as programs like Social Security and Medicare face long-term challenges. While Carter signed legislation in the 1970s to stabilize Social Security, the debate over the future of these programs continues today, with neither major political candidate addressing the issue in depth.
As Carter turns 100, he remains a symbol of resilience and service, inspiring Americans with his lifelong commitment to humanitarian work and social justice.
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