Photos show Jimmy Carter's inspiring life, from humble beginnings to turning 100 years old

Erin McDowellOct 1, 2024, 23:47 IST

Jimmy Carter was raised on a peanut farm, but he eventually became president and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in the farming community of Plains, Georgia.
Carter went on to serve in the US Navy and was sworn in as president in 1977.

Jimmy Carter is celebrating his 100th birthday, making him the oldest living president as well as the nation's longest-lived president.

The former president's decades in the public eye have made him one of the most respected and beloved figures in American politics. His marriage to Rosalynn Carter lasted 77 years, ending with her death in November 2023. It was the longest marriage of any presidential couple in US history.

Here's a look back at Jimmy Carter's inspiring life, from his humble roots on his parents' peanut farm to becoming the oldest US president in history.

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in the small farming town of Plains, Georgia.

Jimmy Carter at 1 year old.Bettmann/Getty Images

The Carters were one of few landowning families in Archery.

Jimmy Carter as a boy petting a colt in a field circa 1920s.CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

Carter received a bachelor's from the United States Naval Academy.

Jimmy Carter in his US Navy uniform.Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

Jimmy Carter married Rosalynn Smith of Plains, Georgia, in 1946.

Jimmy Carter in Navy military uniform.USNA AAF

Carter went on to serve in the US Navy's Atlantic and Pacific fleets during World War II and the Korean War.

Jimmy Carter with sailors aboard USS Wyoming in 1947.Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

When his father died in 1953, Carter resigned from the Navy and returned home to take over his family's peanut farm.

Jimmy Carter on his peanut farm.PhotoQuest/Getty Images

Carter soon became known as a leader in his community.

Jimmy Carter with his dog behind a tractor on his peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, in 1970.Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Jimmy Carter became the governor of Georgia in 1971.

Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter in 1971.Bettmann/Getty Images

Carter announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination on December 12, 1974.

Jimmy Carter and his family in 1976.Library Of Congress/Getty Images

His role in the community fueled his desire to enter politics, but his work on the peanut farm became a symbol of his presidential campaign.

Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter with an unidentified supporter during a campaign event in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1976.Mikki Ansin/Getty Images

Jimmy Carter was elected to the presidency on November 2, 1976, defeating the incumbent president, Gerald Ford.

Jimmy Carter embraced his wife, Rosalynn, after receiving the final news of his victory in the national general election on November 2, 1976.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 1976, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were interviewed by Barbara Walters at their Georgia home prior to his inauguration.

Barbara Walters interviewed Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1976.Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images Photo Archives/Getty Images

Jimmy Carter was sworn in as the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977.

Jimmy Carter at his inauguration ceremony on January 20, 1977.David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter danced to a live band at the Inaugural Ball in 1977.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at the Inaugural Ball in 1977.HUM Images/Getty Images

President Carter met with world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, during his term.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Jimmy Carter.Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Throughout his presidency, Carter championed human rights and attempted to combat the country's energy shortage and economic instability.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with their grandchildren.Diana Walker/Getty Images

Carter expanded the national park system to include the protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands.

Jimmy Carter fishing during his presidency.Bettmann / Contributor/Getty Images

However, inﬂation and interest rates were at near-record highs, and his handling of the Iran Hostage Crisis saw his popularity plunge.

President Jimmy Carter at a White House briefing.Harvey Georges/AP

Carter left office in 1981 after a landslide defeat by Ronald Reagan in November 1980.

President Jimmy Carter at Merced College in 1980.Diana Walker/Getty Images

After he left office, Carter continued to spread his ideals of education and peace.

Jimmy Carter, and his wife, Rosalynn, gave members of the press a tour at a special preview of the new Carter Presidential Center in 1986.Bettmann/Getty Images

In his later years, Carter proved he was still devoted to his family and community.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended the wedding of Amy Carter and Jim Wentzel on September 1, 1996, in Plains, Georgia.Charles Plant/Handout/Getty Images

He also became the presidential face of Habitat for Humanity, a charity organization he has worked with for more than 35 years.

Jimmy Carter at a construction site for Habitat for Humanity in 1992.mark peterson/Corbis/Getty Images

For his humanitarian efforts, in 2002, Carter became the third American president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Jimmy Carter with his Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2002.Arne Knudsen/Getty Images

Jimmy and Carter Rosalynn attended the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush in 2018.

President Donald Trump, and former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter attended the funeral of George H.W. Bush in 2018.Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images

His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died in November 2023.

Jimmy Carter attended the funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter.Alex Brandon/Pool/Getty Images

At age 100, Carter is the oldest living president as well as the nation's longest-lived president.

Jimmy Carter in 2018.AP Photo/John Bazemore

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