Former President Jimmy Carter Dies Months After His 100th Birthday
By Afouda Bamidele on December 29, 2024 at 4:30 PM EST
Updated on December 29, 2024 at 4:32 PM EST
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, has passed on to join his beloved wife Rosalynn Carter.
The former politician once defied the odds by celebrating his first anniversary of being in hospice care at 99.
President Jimmy Carter is survived by his four children, multiple grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Former President Jimmy Carter Takes His Final Breath
Former President Jimmy Carter passed away today.
His son, James E. Carter III, confirmed that he passed away at his home in Plains, GA, per The Washington Post.
In February 2023, the Carter Center announced that the former president was moved to hospice care and that he "decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family."
Jimmy's Grandson Revealed He Was Barely Conscious Before His Death
The former president's grandson, Jason Carter, got candid about his days in hospice care while speaking to Southern Living in June 2024. He revealed his grandfather was not the man he used to be at 99.
Jason explained that Jimmy was barely conscious at that point of his hospice journey, but that did not stop his loved ones from visiting him frequently. However, the former politician's loved ones could never predict the state their father would be in.
"[He's] experiencing the world as best he can as he continues through this process," Jason said, noting that there had been "really been no change" in Jimmy's health in months. The doting grandson believed a part of him died with his wife, Rosalynn Carter.
"After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it's like for him right now," Jason explained, to PEOPLE, adding: "We have to embrace that fact that there's things about the spirit that you just can't understand."
The Former Politician Spent His Final Days Cherishing His Wife's Memory
Before Rosalynn died in November 2023, her husband remained an active humanitarian who built homes and taught at Sunday school well into his 90s. However, he joined hospice care while she was still alive and chose to spend his final days treasuring their memories.
In February 2023, Jimmy began hospice care in the same Plains residence he and Rosalynn built in 1961. He kept a low profile since terminating medical intervention, but the spotlight was nothing compared to his longtime home.
"[Plains] is the place that has given him the greatest support, and it is the only place where he would go through this part of his life," Jason stressed in his interview. "That's his home in every way, and he really cherished that time and that support."
Jason believed the town was a significant part of his grandparents' lives because they originated from the Plains. Therefore, it made sense that they were buried beside each other near their Plains residence.
The Carters Gave Their Residence To The National Park Services
Jimmy's grandson doubled down on the Plains being a "fundamental part" of his grandfather's life and the type of man he was, saying: "There is no other place in the world that he would be at peace other than Plains."
The 39th US president proved his love for the Plains by donating his and Rosalynn's residence to the National Park Service. The organization plans to commemorate the couple's lives by turning their home into a museum.
"It is such an American story... to go to Plains and see the house that my grandparents built and lived in for all their time and came home to after being president," Jason explained. "It is a really incredible story to go from that little town to the White House and back again."
Jimmy Carter Marked His First Anniversary Of Hospice Care
In February, The Blast reported that Jimmy had defied the odds by surviving a year of hospice care when many believed his last days were near. Multiple people, including Professor Douglas Brinkley, marked the milestone in his honor.
Brinkley applauded Jimmy's resilience during an appearance on CBS News' "Face the Nation." The Professor of History at Rice University said:
"It is tough when you're 99, but Carter has a lot of will. He's alert and eating and has an ability to understand what's going on around him. I'm hoping he makes it to October 1st, 2024, so we can have Jimmy Carter at 100 years old, and we can celebrate."
Brinkley noted that Jimmy also "beat cancer before" and praised him for achieving multiple goals during his presidential reign. He also hailed the late politician as someone who truly loved the people.
