His work after the White House made Jimmy Carter a standout (original) (raw)

Jimmy Carter’s post-presidency lasted more than 43 years — the longest of any former commander in chief by more than a decade. But it’s what he packed into those years that probably set him apart for all time.

Whether he was building houses for the poor in the United States and abroad, monitoring elections in some of the world’s most turbulent, troubled countries or tackling the eradication of a tropical disease that once afflicted millions of people, Carter lived his convictions.

Jimmy Carter: The life of the 39th president

Jimmy Carter, a steel-willed Southern governor who was elected president in 1976, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Dec. 29, according to his son James E. Carter III, known as Chip. He was 100 and the oldest living U.S. president of all time.

The funeral: Services to honor Carter will begin Jan. 4 in his home state of Georgia and conclude Jan. 9 with a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy. Carter will lie in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol for three days. Here’s what we know about the memorial services for Carter.

The un-celebrity president: Carter’s simple and modest lifestyle was rare, in sharp contrast to his successors. He declined corporate board memberships and lucrative speaking engagements, and decided that his income would come from writing. He wrote 33 books and helped renovate 4,300 homes for Habitat for Humanity.

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter: Rosalynn Carter, a close political and policy adviser to her husband, died Nov. 19, 2023. The Carters were married for more than 77 years, the longest presidential marriage in U.S. history. Their love story blossomed in World War II and survived the searing scrutiny of political life. Rosalynn Carter expanded the role of first lady.