Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who served as the 39th President of the United States, has been transferred to hospice care, the Carter Center announced on Saturday. The decision to move to hospice care came after he had several brief hospital stays. Rather than pursuing further medical intervention, Carter, who turned 98 in October, has chosen to spend his remaining time at home with his loved ones, receiving hospice care.
A Glimpse of Carter’s Legacy
Carter held office from 1977 to 1981, and although he left the presidency with unfavorable approval ratings, he has dedicated his life to public service. This includes his work with the nonprofit Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity. Born and raised in rural Georgia, Carter served as governor of his state before winning the 1976 election against incumbent Gerald Ford. He has always been a passionate champion for human rights, democracy, and conflict resolution. For his work in these fields, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Health Struggles
Carter has faced several health challenges in recent years, including cancer survival, a broken hip, and hospitalizations for a fractured pelvis and a urinary tract infection. Despite these difficulties, he has remained active in public life and occasionally commented on political affairs.
In 2018, Carter urged Georgia’s current Governor Brian Kemp to resign from his position as secretary of state during his gubernatorial run. In 2019, he stated that he regarded Donald Trump as an illegitimate president. He also spoke in favor of Joe Biden in a video that aired during the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Longest-Married Presidential Couple
Carter and his wife Rosalynn hold the distinction of being the longest-married couple in presidential history. In August, the couple made a rare public appearance in their hometown of Plains, GA. The Carter family has requested privacy at this time and appreciates the concern demonstrated by his many supporters.
Jimmy Carter is a significant figure in American political history. As he moves to hospice care, Americans are reflecting on his accomplishments, his unwavering dedication to public service, and his personal attributes of modesty, empathy, and poise.
