Jimmy Carter turns 100: What to know about the former president's historic milestone

Jimmy Carter turns 100 on Tuesday, marking another milestone for the former president who is the longest living commander-in-chief in U.S. history.

He was born James Earl Carter Jr. on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, and still resides there today. A Democrat known for his early career as a peanut farmer, Carter was elected a state senator and the governor of Georgia before serving as the nation's 39th president from 1977 to 1981.

When he left office, he and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit promoting democracy and global development. In 2002, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts promoting economic and social development, negotiating peaceful solutions to international conflicts and working on human rights advocacy.

In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to his brain. He entered hospice care in February 2023, and his grandson, Jason Carter, said at a Carter Center event in May the former president was "coming to the end." But weeks later, Jason Carter said he was holding on to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

The first US president to reach 100

Carter is the longest living president and the first to reach 100 years old in U.S. history.

The other longest living presidents were some of the leaders who served immediately before and after Carter. George H. W. Bush died at 94 in 2018, Gerald Ford died at 93 in 2006, and Ronald Reagan died at 93 in 2004.

The country's current president, Joe Biden, also holds an age-related record. At 81, he is the oldest person to serve as commander-in-chief. However, that record could be broken by former President Donald Trump, 78, if he wins this fall.

Casting a ballot for Harris

As Carter approached his milestone birthday, he told family that he wants to help his fellow Democrats defeat Trump in November.

'Close to his heart': Jimmy Carter’s grandson says his grandfather’s ‘engaged in the news’ as he approaches 100th birthday

“I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” Carter told his son Chip, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Jason Carter spoke during the second night of the Democratic National Convention and confirmed the former president is planning to cast his ballot for Harris. He told the crowd of fellow Democrats that she's the candidate who best encapsulates his grandfather's legacy of service.

"She reminds us all that the promise of America remains unchanged," he said at the convention. "We are one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, and my grandfather knows that with her as our next president, we will keep that promise.”

Nearly 20 months in hospice

Jason Carter told USA TODAY in August that his grandfather “doesn’t do much on his own physically” these days but is still mentally engaged in current events, including the 2024 election.

The former president has spent over a year and a half in hospice care.

February marked one year for Carter – a longer than average duration. While each person is different, 3 out of 4 hospice patients spent less than three months in end-of-life care, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. 

In a statement announcing Carter was entering hospice care, the Carter Center said the former president’s family was “grateful for the many expressions of love they have received and the continued respect for their privacy during this time.”

And, they added, "The family is pleased that his decision last year to enter hospice care has sparked so many family discussions across the country on an important subject."

While approximately 10% of patients spend more than 264 days in hospice, Dr. Tammie Quest, Director of Emory University’s Palliative Care Center in Georgia, said Carter’s situation is not surprising in the eyes of doctors and medical experts.

"We find that when we can mitigate suffering and support family caregivers who are taking care of patients, that when you add all of those factors together that patients do far better," Quest told USA TODAY in February.

Rosalynn Carter's legacy

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married 77 years, the longest-married couple in presidential history. The former first lady died in November. She was 96.

Remembered as a champion of mental health advocacy, Rosalynn Carter entered hospice care herself days before her death. Together with the former president, she had four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

'She was an amazing woman': Rosalynn Carter memorials pay tribute to historic first lady

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Jimmy Carter said at the time of her passing, in a statement from the Carter Center. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

She is also credited with establishing the role of first lady as a full-time job. Rosalynn Carter was the first presidential spouse to set up office in the East Wing of the White House and hire a full staff.

The last time Jimmy Carter was seen publicly on the national stage was at her funeral in November.

Contributing: Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY

Reach Rachel Barber at [email protected] and on X @rachelbarber_. Reach Savannah Kuchar at [email protected] and X @savannahkuchar.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Jimmy Carter the first president to turn 100? Has he voted in GA?