Former US President Jimmy Carter has passed away. He was 100 years old. Carter was the longest-living former president in American history. He had just celebrated his 100th birthday in October. World leaders have paid their homage to former US President.
Carter appointed women to several key positions. He was also the first US president to take climate change seriously. Carter wore jeans and sweaters in the White House and switched off heating appliances to send a message that electricity, or energy, needed to be taken seriously.
He installed solar panels on the roof – although Ronald Reagan, who succeeded him, had these panels removed.
Carter founded the Carter Center, an initiative to advocate democracy and human rights around the world; this center confirmed the death of the former president.
Carter, who once farmed peanuts, pardoned American youth who refused to join the Vietnam War. He was the first American leader to take climate change seriously.
At the international level, he played an important role in brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, but he had to struggle on issues like the Iran hostage crisis and the Soviet Union’s attack on Afghanistan.
Carter took the initiative of friendship with China in 1979 and announced that the US would establish formal diplomatic relations with China. This meant that the US had to sever ties with Taiwan and close the Taipei embassy.
Carter served one term as president, but lost badly to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 elections. Carter won only six states.
Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his outstanding contribution to world peace, climate change and human rights.
Carter’s wife Rosalynn died in November 2023. Paying tribute to his wife, Carter wrote, “She was my equal partner in everything I achieved.”
Carter suffered from skin cancer and was treated for it.
