Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, turns 100 years old today, marking a historic milestone as the first U.S. president to reach the century mark. Carter, who has held the title of the longest-living former president since March 21, 2019, now adds another remarkable achievement to his legacy.
Carter’s longevity is shared by three other presidents from his era, with Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush all living past 90. However, only two other presidents in history have reached their 90s—Herbert Hoover and John Adams, the nation’s second president, who lived a notably long life for his time.
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Carter’s centennial is an extraordinary feat. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are about 101,000 centenarians in the country, making up just 0.03% of the population. When Carter was in office, that figure stood at only 15,000.
The former president is expected to hold the record for the longest-lived U.S. president for at least another 18 years. President Joe Biden, who turns 82 in November, may one day challenge Carter’s record, though Biden currently ranks as the 10th longest-living U.S. president. Additionally, it will likely be decades before another president surpasses Carter’s post-presidency longevity, having lived more than 43 years and eight months since leaving office. Former President Barack Obama, who left the White House at age 55, is a potential future contender.
Carter’s Life and Legacy
Unlike many of his presidential peers, Carter won the presidency at a relatively younger age and lived to witness significant moments in American history. Born in the Roaring Twenties on October 1, 1924, Carter experienced the Great Depression, during which Franklin D. Roosevelt served the longest presidential term in U.S. history.
Throughout his life, Carter witnessed seismic events that shaped the nation. His presidency, which came during the post-Vietnam and post-Watergate era of 1976, left a lasting impact on the political landscape. Carter was the first modern presidential candidate to embrace a system built around primaries, caucuses, and debates, revolutionizing how future candidates are nominated and elected. His victory as an “outsider” from Washington set a precedent followed by many of his successors.
Carter’s Presidential Influence in 2024
Carter’s presidency continues to resonate in American politics today. His success as an outsider candidate, distancing himself from the Washington establishment, forged a path that modern politicians still follow. Over the past decades, many presidential hopefuls, from both major parties, have adopted this anti-establishment approach, reflecting the political model Carter helped establish.
As Carter celebrates his 100th birthday, Americans are reminded of his enduring legacy, both as a former president and as a key figure who helped shape the modern political system. His life, spanning 10 decades of American history, continues to inspire and influence the nation’s political landscape today.
- Jimmy Carter Turns 100: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday, becoming the first U.S. president to reach the century milestone.
- Longest-Living U.S. President: Carter has held the record for the longest-living former U.S. president since 2019 and is expected to retain this title for at least 18 more years.
- Presidential Longevity: Carter is one of only four U.S. presidents to live past 90, alongside Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.
- Centenarian Achievement: Carter joins an elite group of approximately 101,000 centenarians in the U.S., making up only 0.03% of the population.
- Impact on U.S. Politics: Carter revolutionized presidential campaigns by introducing a system centered around primaries, caucuses, and debates, influencing modern U.S. elections.
- Historical Perspective: Carter’s life spans 10 decades of American history, from the Roaring Twenties to the present day, witnessing major national events like the Great Depression and World War II.
- Post-Presidency Longevity: Carter has lived more than 43 years and eight months after his presidency, setting a record that will be difficult to surpass.
