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Jimmy Carter facts for kids

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For other uses, see Jimmy Carter (disambiguation).
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Jimmy Carter
Portrait of Jimmy Carter in a dark blue suit
Official portrait, 1978
39th President of the United States
In office
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
Vice President Walter Mondale
Preceded by Gerald Ford
Succeeded by Ronald Reagan
76th Governor of Georgia
In office
January 12, 1971 – January 14, 1975
Lieutenant Lester Maddox
Preceded by Lester Maddox
Succeeded by George Busbee
Member of the Georgia State Senate
from the 14th district
In office
January 14, 1963 – January 9, 1967
Preceded by Constituency established
Succeeded by Hugh Carter
Personal details
Born
James Earl Carter Jr.

(1924-10-01)October 1, 1924
Plains, Georgia, U.S.
Died December 29, 2024(2024-12-29) (aged 100)
Plains, Georgia, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1946; died 2023)​
Children 4, including Jack and Amy
Parents
Relatives Carter family
Education United States Naval Academy (BS)
Civilian awards Full list
Signature Cursive signature in ink
Military service
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service
  • 1946–1953 (active)
  • 1953–1961 (reserve)
Rank Lieutenant
Battles/wars World War II
Military awards

James Earl Carter Jr. (born October 1, 1924 – died December 29, 2024) was an American politician and humanitarian. He served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

While historians have different opinions on his time as president, his work after leaving office has been highly praised. He even won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts. His post-presidency was the longest in U.S. history.

Early Life and Education

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. He was the oldest son of Bessie Lillian and James Earl Carter Sr.. His family moved several times when he was a baby.

He went to Plains High School from 1937 to 1941. During this time, he joined the Future Farmers of America. This helped him develop a lifelong love for woodworking.

After high school, Carter attended Georgia Southwestern College. He then went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree there.

Naval Career and Service

United States Navy Presidents (cropped)
Carter while serving in the United States Navy

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Jimmy Carter joined the U.S. Navy. He became an officer who worked on nuclear submarines. Even though he didn't fight in a war, his time in the Navy taught him a lot about duty and discipline.

In 1952, there was an accident at a nuclear reactor in Canada. Radioactive water flooded the building. Carter was sent there to help lead a U.S. team. They worked with Canadian teams to safely shut down the damaged reactor. This experience helped shape his views on nuclear energy.

Graduation of Jimmy Carter from U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, Rosalynn Carter and Lillian Carter Pinning on Ensign Bars - DPLA - e1b1f2b5b4e38fc82cfe091678fc112a
Carter with Rosalynn Smith and his mother at his graduation from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, June 5, 1946

Carter served in the U.S. Navy for seven years. In 1953, his father passed away. Carter decided to leave the Navy to go back home to Plains and take over the family's peanut farm.

Starting a Peanut Farm

Becoming an agri-businessman was not easy for Carter. He was determined to make the family's peanut farm grow. His first year was tough because a drought ruined the harvest.

To keep the farm going, Carter had to borrow money from banks. He also took classes and studied farming. His wife, Rosalynn, learned how to manage the business's finances. Even though they barely made money at first, the Carters worked hard. They grew their business and became very successful.

Early Political Career in Georgia

Jimmy Carter official portrait as Governor
Carter's official portrait as Governor of Georgia; dated 1971

Jimmy Carter's political journey began in the Georgia State Senate. He served there from 1963 to 1967. After that, he became the Governor of Georgia, serving from 1971 to 1975.

As governor, he focused on important issues. He worked to make the state's education system better. He also aimed to protect Georgia's natural environment.

Carter also made civil rights a high priority. He hired more Black state employees. He also placed portraits of important Black Georgians in the capitol building. These included Martin Luther King Jr., Lucy Craft Laney, and Henry McNeal Turner.

Becoming President of the United States

President Carter National Portrait Gallery
Image of President Carter displayed in the National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC. Portrait by Robert Templeton.

Before becoming president, Carter was not widely known outside of Georgia. He was considered a dark-horse candidate. However, he won the Democratic nomination for president.

In the 1976 election, he narrowly beat the sitting Republican president, Gerald Ford. Carter became the 39th president of the United States.

Key Actions as President

Carter became president on January 20, 1977. Early in his term, he pardoned all Vietnam War draft evaders. He also created a national energy policy. This policy focused on saving energy, controlling prices, and developing new technologies.

Some of his major achievements include:

Challenges During His Presidency

The end of Carter's presidency faced several challenges:

Carter lost the 1980 presidential election to Ronald Reagan.

Life After the Presidency

The Elders (9358747992)
Carter (second from right) with Martti Ahtisaari, William Hague, and Lakhdar Brahimi from The Elders group in London, July 24, 2013.

After leaving the White House in 1981, Jimmy Carter started the Carter Center. This organization works to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world. His work with the Carter Center earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

He traveled widely to help with peace talks and monitor elections. He also worked to get rid of infectious diseases. Carter was also a key supporter of Habitat for Humanity, a group that builds homes for people in need. He wrote many books, including his political memories and poetry.

Personal Life and Family

Farah Pahlavi and Rosalynn Carter (cropped and retouched)
Farah Pahlavi, Empress of Iran, holds Jimmy Carter IV while Rosalynn Carter, Caron Carter and Chip Carter watch, January 1978.

Jimmy Carter married Rosalynn Smith in 1946. They had three sons and one daughter. They were married for over 75 years, becoming the longest-wed presidential couple in U.S. history.

Carter enjoyed many hobbies, such as painting, fly fishing, woodworking, cycling, tennis, and skiing. He also loved poetry.

Death and Legacy

Jimmy Carter entered hospice care several months before his 99th birthday. He often said he never expected to live so long. He believed a good marriage was a big reason for his long life.

Carter passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.

Even though his presidency faced challenges, his work for peace and human rights after leaving office made him one of the most respected former presidents. In 2024, the White House honored his naval service and peace efforts with an official Christmas ornament. This was special because he was still alive when it was unveiled.

Interesting Facts About Jimmy Carter

  • Jimmy Carter was the only U.S. president who was a licensed nuclear engineer.
  • He was the longest-lived U.S. president. He was also the only one to reach 100 years of age.
  • Carter was a talented painter. He painted hundreds of pictures, often showing scenes from his life.
  • He and his wife Rosalynn were married for over 75 years. This shows their strong and lasting love.
  • He was known for teaching Sunday school. He continued this tradition even after he left the White House.

Jimmy Carter's Famous Quotes

  • "To be true to ourselves, we must be true to others."
  • "Wherever life takes us, there are always moments of wonder."
  • "We have to inspire our children and grandchildren to take on challenges and risks that at first may seem to be overwhelming, or even impossible. They need to understand that the only failure is not trying."
  • "America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense… human rights invented America."
  • "You only have to have two loves in your life: for God, and for the person in front of you at any particular time."
  • "Earlier in my life, I thought the things that mattered were the things that you could see, like your car, your house, your wealth, your property, your office. But as I’ve grown older I’ve become convinced that the things that matter most are the things that you can’t see—the love you share with others, your inner purpose, your comfort with who you are."
  • "We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles."
  • "We are of course a nation of differences. Those differences don't make us weak. They're the source of our strength."

Timeline of Jimmy Carter's Life

  • 1924: Born in Plains, Georgia.
  • 1946: Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.
  • 1953: Left the Navy and returned to Plains to run the family farm.
  • 1963-1967: Served in the Georgia State Senate.
  • 1971-1975: Served as Governor of Georgia.
  • 1976: Elected President of the United States.
  • 1977-1981: Served as President of the United States.
  • 1982: Established The Carter Center.
  • 2002: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work promoting peace and human rights.
  • 2024: Died in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jimmy Carter para niños

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