Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will cease medical treatment and enter hospice care at his home in Georgia, according to a Saturday announcement by his foundation.
The Carter Center reported that Mr. Carter had opted to “spend his remaining time at home with his family,” but did not specify the reason for his decision.
Recent health difficulties for Mr. Carter, 98, include a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.
He served as president from 1977 to 1981, making him the oldest leader still alive.
During his presidency, Jimmy Carter faced a number of foreign policy issues, and his re-election attempt was lost by Ronald Reagan.
“His family and medical team provide him with total support. The Carter family requests privacy at this time and appreciates the compassion exhibited by his numerous supporters “Saturday, the Carter Center issued a statement.
Patients with terminal illnesses may elect hospice care over further medical therapy. During the end of a patient’s life, it is more important to provide comfort than to continue treatment.
Former Georgia state senator Jason Carter, the grandson of Mr. Carter, tweeted that he saw “both of my grandparents yesterday.”
“They are at ease and, as usual, their home is filled with affection. Thank you for your kind comments “he said.
Mr. Carter and Mrs. Roslyn Carter celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2021. Together, they have four children.
Mr. Carter, who was born in Georgia in 1924, entered politics in the 1960s when he was elected as a state senator and later became the governor of Georgia in 1971.
He defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford to become the 39th commander-in-chief five years later.
Issues rapidly arose for President Carter
Domestically, the oil crisis caused high inflation and unemployment, and he battled to convince the American people to embrace the necessary austerity measures.
The signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978, in which Egypt formally recognized the establishment of Israel, was the high point of the Carter administration. In addition, he signed a treaty restoring the Panama Canal to Panama.
In the aftermath of the 1979 toppling of the last Shah of Iran, 66 Americans were taken hostage in Tehran. In response, President Carter severed diplomatic ties with Iran and imposed a trade embargo.
While the US hostages were held for 444 days, the people did not believe he was acting harshly enough, and his popularity declined. As a result of the botched attempt to rescue the hostages and the deaths of eight U.S. military personnel, his support ratings declined significantly.
Iran subsequently postponed the release of the captives until after the inauguration of Ronald Reagan.
Mr. Carter has stayed active since leaving the White House, continuing his humanitarian efforts through the Carter Center.
In 1994, he led a group that attempted to convince military commanders in Haiti to cede power, and he arranged a truce in Bosnia that paved the basis for a future peace accord.
In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in supporting human rights, which earned him an international reputation.
Along with Nelson Mandela, he co-founded The Elders, a group of world leaders dedicated to promoting peace and human rights.
He also traveled widely, far into his early nineties, and participated in Habitat for Humanity’s yearly home-building excursions.
In recent years, the former president has also fought a variety of health difficulties. Mr. Carter had a tiny malignant liver tumor removed in August 2015.
The following year, he stated that he no longer required cancer therapy since an experimental medicine had eradicated all traces of the disease.
He has frequently demonstrated remarkable composure in the face of his health issues.
In 2015, he stated,
“I’m fully at ease with whatever comes.” “My life has been fascinating, adventurous, and fulfilling.”
Jimmy Carter spent his most recent birthday in October in Plains, Georgia, the tiny town where he and his wife were born between World War I and the Great Depression, and where they returned after he left office.
Once the news broke on Saturday night, a number of key US lawmakers, including Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, extended their condolences and prayers to Mr. Carter’s family.
“At this delicate period of transition, God is certainly walking with him,” tweeted Senator Warnock. “May he, Rosalynn, and the entire Carter family find peace and be encircled by our love and prayers.”
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