Jimmy Carter, 98, Enters Hospice Care

Former President Jimmy Carter—the longest-living president in American history at 98 years old—ended his medical treatment, opting to enter hospice care at his Georgia home.

“After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention,” the Carter Center announced on Saturday. “He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.”

Although the center did not share his medical conditions, Carter suffered from recent health issues, including metastatic melanoma, which spread to his liver and brain; he defeated cancer a few months later. He also sustained a few falls, one of which resulted in a broken hip and another resulted in 14 stitches. 

Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson and a former Georgia state senator, tweeted on Saturday: “I saw both of my grandparents yesterday. They are at peace and—as always—their home is full of love. Thank you all for your kind words.”

The 39th U.S. president has outlived two of his successors, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, as well as his vice president, Walter F. Mondale.

After serving only one year as Georgia’s governor, Carter ran against President Gerald Ford—with the backing of then-Senator Joe Biden—and won, and was the last Democratic presidential nominee to have swept the Deep South. He served from 1977 to 1981; his one-term presidency was turbulent, dealing with an oil crisis, high inflation and unemployment, Cold War tensions, and the hostage-taking of U.S. Embassy staff in Iran. He also brokered a peace deal between Egypt and Israel, expanded the national park system, created the Department of Education, and appointed a record number of women and people of color to government positions.

Post-presidency, Carter delved into humanitarian work. He founded The Carter Center with his wife, Rosalynn Carter, in an effort to promote peace, freedom and democracy, as well as to improve health and advance human rights; his work at the center earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. On top of this, he worked with Nelson Mandela’s organization, The Elders, a group of global leaders dedicated to work on peace, sustainability, and human rights. He also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, even into his 90s, building houses around the world.

“I’ve been as blessed as any human being in the world,” Carter told the Washington Post in 2015 after disclosing his cancer diagnosis. “I’m ready for anything.”