Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States whose vision for a “competent and compassionate” government shaped his presidency and his long post-political life as a humanitarian advocate, died this afternoon. He was 100.

Carter’s rise to the national stage began when he announced his candidacy for president in 1974. Campaigning as a Washington outsider, Carter promoted a message of transparency and accountability in the wake of the Watergate scandal that resonated with voters.

His tireless two-year campaign resulted in a hard-fought victory over incumbent President Gerald Ford in 1976. Carter won with 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 241, largely due to his appeal as a fresh face in a politically weary nation. Carter’s tenure in the White House was defined by his relentless pursuit of peace and diplomacy, though it was tested by the Iranian hostage crisis, which deeply impacted the final year of his presidency.

As president, Carter focused on addressing energy shortages, inflation, and unemployment—some of the most pressing issues of the 1970s. His administration passed legislation to create a national energy policy, which included deregulating domestic petroleum prices in an effort to stimulate production. He also reformed the civil service and deregulated industries like trucking and airlines to promote economic competition. Despite this, his administration struggled with soaring inflation, high interest rates, and economic recession, dampening the public’s confidence in his leadership.

Carter’s foreign policy achievements were significant, though they were sometimes blocked out by international crises. His greatest diplomatic success came in 1978 with the Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel that remains one of the most important diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. He also helped negotiate the Panama Canal treaties, returning control of the canal to Panama, and normalized diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. His strong stance on human rights was an important feature of his foreign policy, though it was not always well-received by adversarial nations, including the Soviet Union.

However, Carter’s presidency was plagued by many setbacks, especially the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979, during which 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days. The crisis dominated the final year of his presidency and severely damaged his popularity. Combined with domestic economic challenges, these events contributed to his defeat in the 1980 election by Ronald Reagan. Despite the loss, Carter continued to negotiate for the hostages’ release up until the day he left office when they were finally freed.

Carter died around 3:45 p.m., according to his son Chip. Known for his humility, deep Christian faith, and dedication to public service, Carter was committed to humanitarian efforts and global diplomacy long after his term in office ended.

Born James Earl Carter Jr. on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter was raised in a small rural town where peanut farming, politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were central parts of his upbringing. His father was a successful businessman, and his mother was a registered nurse. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1946, Carter married Rosalynn Smith, his lifelong partner, with whom he shared four children: three sons—John William, James Earl III, Donnel Jeffrey—and a daughter, Amy Lynn.

Carter served in the Navy for seven years, specializing in submarine operations and working on the Navy’s first nuclear-powered submarines under Admiral Hyman Rickover. However, following the death of his father in 1953, Carter left the Navy to return to Georgia and manage the family’s peanut farm. It was during this time that he entered local politics, a decision that would eventually launch him onto the national stage.

In 1962, Carter was elected to the Georgia State Senate, where he quickly built a reputation as a reformer and advocate for civil rights. His leadership as Georgia’s governor, beginning in 1970, focused on ending racial segregation, promoting environmental protection, and improving government efficiency. He was one of the early Southern governors to prioritize these progressive causes.

Though his presidency was widely viewed as a difficult period, Carter’s post-presidential years marked him as one of the most active and impactful former presidents in U.S. history. In 1982, he founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting peace, human rights, and health initiatives around the world. The Carter Center became known for its work in monitoring elections in emerging democracies, negotiating peace settlements, and eradicating illnesses such as Guinea worm, a parasitic disease that has almost been completely eliminated due to the Center’s efforts.

Carter’s hands-on volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity became a defining aspect of his later life. Well into his 90s, Carter could be found building homes for low-income families, exemplifying his lifelong commitment to service. His humanitarian efforts were recognized globally, and in 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of work in advancing human rights, promoting peace, and alleviating poverty.

Throughout his later years, Carter remained a prominent figure in public life, often speaking out on issues ranging from global health to democracy. He continued teaching Sunday school in his hometown church in Plains, where he remained a beloved figure for his humility and dedication to his community.

Carter’s ability to transition from a contentious presidency to a globally respected humanitarian made his life unique among U.S. presidents. His commitment to service, whether in the White House or on a construction site, was a testament to his deep belief in improving the world around him.

Carter is survived by his sons Jack, James, and Donnel, his daughter Amy, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife Rosalynn Carter died in 2023.