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 this age. Serving from 1977 to 1981, Carter has spent the last 19 months in hospice care at his home in Georgia, yet he remains “emotionally engaged” and continues to find joy in life, according to his grandson, Jason. Carter, a former peanut farmer who entered politics as a state senator in the 1960s, expressed a desire to vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming November election.

To celebrate his centenary, volunteers from Habitat for Humanity, a charity Carter has supported for 40 years, are constructing 30 homes in Minnesota this week. Additionally, celebrations are planned in Plains, Georgia, where Carter served as governor. Festivities will include a military flyover and naturalization ceremonies for 100 new citizens in his honor.

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Earlier this month, a concert in Atlanta celebrated Carter’s milestone, raising over $1.2 million for The Carter Center. The event featured numerous musical performances and messages from other presidents. Although Carter could not attend, he plans to watch the broadcast of the concert today with family.

Carter, who made a rare public appearance in November 2023 at a memorial service for his late wife, Rosalynn, is known for his deep commitment to humanitarian work. Their 77-year marriage is the longest of any first couple in U.S. history.

Despite initial concerns from family about his health when he entered hospice care in February 2023, Carter’s resilience has shone through in recent months. His grandson, Josh, remarked on the precious time the family has shared, calling it “a gift.” Many believe that Carter’s journey has highlighted the importance of hospice care, providing comfort and fulfillment in later life. Barbara Pearce, CEO of Connecticut Hospice, emphasized how his story encourages others to consider hospice as a viable option for end-of-life care.