Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton all lamented the death of former President Jimmy Carter on Sunday, who died at the age of 100.
Carter’s death was confirmed by his son, Chip Carter, and the Carter Center on Sunday afternoon, with multiple messages on social media pouring in shortly after. By Sunday evening, all of the former U.S. presidents still alive had issued statements mourning the death of Carter, while also honoring his service to the country.
President Carter taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man. https://t.co/dZHL0Nu0Tj
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2024
“Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth,” Obama wrote in a statement on Medium. “And he did — advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image.”
Former President George W. Bush similarly noted how Carter was “a man of deeply held convictions,” and one who was loyal to both his family and his country. Bush also praised Carter for his work on both Habitat for Humanity and The Carter Center, as both “set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations.”
Statement by President George W. Bush. pic.twitter.com/nlooc1eg68
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 29, 2024
“We join our fellow citizens in giving thanks for Jimmy Carter and in prayer for his family,” Bush’s statement said.
Clinton noted how he and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, met Carter in 1975 and became “proud, early supporters” of his 1976 presidential campaign, and that he will “always be proud” of giving him and Carter’s wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.
Hillary’s and my statement on the passing of President Jimmy Carter: pic.twitter.com/SOgqTZUdi6
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 29, 2024
“From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-Presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the Clintons’ statement said.
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President-elect Donald Trump commemorated Carter’s death with a statement of his own, noting how Carter did “everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans” during his time as the 39th president. He added that the nation owes him “a debt of gratitude” for his service.
Likewise, President Joe Biden, in a joint statement with his wife, first lady Jill Biden, wrote that Carter “saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.” The president also announced that an official state funeral will be held for Carter in Washington, D.C.