Former US President Jimmy Carter has decided to end medical treatment and move into hospice care at his home in Georgia, as announced by his foundation on Saturday. Mr. Carter, who is 98 years old and the oldest living leader of the US, has been suffering from a range of health issues, including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. The former president served from 1977-81 and faced a series of foreign policy challenges during his tenure, including the Iran hostage crisis that led to his loss in the re-election bid to Ronald Reagan.
Mr. Carter has been active in humanitarian work since leaving the White House, and his foundation, the Carter Center, stated that he had made the decision to spend his remaining time with his family, and he has the full support of his medical team. The family has requested privacy during this time, and his grandson, Jason Carter, took to Twitter to say that they are at peace, and their home is full of love. Mr. Carter and his wife Roslyn celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2021 and have four children together.
During his presidency, Mr. Carter signed the Camp David Accords in 1978 and a treaty returning control of the Panama Canal to Panama. Still, his popularity slumped due to the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, which led to a public perception that he was not taking a tough enough stance on the matter.
After leaving the White House, Mr. Carter continued his humanitarian work, gaining an international reputation for his efforts to promote human rights. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and co-founded The Elders, a group of global leaders committed to working on peace and human rights, with Nelson Mandela. Mr. Carter has also traveled extensively, even into his early 90s, and taken part in annual trips to build homes with the Habitat for Humanity charity.
Mr. Carter’s recent years have also been marked by health issues. In August 2015, he had a small cancerous mass removed from his liver, and the following year, he announced that an experimental drug had eliminated any sign of cancer. Despite these challenges, Mr. Carter has remained calm and positive, saying that he is “perfectly at ease with whatever comes” and has had an exciting, adventurous, and gratifying existence.
In response to the news of Mr. Carter’s hospice care, a host of senior US politicians, including Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, offered their thoughts and prayers to the Carter family. Senator Warnock tweeted that God was surely walking with him during this tender time of transitioning and expressed his hope that Mr. Carter, Rosalynn, and the entire family would be comforted with that peace and surrounded by love and prayers.
In conclusion, Jimmy Carter, the former US president, has decided to move into hospice care after ending medical treatment at his home in Georgia. Mr. Carter, the country’s oldest living leader, has had a range of health issues in recent years, but he has remained positive and calm despite the challenges. Throughout his life, he has been active in humanitarian work, promoting human rights and peace.
