Jimmy Carter turns 100, becomes first US President to reach the milestone

yash gupta

Jimmy Carter turned 100 on Tuesday, becoming the longest-living president in US history. Known for his post-presidential efforts in peace and human rights, Carter continues to inspire despite health challenges and looks forward to voting in the upcoming election.

In Short

The 39th US President Jimmy Carter turned 100 on Tuesday, marking a historic milestone as the longest-living president in the country’s history. Carter, born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, remains a prominent figure for his post-presidential work in promoting democracy, peace, and global development.

Carter, who served as President from 1977 to 1981, is also the American President to have seen the longest post-presidency period at over 43 years.

Jimmy Carter turns 100, first US President to reach century mark

Carter, a Democrat, began his political career as a state senator before becoming the governor of Georgia.

After leaving office, he and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit dedicated to human rights and conflict resolution. His wife, Rosalynn Carter — the first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981 — died in November 2023 at the age of 96.

In 2002, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting peace and advocating for human rights worldwide.

In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with cancer that spread to his brain. Despite health challenges, including entering hospice care in February 2023, he continues to inspire.

Jimmy Carter is the first US president to reach 100 years old. The previous record-holders for longest-living presidents were George HW Bush, who passed away at 94 in 2018, and Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, who both lived to 93.

The current president, Joe Biden, holds the record as the oldest sitting US president at 81. If Donald Trump wins this fall, he could break that record and become the oldest commander-in-chief.

Carter, 100, has also endorsed Kamala Harris, 59, for president. His grandson, Jason Carter, recently shared that the former president was still looking forward to casting his vote in the upcoming election which is set for November 5.

Naturally, luck had a part in it. Experts assert that there is no doubt that the immune therapy he received is the reason he is still alive today. Dr. Stephen Hodi, who oversees the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center in Boston’s Melanoma Center and Center for Immuno-Oncology, said that it’s kind of a trite term, but in so many ways, he’s kind of the poster child for immune therapy. There were so many issues that he exemplified as a patient. The therapy was a brand-new tool in the cancer fighter’s toolbox back then.
The first checkpoint inhibitor, generically known as ipilimumab, had received approval from the Food and Drug Administration just four years prior. Pembrolizumab, the second such medication that Carter was given, was only approved the year prior to his administration.

Cancer immunotherapies, including pembrolizumab, are now a major pillar of cancer care alongside surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Dr. David Lawson treated Carter with pembrolizumab due to his health and resilience. Carter’s treatment came on the cusp of realizing the effectiveness of these treatments. Research shows that many patients with brain metastases from melanoma can benefit from checkpoint therapy.

FAQs:

How did Jimmy Carter survive nine years with brain cancer?
Jimmy Carter received immunotherapy, specifically pembrolizumab, to help his immune system fight the melanoma that had spread to his brain.

Is age a barrier to cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy?
No, age is not a barrier. Doctors treated Carter, who was 91 at the time, demonstrating that immunotherapy can benefit even the elderly.

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