Leaders around the world are mourning the death of former president Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at his home in Georgia. He was 100 years old—the oldest living US president ever.
Carter, the only president to hail from Georgia and the first president to be inaugurated under a nickname (he was born James Earl Carter Jr.), is remembered as a champion of global peace, a truth-teller from humble beginnings, and a committed public leader before, during, and after his time serving as the 39th president of the United States.
The former president will receive a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral on January 9, the culmination of more than a week of ceremonies and honors. President Joe Biden, who was the first senator—and first politician outside of Georgia—to endorse Carter in his bid for the White House, will read a eulogy.
US flags are to fly at half-staff, per the direction of Biden, at the White House and on public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and naval vessels across the US and its territories for 30 days—including on Inauguration Day. Biden designated January 9 as a national day of mourning; stock exchanges will be closed that day.
Carter will be interred next to his wife of 77 years, the former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who died in November of 2023, in a family plot next to a willow tree at the edge of a pond in Plains, Georgia, where they lived together for most of their lives.
As soon as his son, James E. Carter III, announced his father’s passing, leaders around the world began paying tribute to Jimmy Carter—who, through his diplomatic work in and out of office, uniquely altered the course of global affairs.
President Joe Biden
“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian,” President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wrote in a statement Sunday. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.”
Vice President Kamala Harris
“Jimmy Carter,” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote, “reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion.”
“I had the privilege of knowing President Carter for years. I will always remember his kindness, wisdom, and profound grace. His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come. Our world is a better place because of President Carter.”
Before his death, Carter told his son, Chip, “I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” according to reporting from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In October 2024, he cast his last vote via absentee ballot.
President-elect Donald Trump
“Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” President-elect Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday.
Trump had previously mocked Carter on the campaign trail, and the 39th president was an outspoken critic of 45.
Later on Sunday, Trump posted again about Carter’s passing.
“President Jimmy Carter is dead at 100 years of age. While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for. He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed.”
Vice President-Elect JD Vance
“Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to serving this country. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. May he Rest in Peace,” Ohio Senator and Vice President-elect JD Vance wrote on X, formerly Twitter, above Trump’s statement.
Former President Barack Obama
“Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did — advocating for the public good, consequences be damned,” former president Barack Obama wrote in a statement on Medium. “He believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion.”
“Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away — buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels,” he continued, sharing anecdotes of Carter’s teaching Sunday school at the Plains, Georgia church.
Former President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton
“Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others—until the very end,” Bill Clinton wrote, adding, “Hillary and I met President Carter in 1975 and were proud, early supporters of his Presidential campaign. I will always be proud to have presented the Medal of Freedom to him and Rosalynn in 1999, and to have worked with him in the years after he left the White House.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
“President Carter’s faith in the American people and his belief in the power of kindness and humility leave a strong legacy. He taught us that the strength of a leader lies not in rhetoric but in action, not in personal gain but in service to others,” Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, wrote in a Sunday statement, praising Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity.
Speaker Of The House Mike Johnson
“President Carter’s story was one of humble beginnings, and his life is a testament to the boundless opportunities available in this great nation,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson wrote on X. “Because of his work in brokering the Camp David Accords and his advocacy with Habitat for Humanity,” he added, “the world is a more peaceful place, and more Americans have a place to call home. No one can deny that President Carter led an extraordinary life of service to his country.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
“As President, his work to restore integrity to the political arena during a difficult chapter in our history was a testament to his firm faith in the sanctity of the public good, which he always placed above his own,” Representative Nancy Pelosi wrote adding, “President Carter’s love for his wife, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, is immortal. Their beautiful bond and partnership in service were a wonder to behold. May it be a comfort to their children, Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy, and the entire Carter family that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.”
Former Vice President Al Gore
Former Vice President Al Gore wrote that Jimmy Carter “had an unyielding commitment to building a more peaceful, safer, and more just world and a cleaner environment.”
“In everything he did, he led with heart, faith in God, and courage. I am grateful for the many years of his leadership and friendship.”
Georgia Leaders
“President Carter was one of my heroes,” Reverend Raphael Warnock, a U.S. Senator from Georgia, wrote on Sunday.
“I’m honored to have had the opportunity to know President Carter—the first president I remember from my childhood, and someone with whom I developed a meaningful friendship. He brought his family to worship at my church. At a family dinner, I remember the President and his amazing wife, Rosalyn, holding my daughter, then just two months old, as if she were their own granddaughter. They were among my favorite people.”
Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia also paid tribute to Carter, writing, “From Plains to across the State of Georgia, the United States, and around the world, millions will forever admire and appreciate all that President Carter did for the United States and for the global community.”
“As the only American president thus far to come from Georgia, he showed the world the impact our state and its people have on the country,” Georgia governor Brian Kemp said in a statement.
King Charles
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of President Carter,” King Charles wrote in a social media post on Sunday. “He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977,” he added. The post was signed “Charles R.,” indicating that the tribute came from the King himself.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis recalled Jimmy Carter’s “firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defense of human rights and the welfare of the poor and those in need,” according to a Vatican telegram released on Monday. Carter was the first US president to host a pope at the White House, per Vatican News.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Jimmy Carter is celebrated for facilitating negotiations between Egyptian and Israeli leaders at Camp David, the presidential retreat, that established the framework for the first peace treaty between an Arab country and Israel. The current Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whom international human rights groups have critiqued, paid tribute to Carter after his death.
“His efforts in preserving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel will remain etched in history, and his humanitarian work demonstrates a standard of love, peace, and brotherhood. His legacy ensures that he will be remembered as one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity,” the leader wrote.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“I remember my father speaking highly of President Carter as a man of deep faith, strong morals, and firm principles. I had the honour of meeting him a few times over the past decades, and he was always kind and thoughtful, and generous with his advice to me about public service,” the prime minister from Canada, Justin Trudeau, wrote of Carter, praising how his “life embodied the American Dream.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“Whether supporting elections around the world and spreading healthcare solutions through the Carter Center or still building homes with Habitat for Humanity into his nineties, Jimmy Carter lived his values in the service of others to the very end,” UKPrime Ministerr Keir Starmer wrote in a statement posted to X.
French President Emmanuel Macron
“Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter has been a steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace,” Emmanuel Macron, president of France, wrote.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“Jimmy Carter,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote, “was a leader who served during a time when Ukraine was not yet independent, yet his heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom.”
“Today, let us remember: peace matters, and the world must remain united in standing against those who threaten these values. May his memory be eternal.”
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino
“His time in the White House marked complex times,” José Raúl Mulino, the president of Panama, wrote of Jimmy Carter on X, “which were crucial for Panama to negotiate and agree on the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, which achieved the transfer of the Canal to Panamanian hands and the full sovereignty of our country. May his soul rest in peace.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping
“On behalf of the Chinese government and people, as well as in his own name, Xi expressed deep condolences over the passing of Carter and extended sincere sympathy to the Carter family,” the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Monday. While president, Carter granted full diplomatic recognition to China.
“In his message, Xi called Carter a promoter and decision-maker in the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, noting that the late U.S. leader had long contributed to the development of bilateral ties, as well as the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
“We join our American friends in mourning the loss of their former President Jimmy Carter. The US has lost a committed fighter for democracy,” German chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X, adding, “The world has lost a great mediator for peace in the Middle East and for human rights.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“Former President Carter rose from humble beginnings to leave a remarkable legacy. Beyond being elected to the Presidency or being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Jimmy Carter’s legacy is best measured in lives changed, saved and uplifted.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia wrote. “People living free from debilitating disease because of the work of The Carter Center. People with a safe home to call their own, thanks to all those he inspired to contribute to Habitat for Humanity. People spared the toll of conflict because of his tireless efforts as a negotiator.”
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel
“Condolences to the people and government of the United States, especially to the family and loved ones of President James Carter. Our people will remember with gratitude his efforts to improve relations, his visits to #Cuba and his statement in favor of the freedom of the Five,” President Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba wrote on X. Carter advocated for better relations between Cuba and the US after a 2011 visit, including calling for the release of the “Cuban Five,” Cuban intelligence officers who were arrested in Florida by the FBI for conspiracy to commit espionage. (They were later released.)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil wrote that Jimmy Carter “achieved the feat of having a job as a former president, over the decades, that was as important or even more important than his term in the White House.”
He criticized unilateral military actions by superpowers and the use of killer drones,” Lula continued, “He worked with Brazil to mediate conflicts in Venezuela and to help Haiti. He created The Carter Center, a world reference in democracy, human rights and dialogue. He will be remembered forever as a name that defended that peace is the most important condition for development.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
“President Carter’s leadership contributed significantly to international peace and security, including the landmark Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal Treaties,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote in a Sunday statement.
“President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency. He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations.”
President Carter will be remembered, Guterres continued, “for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity.”
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