Jimmy Carter dies at 100: 8 remarkable factors that kept him thriving for a century

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US President passed away on Sunday (Dec 29) at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100.
Mourning the former President’s demise, US President Joe Biden in a statement said, “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life, study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people, decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived president in U.S. history is an icon of service and kindness. He was active in his late 90s and has survived cancer and a series of falls. Despite his health issues, he has lived healthy and happy for a century. “I’ve had a full life, I have thousands of friends… so I was surprisingly at ease, much more so than my wife was,” Carter earlier said.
Carter’s last public appearance was in November 2023, at his wife’s funeral in Atlanta. So, what was the secret behind his healthy and happy life? A focus on well-being, and a steadfast dedication to his principles.

Let’s take a look at the 8 remarkable factors that have added to his longevity.
Exercise
Jimmy Carter was quite enthusiastic about exercise. He used to run until 80. He turned to swimming after that due to knee problems.
In Oct. 2023, when Carter turned 99, his grandson Jason spoke to the Time about how exercise has fueled his grandfather’s long life. He revealed that Carter used to ride a bike, whenever the former President got to a new city. He had an active lifestyle, and jogging and running were a part of it. In an interview with the New York Times in 1979, Carter stated that jogging was “one of the high points of his day.”

Sense of purpose
Jimmy Carter believed in making a difference. Speaking about his life’s purpose, he once said, “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.”
Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn were involved in the community service. They have contributed to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization focused on building homes for families in need. Since 1984, they have built, renovated, and repaired more than 4,300 homes in 14 countries with the organization.
Beautiful marriage
One of the key factors that have contributed to Carter’s longevity is his 77-year marriage to his wife Rosalynn. Interestingly, they were also the longest-married presidential couple. Talking to the New York Times in 2021, Carter stated that marrying Rosalynn was ‘the best thing I’ve ever had happen to me’. He once credited his longevity to his successful marriage and partner and said, “The best explanation for that is to marry the best spouse: someone who will take care of you, engage you, and do things to challenge you and keep you alive and interested in life.”
Faith
A devout Christian, Carter’s faith played a central role in his life. Faith has offered him a strong sense of strength and purpose, which contributed to his resilience and longevity. After leaving the White House in 1981 Carter taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. He and his wife attended services there. Carter regularly taught until 2020.
Consuming nuts
Yes, this might seem very surprising to some. But, Carter enjoyed eating nuts. He was a peanut farmer before venturing into politics. During his presidency, he used to keep bags of peanuts in the Oval Office to hand out to visitors. In Oct. 1977, President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter even hosted a Peanut Brigade Party. Despite entering politics, he ensured to embrace his humble beginnings, and peanuts were certainly one of them.
Peanuts are not only a tasty snack but also packed with numerous health benefits. They are rich in protein and are also packed with antioxidants. They are nutrient-rich (vitamin E, B vitamins such as niacin and folate, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus). Peanuts have a low glycemic index, which helps with controlling blood sugar.

Always up for challenges
Jimmy Carter always believed in chasing challenges. He wasn’t a fan of sitting idle. After his presidency, Carter, and his wife founded the Carter Centre in Atlanta. He was actively involved in a nonprofit organization that helps to ‘improve lives by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy and preventing diseases’. He has travelled the world as part of the mission, and actively participated in its activities.

Warm personality
Jimmy Carter is remembered for his compassionate personality. He has a warm persona and is deeply concerned about social justice. His extroverted personality has built him healthy friendships and social circles. A video of Carter shaking hands with every passenger on a plane grabbed the eyeballs of netizens a few years back. The interesting part was Carter was 92 when this viral incident was caught on camera.

Sense of humour
Jimmy Carter’s famous sense of humor was one of the qualities that people worldwide admired about him. He wasn’t really someone to get all worked up and stressed when faced with challenges. His ability to make light of situations, even in tense moments, has certainly added to his longevity. From a scientific perspective, laughter is the holy grail of mental wellness. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ chemicals. These endorphins help to reduce the levels of stress hormones like cortisol and produce a sense of relaxation and well-being.