He finally went home. After nearly two years of defying medical expectations in hospice care, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024.
He was 100 years old.
It’s hard to wrap your head around that kind of longevity. When he entered hospice in February 2023, most people—honestly, including some in the medical community—thought it was a matter of days or weeks. Instead, he lived long enough to celebrate his centennial birthday, cast a mail-in ballot for the 2024 election, and see the seasons change in Plains, Georgia, several more times. He died peacefully at 3:45 p.m. at his modest ranch house, the same one he and Rosalynn built back in 1961.
What date did Jimmy Carter die and why it took us by surprise
The official date of record is December 29, 2024. While death at 100 isn't exactly a "shock" in the traditional sense, the timing felt significant. He had survived his beloved wife, Rosalynn, by a little over a year. She passed in November 2023. For those who followed their 77-year marriage, there was a sense that Jimmy was holding on for a specific reason.
Maybe it was the milestone. Maybe it was the election. Or maybe it was just that famous Carter stubbornness.
His grandson, Jason Carter, had been giving updates for months. He’d mention how his grandfather was "physically diminished" but still mentally there, still interested in the world, and still remarkably "him." When the news finally broke that Sunday afternoon, it felt like the end of an entire era of American history. He wasn't just a former president; he was the last of a certain kind of leader.
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The long goodbye in Plains
The period between February 2023 and December 2024 was basically a masterclass in how to handle the end of life. By choosing hospice early and being public about it, the Carters changed the conversation around palliative care.
Most people wait until the final 48 hours to call hospice. Jimmy Carter stayed in it for 22 months.
He spent those months eating peanut butter ice cream, watching the Atlanta Braves, and sitting on his back porch. It wasn't about "fighting" a battle anymore. It was about peace. The Carter Center, based in Atlanta, confirmed he was surrounded by family when he took his last breath. There were no flashing lights or frantic hospital hallways. Just the quiet of a South Georgia afternoon.
The State Funeral and National Day of Mourning
Following his death, the country entered a formal period of mourning. President Joe Biden declared January 9, 2025, as a national day of mourning. This coincided with the state funeral held at the Washington National Cathedral.
It was a massive event.
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All living presidents attended. You saw the motorcades, the flags at half-staff for 30 days, and the military honors. But for many, the most moving part wasn't the DC pomp. It was the train of events in Georgia. His body traveled from Plains to Atlanta, stopping at the Georgia State Capitol where he once served as governor.
Then, it went back to Plains.
He was buried in the front yard of his home, per his wishes. It’s a simple spot. No sprawling marble monument. Just a grave near the house where he lived his "real" life before and after the White House.
Why the 2024 date matters for his legacy
The fact that Jimmy Carter died in late 2024 means he achieved his final personal goal: reaching 100. Born on October 1, 1924, he was the first U.S. president to become a centenarian.
Think about that timeline.
When he was born, Calvin Coolidge was in office.
The Great Depression hadn't happened yet.
Television wasn't a thing.
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He lived through the dawn of the nuclear age, the civil rights movement, the rise of the internet, and the total transformation of the American South. His post-presidency lasted longer than some people’s entire careers—43 years of building houses for Habitat for Humanity and monitoring elections in fledgling democracies.
Real talk on the hospice journey
There’s a lot of misinformation about what happened during those final two years. Some folks thought he was in a coma or hidden away. Honestly, he was just living.
The medical reality was that he had dealt with melanoma that spread to his liver and brain years earlier. He’d had falls. He’d had surgery. But in the end, it was just the natural winding down of a body that had been used to its absolute limit.
His choice to skip further medical intervention in 2023 was a pivot toward quality of life. It’s a choice more families are making now because they saw him do it.
Actionable insights for those following the legacy
If you’re looking to honor the man or just stay informed on what happens next, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Visit Plains: The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is the best place to understand him. It’s not a shiny museum; it’s a town. You can see his boyhood farm and the high school where he and Rosalynn studied.
- Support the Carter Center: They are still active. Even with Jimmy gone, the center continues to fight "neglected tropical diseases" like Guinea worm. They’re very close to totally eradicating it.
- Read his books: He wrote over 30 of them. An Hour Before Daylight is arguably his best, focusing on his childhood in the rural South. It gives you a better sense of the man than any political biography ever could.
He’s gone, but the impact of that December 29th date will be felt for a long time. We don't see many 100-year lives lived with that much purpose. It was a long run, and by all accounts, he was ready for the rest.
To stay updated on the ongoing work of his foundation or to plan a visit to his memorial site, you should check the official Carter Center archives for the most current visiting hours and program updates in Plains.