Jimmy Carter at 100: Longevity secrets of USA’s oldest living president

Jimmy Carterwho served as the 39th US president from 1977 to 1981 has achieved the rare feat of becoming the first former US President to turn 100. Never expecting to live this longer, Carter’s long and illustrious journey reminds one of the importance of living a fulfilled and purposeful life, with the partner that made life seem worthwhile to him.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, and growing up on his parents’ 360 acre farm, James Earl Carter wore many hats – a peanut farmer, a navy submariner, a governor, a president and a humanitarian.Throughout his life, he lived with a purpose that gave him joy, and a partner who stood by him through thick and thin.
In the year 2019, he told People Magazine that he never expected to live this long. “It’s hard to live until you’re 95 years old.”
Carter has had his own share of health issues having survived cancer and a series of falls. He entered hospice care in February 2023, and lost his beloved wife Rosalynn in November 2023.
“I’ve had a full life, I have thousands of friends … so I was surprisingly at ease, much more so than my wife was.”
Let’s understand Jimmy Carter’s secrets of a long and happy life:

Love and companionship

Carter felt marrying the best spouse helped him live a long and happy life. Rosalynn and Carter had a strong bond that kept them going. He had shared with People magazine: “I think the best explanation for that is to marry the best spouse: someone who will take care of you and engage and do things to challenge you and keep you alive and interested in life.” They were married for 77 years.

A strong sense of purpose and humanitarianism

Having a loving spouse is a plus when it comes to longevity and together being dedicated to a purpose multiplies the joy of living. Carter and his wife were actively involved in the community around them. According to Today, they helped build, renovate and repair more than 4,300 homes in 14 countries while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, the work that gave the former president immense joy.

Learning new things

Carter was an avid traveler and his mission gave him an opportunity to travel far and wide and pen his experiences. He along with his wife set up Carter Center in Atlanta to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering. He also made it a point to learn new things like downhill ski which he trained for when he was 62, his wife revealed during an interview for the book What Makes a Marriage Last. “Jimmy doesn’t want to just learn about things, he wants to do them,” Rosalynn said.

Resilience

Surviving a dreaded disease like cancer, death of a spouse and a hospice stay requires mental resilience and Carter’s life tells the tale of persistence and purpose. His friendships, close family bonds and a loving marriage played an important role in his long and joyous life, something that people who aspire to live till 100 and beyond can take note of.
The latest visual of Carter celebrating the joyous occasion of turning 100 with his friends and family is a reminder how important it is to be involved and connected with people around you and honour little things in life.
(Images courtesy: AP)