Jimmy Carter Bio, Age, Height, Children, Net Worth, Wife and Other Facts

Quick Facts

Jimmy Carter is an American politician, best known for being the 39th President of the United States with his tenure running from 1977 to 1981. Carter struggled to respond to pressing challenges faced by the United States. He pulled giant stride in ensuring peace in the historic Egypt-Israeli conflict before he was succeeded by Ronald Reagan in 1981. In addition, Carter also served as the Governor of Georgia State from 1971 to 1975 and was a two-term senator in the Georgia State Senate. For his efforts in promoting peace, Jimmy Carter was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Learn more about him below.

Jimmy Carter’s Bio (Age)

He was born Jimmy Earl Carter Jr. in Plains, Georgia on October 1, 1924 to Bessie Lillian and James Earl Carter Sr. His father was a successful businessman and a reserve second lieutenant in the US Army’s Quartermaster Corps during the 1st World War; while his mother worked as a registered nurse at the Wise Sanitarium now known as the Lillian G. Carter Nursing Centre. He is the first of the four children born to his parents, he has two sisters Gloria and Ruth Carter as well as a brother Billy Carter.

Carter completed his high school education at Plains High School situated in Plains, Georgia. He played basketball for the school team and also graduated as one of the best in his class in 1941. Based on his brilliance, he was the valedictorian during his graduation. Soon after his graduation, he enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College before transferring to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in engineering. Upon graduation, he gained admission into the US Naval Academy situated in Annapolis in 1943. He graduated three years later as one of the best students in his class.

Jimmy was deployed to various locations as a naval officer from 1948 and after five years of service, he left from active duty. He served in the inactive Navy Reserve just like his father from 1953 to 1961 before he left with a rank of lieutenant. He was decorated with the National Defensive Service Medal; China Service Medal, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal during his service.

Political Career

Carter’s father passed away in 1953 and after his death, the family business went into a state of disorganization. Jimmy was compelled to get bank loans to resuscitate the business. He also received lessons in agriculture while his wife learned account so they could work together to better manage the business effectively. While he was doing that, he also joined community politics and in 1955, he won a seat in the Sumter County Board of Education which he eventually became the chairman of.

Jimmy accomplished a great feat as a Southern Politician; he was one among the white citizens who stood against all forms of racial discrimination in the South. He further declared his interest in running for the senatorial seat 15 days before the election. The election results were rigged in favor of his opponent and when he contested it in court, a new election was scheduled which he eventually won.

Serving as Georgia State Senator for two-terms from 1963 to 1967, Carter and his family became strong supporters of John F Kennedy. He earned a strong reputation as a dogged and independent politician who stood for justice, but following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Carter resigned from his duties. He was later be re-elected in 1964 for a second term and on the last day of his term; he announced his run for the Congress.

His Presidency

Jimmy Carter triumphed over his opponent Carl Sanders to win the Georgian Governorship seat in 1970; he served in this position for four years ending in 1975. He further declared his interest in vying for the presidency which led him to contest in the 1976 US Presidential Election. Having won in the Democratic Party primaries, Carter chose Senator Walter F. Mondale as his presidential running mate during the 1976 election. He defeated the incumbent President Gerald Ford and was installed as the 39th President of the United States in 1976.

Serving in the position of the POTUS, Carter’s biggest achievement was ensuring peace between Israel and Egypt which led to a historic peace treaty between the Camp David Accords. Despite Carter’s noteworthy achievements, his government was considered a failure because of his poor relationship with the Congress and the media. Also, his failure to rescue the 66 Americans who were taken hostage at the US Embassy in Iran in 1979 contributed to his failure in his re-election bid. During the 1980 Presidential Election, Carter lost to Ronald Reagan and the hostages were released on the day he left office.

 Post Presidency

While he was largely regarded as an unsuccessful President of the United States, Carter managed to rebuild his reputation through his humanitarian efforts. Today, he is considered one of the greatest ex-presidents in the American history. He founded a non-governmental organization called the Carter Center in 1982. The organization helps in advancing human rights and poverty alleviation in over 80 countries of the world. He served as a diplomat during President ’s regime and also offered himself to the  administration to serve as a diplomatic envoy to North Korea.

Net Worth: How Much is Jimmy Carter Worth?

Unlike some of the former presidents of the United States, Jimmy Carter came from a relatively wealthy background. He was the only US president in history to have lived in a subsidized housing before assuming office. However, Carter isn’t one of the richest presidents American ever had;  is. Carter’s net worth is penned at $8 million.

Jimmy Carter’s Wife and Children

Carter met his wife Rosalynn Smith while he was in the Naval Academy and the duo tied the knot in 1946. The amazing couple has been married for over 70 years and they have four children; three sons – Donnel, Jack, and James as well as a daughter Amy Carter. In addition, they also have two great-grandsons, eight grandsons, and three granddaughters. His eldest son Jack Carter contested for the Nevada Senate in 2006 while his grandson Jason Carter is a former Georgia State Senator. He lost his grandson Jeremy Carter to an undisclosed illness in December 2015.

His Height and Other Interesting Facts

1. Jimmy Carter is not the tallest ex-president of the US but he is certainly not the shortest either; he stands at a height of 5 feet 9.5 inches.

2. He has made funeral arrangements for him to be buried in his home in Plains, Georgia.

3. The South Field Airport, Georgia was renamed Jimmy Carter Regional Airport in 2009.

4. Carter has a family history of cancer, his parents and three siblings all died of cancer.

5. He triumphed over Gerald Ford to win the US President and was defeated by Ronald Reagan after his first term.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.