Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, speaks in Elk City, Oklahoma, in 1979. Learn more about Carter's legacy with <a href="https://cnncreativemarketing.com/project/jimmy-carter/" target="_blank" target="_blank">CNN Films' "Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President"</a> on January 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Jimmy Carter's legacy, in photos
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, speaks in Elk City, Oklahoma, in 1979. Learn more about Carter's legacy with CNN Films' "Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President" on January 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Updated 2113 GMT (0513 HKT) March 20, 2020

Jimmy Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

In March 2019, he marked a new milestone as the oldest living former president ever. Learn more about Carter's legacy with CNN Films' "Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President" on January 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Carter, 6, poses with his sister Gloria in their hometown of Plains, Georgia, in 1931.
Carter, 6, poses with his sister Gloria in their hometown of Plains, Georgia, in 1931.
AP Photo
Carter graduated from the US Naval Academy on June 5, 1946, after completing the accelerated wartime program.
Carter graduated from the US Naval Academy on June 5, 1946, after completing the accelerated wartime program.
A.A. Bradley/AP
Carter shovels peanuts in the 1970s. Carter was the son of a peanut farmer, and he took over the family business in 1953 before his political career took off.
Carter shovels peanuts in the 1970s. Carter was the son of a peanut farmer, and he took over the family business in 1953 before his political career took off.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Carter gets a haircut during his first year as governor of Georgia. He was inaugurated on January 12, 1971.
Carter gets a haircut during his first year as governor of Georgia. He was inaugurated on January 12, 1971.
Stan Wayman/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After becoming the Democratic Party's presidential nominee in 1976, Carter raises hands with running mate Walter Mondale at the Democratic National Convention in New York. Standing to Carter's right is his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy. Carter ran as a Washington outsider and someone who promised to shake up government.
After becoming the Democratic Party's presidential nominee in 1976, Carter raises hands with running mate Walter Mondale at the Democratic National Convention in New York. Standing to Carter's right is his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy. Carter ran as a Washington outsider and someone who promised to shake up government.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Carter and US President Gerald Ford debate domestic policy at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia in September 1976. It was the first of three Ford-Carter presidential debates.
Carter and US President Gerald Ford debate domestic policy at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia in September 1976. It was the first of three Ford-Carter presidential debates.
White House Photo/National Archive
Carter embraces his wife after receiving news of his election victory on November 2, 1976. Carter received 297 electoral votes, while Ford received 241.
Carter embraces his wife after receiving news of his election victory on November 2, 1976. Carter received 297 electoral votes, while Ford received 241.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Chief Justice Warren Burger swears Carter into office on January 20, 1977, while Rosalynn Carter looks on.
Chief Justice Warren Burger swears Carter into office on January 20, 1977, while Rosalynn Carter looks on.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Carter, second from left, and his brother Billy, left, visit Georgia's St. Simons Island in 1977.
Carter, second from left, and his brother Billy, left, visit Georgia's St. Simons Island in 1977.
Pictorial Parade/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Carter delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in January 1978. "Government cannot solve our problems," he said. Anti-government sentiment at the time was brought on by economic pessimism along with the end of the Vietnam War and the unraveling of the Watergate saga.
Carter delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in January 1978. "Government cannot solve our problems," he said. Anti-government sentiment at the time was brought on by economic pessimism along with the end of the Vietnam War and the unraveling of the Watergate saga.
AP Photo
Three days before his birthday in 1978, Carter blows out candles on a birthday cake presented to him at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee.
Three days before his birthday in 1978, Carter blows out candles on a birthday cake presented to him at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee.
Barry Thumma/AP
Carter jogs on the South Lawn of the White House in December 1978.
Carter jogs on the South Lawn of the White House in December 1978.
Karl Schumacher/AFP/Getty Images
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, right, listens to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 6, 1978, at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. With Carter's help, terms of a peace accord were negotiated at Camp David. A formal treaty was signed in Washington on March 26, 1979, ending 31 years of war between Egypt and Israel. It was one of the highlights of Carter's presidency.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, right, listens to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 6, 1978, at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. With Carter's help, terms of a peace accord were negotiated at Camp David. A formal treaty was signed in Washington on March 26, 1979, ending 31 years of war between Egypt and Israel. It was one of the highlights of Carter's presidency.
AFP/Getty Images
Outgoing President Carter, left, sits with President-elect Ronald Reagan en route to Reagan's inauguration in January 1981.
Outgoing President Carter, left, sits with President-elect Ronald Reagan en route to Reagan's inauguration in January 1981.
Ronald Reagan Library/Getty Images
Before departing for Georgia following Reagan's inauguration, Carter holds his crying daughter as his wife blows a kiss at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Before departing for Georgia following Reagan's inauguration, Carter holds his crying daughter as his wife blows a kiss at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Robert Burgess/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
The Carters wear glittering garlands and a turban given to them by Pakistani tribesmen at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in November 1986. They also received a pair of rams.
The Carters wear glittering garlands and a turban given to them by Pakistani tribesmen at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in November 1986. They also received a pair of rams.
AFP/Getty Images
Carter addresses a United Nations interfaith service at New York's Trinity Church in September 1991. His speech was entitled "The Present Role of the United Nations in a Changing World."
Carter addresses a United Nations interfaith service at New York's Trinity Church in September 1991. His speech was entitled "The Present Role of the United Nations in a Changing World."
Evy Mages/AFP/Getty Images
From left, former President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Carter and Vice President Al Gore attend the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia in 1997. They helped clean up local neighborhoods as part of the effort to encourage volunteer service.
From left, former President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Carter and Vice President Al Gore attend the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia in 1997. They helped clean up local neighborhoods as part of the effort to encourage volunteer service.
Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images
Clinton presented Carter with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, on August 9, 1999. Carter was recognized for his diplomatic achievements and humanitarian efforts.
Clinton presented Carter with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, on August 9, 1999. Carter was recognized for his diplomatic achievements and humanitarian efforts.
Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images
Carter works at a construction site sponsored by the Jimmy Carter Work Project in Asan, South Korea, on August 6, 2001. The Carters have been involved with the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity since 1984.
Carter works at a construction site sponsored by the Jimmy Carter Work Project in Asan, South Korea, on August 6, 2001. The Carters have been involved with the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity since 1984.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Cuban President Fidel Castro calls for time as Carter prepares to throw the first pitch at a baseball game in Havana, Cuba, in May 2002.
Cuban President Fidel Castro calls for time as Carter prepares to throw the first pitch at a baseball game in Havana, Cuba, in May 2002.
Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images
Students at the University of Havana listen to Carter outline his vision for improved relations between the United States and Cuba on May 14, 2002. The speech was broadcast live and uncensored on Cuban state television.
Students at the University of Havana listen to Carter outline his vision for improved relations between the United States and Cuba on May 14, 2002. The speech was broadcast live and uncensored on Cuban state television.
Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images
Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, in December 2002. He was recognized for his many years of public service, and in his acceptance speech he urged others to work for peace.
Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, in December 2002. He was recognized for his many years of public service, and in his acceptance speech he urged others to work for peace.
Arne Knudsen/Getty Images
Carter adjusts his headphones at a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, in January 2003. He proposed a referendum on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's presidency or an amendment to the constitution as a way to end the political crisis in the South American nation.
Carter adjusts his headphones at a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, in January 2003. He proposed a referendum on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's presidency or an amendment to the constitution as a way to end the political crisis in the South American nation.
Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean speaks beside Carter during a campaign stop in Plains, Georgia, in January 2004.
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean speaks beside Carter during a campaign stop in Plains, Georgia, in January 2004.
Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images
Rosalynn Carter smashes a bottle of champagne against the sail of the USS Jimmy Carter during the submarine's christening ceremony in Connecticut on June 5, 2004.
Rosalynn Carter smashes a bottle of champagne against the sail of the USS Jimmy Carter during the submarine's christening ceremony in Connecticut on June 5, 2004.
Department of Defense/National Archive
The Carters wave to the audience at the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004.
The Carters wave to the audience at the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Carter checks his notes while observing a polling station in Maputo, Mozambique, in December 2004. Since 1989, the Carter Center has been observing elections around the world to determine their legitimacy. The nonprofit organization was founded by Carter and his wife to advance human rights across the globe.
Carter checks his notes while observing a polling station in Maputo, Mozambique, in December 2004. Since 1989, the Carter Center has been observing elections around the world to determine their legitimacy. The nonprofit organization was founded by Carter and his wife to advance human rights across the globe.
Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images
In February 2007, Carter speaks to children in Ghana on the seriousness of eradicating guinea worm disease.
In February 2007, Carter speaks to children in Ghana on the seriousness of eradicating guinea worm disease.
Courtesy Carter Center
The Carters arrive for President Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2009.
The Carters arrive for President Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2009.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Carter testifies in May 2009 during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on energy independence and security.
Carter testifies in May 2009 during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on energy independence and security.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya speaks in June 2009 during a joint news conference with Carter in Gaza. Carter denounced the deprivations facing Palestinians in Gaza as unique in history, asserting that they are being treated "like animals."
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya speaks in June 2009 during a joint news conference with Carter in Gaza. Carter denounced the deprivations facing Palestinians in Gaza as unique in history, asserting that they are being treated "like animals."
Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images
Carter walks out of the Hall of Remembrance at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem in August 2009. The Elders, an independent council of retired world figures, kicked off a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories in a bid to encourage Middle East peace efforts.
Carter walks out of the Hall of Remembrance at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem in August 2009. The Elders, an independent council of retired world figures, kicked off a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories in a bid to encourage Middle East peace efforts.
Yehuda Raizner/AFP/Getty Images