Former President Jimmy Carter turns 97
The nation’s oldest former president, Jimmy Carter, marks his 97th birthday on Friday.
An aide told The Associated Press that Carter will spend the day quietly at his home in southwest Georgia. No public appearances have been planned.
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Online, The Carter Center collected birthday wishes for the former president and dozens of people shared well-wishes. Many did not mention Carter’s Democratic presidency, which ran from 1977 to 1981. Instead, most focused on his post-presidential life, when Carter began teaching Sunday school and — through The Carter Center — worked on addressing issues related to human rights and democracy.
“You are a true hero, speaking truth to power, and standing up for human rights everywhere,” one birthday greeting read. “You and your dear wife Rosalyn are the conscience of the nation, demonstrating wholeheartedly serving humanity through your examples.”
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded The Carter Center in 1982. The couple celebrated 75 years of marriage in July.
>> Related: ‘Full partnership’: Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter prepare to celebrate 75th wedding anniversary
At their home in Plains, Georgia, the Carters met with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in April.
“We sat and talked about the old days,” Joe Biden said after the meeting. “We just had a nice time.”
>> Related: Presidential sit-down: Carter, Biden visit photo released
In 2015, Jimmy Carter disclosed that doctors had discovered four melanoma lesions on his brain. By March 2016, his doctors had determined he no longer needed treatment.
The former president has also had a string of falls, including one in October 2019 that left him with a broken pelvis, according to the AP. Recently, he has used a walker when appearing in public, the AP reported.
Jimmy(James Earl) Carter as Ensign, USN, circa World War II. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
(Original Caption) Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter formerly announces intention to seek Dem. President candidacy here.
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, 39th President of the United States (1977-1981), Governor of Georgia (1971-1975). (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
President Jimmy Carter. (Photo by/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)
Louisville, Kentucky, USA – November 23, 1975: Then Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter stands in front of posters saying ‘Let’s Elect JIMMY CARTER President’ and addresses the National Democratic Issues Convention. (Photo by Mariette Pathy Allen/Getty Images)
(Original Caption) 11/23/1976-Washington, DC- Striking a pose similar to that of George Washington in the painting behind him, President-elect Jimmy Carter speaks to reporters at the Capitol where he met with House and Senate leaders.
President Carter watches television after his presidential inauguration. Washington DC, January 20, 1977. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
(Original Caption) 3/16/1977-Clinton, MA: President Jimmy Carter as he addresses a town meeting.
U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the White House during a fireside chat on the Panama Canal Treaty, Washington, D.C., USA, photograph by Marion S. Trikosko,. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
American President Jimmy Carter lays a wreath at the foot of a tomb at the cemetery at Omaha Bearch, where American soldiers killed during the Normandy landing of June 6, 1944 are buried, during his official trip to France. (Photo by Henri Bureau/Sygma/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
November 17, 1979: President Carter, shown waist-up, waves as he boards a helicopter on the White House lawn to fly to Camp David, Maryland, where he will spend the Thanksgiving holiday. He canceled a holiday in Georgia because of the Iranian crisis.
1979 President Jimmy Carter with his name in large letters above him appearing at a high school. (Photo by Ray Fisher/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images)
(Original Caption) Washington: President Carter speaks of the need for new energy source as he stands onto he roof of the West Wing of the White House to dedicate a newly installed solar heating system. The $28,000 unit primarily provides hot water for the staff mess hall.
(Original Caption) 3/24/1979-Elk City, Oklahoma: President Jimmy Carter addressing a town meeting. American flag is hung in background.
Jimmy Carter waves before the crowd on the floor of the Democratic Convention of 1980. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter renovating an apartment building on the Lower East Side for Project Habitat for Humanity, New York, NY 1984 (Photo by Evelyn Floret/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images via Getty Images)
ATLANTA – OCTOBER 17: Former President Jimmy Carter throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game One of the 1992 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fulton County Stadium on October 17, 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Blue Jays 3-1. (Photo by MLB via Getty Images)
ATLANTA – January 4: Former US President Jimmy Carter photographed with a wooden Chess set, board, case and photo album he made by hand at The Carter Center on January 4,1993 in Atlanta Georgia. (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 717 — Pictured: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on June 21, 1995 — (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter attends Habitat For Humanity Benefit Project on June 23, 1995 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Former US president Jimmy Carter takes a rest June 2, 1997, during an early bicycle tour at the office of Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok in The Hague. Carter and some members of his family cycled some 25 km (16 miles) from the Noordwijk congress center through the dunes to the center of The Hague. Carter is taking part in the Inter Action Council of former heads of state and governments. (Photo credit should read ED OUDENAARDEN/AFP via Getty Images)
ATLANTA — SEPT 14: Former President Jimmy Carter interviewed for "The Presidents’ Gatekeepers" project at the Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, September 14, 2011. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
ATLANTA — SEPT 14: Former President Jimmy Carter interviewed for "The Presidents’ Gatekeepers" project at the Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, September 14, 2011. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Former US president Jimmy Carter speaks during a press conference about his home building work project on November 7, 2011 in Leogane, south of Port-au-Prince for victims of the last earthquake of January 12, 2010. AFP PHOTO/Thony BELIZAIRE (Photo credit should read THONY BELIZAIRE/AFP via Getty Images)
Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school on Easter Sunday at Maranatha Baptist Church on April 20, 2014 in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chris McKay/Getty Images)
Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school on Easter Sunday at Maranatha Baptist Church on April 20, 2014 in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chris McKay/Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter speaks onstage during the 2015 MusiCares Person of The Year honoring Bob Dylan held at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter attends the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The annual benefit raises critical funds for MusiCares’ Emergency Financial Assistance and Addiction Recovery programs. For more information visit musicares.org. (Photo by Michael Kovac/WireImage)
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks to the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church before teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on April 28, 2019. Carter, 94, has taught Sunday school at the church on a regular basis since leaving the White House in 1981, drawing hundreds of visitors who arrive hours before the 10:00 am lesson in order to get a seat and have a photograph taken with the former President and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES – 2018/03/26: Former US President Jimmy Carter at a book signing for his new book "Faith: A Journey For All" at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan in New York City. (Photo by Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
FILE- In this Oct. 7, 2019 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter builds corbels at a Habitat for Humanity project in Nashville, Tenn. Carter fell at home, requiring 14 stitches, but he did not let his injuries keep him from participating in his 36th building project with the nonprofit Christian housing organization. Carter, the longest serving president in U.S. history, recovered from several falls this year. This was one of the top stories in Georgia in 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
FILE-In this Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 file photo, Former President Jimmy Carter answers questions during a news conference at a Habitat for Humanity project, in Nashville, Tenn. Carter has been hospitalized after an another fall at his home in Plains, Ga. A statement from The Carter Center says Carter suffered "a minor pelvic fracture" on Monday, Oct. 21 but remains in good spirits and looks forward to recovering at home. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, left, meets with former President Jimmy Carter, center, at the Buffalo Cafe in Plains, Ga., Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
