The former president of the United States, James Earl Carter (Jimmy Carter), has died at the age of 100, his son confirmed to US media.
Carter served as the 39th US president from 1977 to 1981. During his term, he had been labelled weak, naive and indecisive, but after he left the White House, he impressed leaders globally.
In 2002, Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize, for his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."
Heads of state from across the world have paid tribute to the former president.
'Decades of selfless service'
British monarch Charles III said he had learned "with great sadness" of Carter's death. He described him as a "committed" man who "devoted his life to the promotion of peace and human rights". He remembers his visit to the UK in 1977 "with great affection."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to Carter's "lifelong commitment to peace," marked by "decades of selfless service."
Former US president Jimmy Carter (Centre) and Former European Commissioner for External Relations and Trade Willy de Clercq (Right). Credit: Belga Archives
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that "the United States has lost a committed fighter for democracy. The world has lost a great mediator for peace in the Middle East and for human rights."
French President Emmanuel Macron said Carter had "defended the rights of the most vulnerable and tirelessly led the fight for peace."
Pope John Paul II embraces US President Jimmy Carter on the north lawn of the White House in Washington on 6 October 1979. Credit: Belga
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that Carter would be remembered "for his solidarity with the most vulnerable, his constant grace and his unshakeable faith in the common good and our common humanity."
World Health Organisation (WHO) Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the work of the Jimmy Carter Foundation, which "has saved countless lives and brought many neglected tropical diseases closer to elimination."
US president Jimmy Carter meets USSR chair Nikita Chrustshov in front of US embassy in Vienna, Austria, 4 June 1961. Credit: Belga
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that he was "deeply saddened" by the death of former US head of state Jimmy Carter at the age of 100, according to CCTV. Carter "had long made a significant contribution to advancing relations between China and the United States and promoted friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid tribute on Monday to Jimmy Carter's "unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and democratic values," as well as "his unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of unjustified Russian aggression."
Visit to Belgium
Carter visited Belgium in October 2011.
During this trip, the former US president met with outgoing Minister of Development Cooperation Olivier Chastel.
Olivier Chastel shakes hands with Jimmy Carter on Monday 3 October 2011 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Carter also met with members of the Belgian royal family.
L-R: Former Prime Minister Yves Leterme, Jimmy Carter, Princess Astrid of Belgium and Outgoing Minister of Development Cooperation Olivier Chastel.
Former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme and former US president Jimmy Carter shake hands during Carter's visit to Belgium, Monday 3 October 2011 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
