Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, the Carter Center confirmed. Carter, who made history as the country’s longest-serving president, celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year. According to Thomas Perls, a pediatrician and head of the New England Centenarians, about 10% of people have the potential to live to be 100 years old. (Also read: People are living longer, but are they okay? Study reveals hidden cost of longevity to human health ,
Howard Friedman, Ph.D., author of “The Longevity Project” and professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, tells TODAY that such remarkable longevity arises from a complex interplay of genetics, lifestyle habits, environmental factors, and luck over time. . He notes that some of these patterns may have influenced Carter’s long life.
Here are some lessons we can learn from the former president’s remarkable journey:
1. Sense of purpose
Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, were deeply committed to community service, devoting their time to building, renovating, and repairing more than 4,300 homes in 14 countries through Habitat for Humanity since 1984.
In one of his books, Carter described how this work brought him immense happiness and satisfaction. Walter Longo, Ph.D., professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California and director of the USC Longevity Institute, previously told TODAY.com that having a sense of purpose can have a significant impact on longevity.
2. Accepting new challenges
After leaving the White House, Jimmy Carter and his wife founded the Carter Center to promote human rights and alleviate suffering around the world. He traveled extensively, wrote books, volunteered and even learned to ski on the slopes at the age of 62. Reflecting his adventurous spirit, Rosalynn shared in the book “What Makes a Marriage Last” that her husband was not satisfied with merely learning about things – he was determined to do them.
3. Maintaining relationships
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years – the longest in presidential history. Carter called it a “perfect partnership”, giving Roslin equal credit in all accomplishments. When Rosalynn died on November 19, 2023, Carter expressed, “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew someone loved and supported me.”
At his memorial service, his daughter Amy read a love letter written by Carter 75 years earlier, saying, “When I look at you, I fall in love with you again.” His immediate family includes children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
4. Stay active
Jimmy Carter was dedicated to staying active and running until the age of 80, before giving up swimming and walking due to knee problems. He and Rosalynn enjoyed biking together and also loved fly fishing and woodworking. Howard Friedman, Ph.D., highlights that consistent physical activity over time – whether formal exercise or daily tasks like farming and construction – contributes to longevity.
A study in Circulation found that at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, as well as not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moderate alcohol consumption and a balanced diet are key habits for a long life.
5. Warm and friendly personality
According to Perls, centenarians often share an extroverted temperament, forming strong friendships and social networks that promote cognitive health and prevent loneliness. This characteristic was embodied by Jimmy Carter, who is known for his friendly, caring, and empathetic personality. Perles says he was “probably the most caring and empathetic president” of his time.
In a viral video, the 92-year-old former president was also captured shaking hands with every passenger on the plane. In addition to being social, people who live longer tend to have conscientious, trustworthy, and prudent personalities that become stronger with age, says Friedman.
6. Flexibility
The former president overcame many challenges, including health issues, the death of his wife and hospice care for more than a year. According to Pearls, this reflects Carter’s flexibility, a major factor in longevity. Friedman says mental resilience involves developing long-term patterns of perseverance, purpose, and strong social relationships.
7. Faith
From 1981 to 2020, Jimmy Carter taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, reflecting the importance of faith in his life. Friedman says spirituality often promotes gratitude and connections with positive, supportive people. Pearls says that faith may have helped Carter manage stress better. Faith provides meaning and belonging, which benefits both body and soul; as Miller emphasizes, without purpose and joy, life lacks the ingredients needed for longevity.
