Jimmy Carter, an American politician and philanthropist with a net worth of $10 million, boasts a diverse career spanning military service, gubernatorial leadership, and a presidential tenure. Before delving into politics, Carter managed a prosperous peanut farm.
His military background, cultivated through graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1946 and subsequent service in the Navy’s submarine program, honed both his technical acumen and leadership prowess. Following his father’s demise in 1953, he transitioned to overseeing the family peanut enterprise, successfully expanding its operations.
| Category | Richest Politicians › Democrats |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Salary | $207 Thousand |
| Birthdate | Oct 1, 1924 (99 years old) |
| Birthplace | Plains |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.75 m) |
| Profession | Writer, Politician, Novelist, Author, Farmer, Statesman, Military Officer |
| Nationality | United States of America |
Embarking on his political journey, Carter secured a seat in the Georgia Senate in 1962, eventually ascending to the governorship in 1971. Notably progressive in his policies, particularly regarding civil rights and educational reform, Carter’s gubernatorial tenure set the stage for his presidential aspirations. Elected as the 39th President of the United States in 1976, Carter distinguished himself as an outsider advocating for human rights.
During his presidency (1977-1981), Carter achieved notable diplomatic feats, such as brokering the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. However, domestically, his administration grappled with economic woes, including inflation and an energy crisis, while internationally, the Iran hostage crisis posed a significant challenge.
Despite losing the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan, Carter’s post-presidential life has been characterized by remarkable activism and influence. He established the Carter Center in 1982, dedicated to global human rights, election monitoring, and disease prevention, garnering widespread acclaim for his efforts to combat diseases like Guinea worm disease. Additionally, Carter has been deeply involved in diplomatic missions worldwide, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his contributions to international conflict resolution, human rights advocacy, and economic and social development.
Beyond his formal engagements, Carter is revered for his devout faith, evident through years of Sunday school teaching, and his hands-on involvement with Habitat for Humanity, actively participating in constructing homes for the underprivileged.
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Early Life
Jimmy Carter was born James Earl Carter Jr. on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. The family moved around several times when Carter was an infant. His father was an investor in farmland, and his mother was a registered nurse. The family eventually settled in Archery and had three more children: Gloria, Ruth, and Billy.
Jimmy was educated in the public school system, attending Plains High School at the height of the Great Depression and graduating in 1941. He attended Georgia Southwestern College for one year then transferred to the Georgia Institute of Technology. He then transferred to the Naval Academy, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1946. During his time at the Academy, Jimmy met and fell in love with his sister’s best friend, Rosalynn Smith. Jimmy and Rosalynn were married soon after his graduation.
Naval Career
Between 1946 and 1953, Jimmy and Rosalynn resided in Hawaii, Virginia, New York, California, and Connecticut due to his Naval deployments. During his service in the Navy, Carter was involved in the nuclear submarine program. He commenced officers’ training for submarine duty in 1948, served aboard the USS Pomfret, and was subsequently promoted to lieutenant junior grade in 1949. In 1952, an incident occurred involving the experimental NRX reactor at the Atomic Energy of Canada’s Chalk River Laboratories, resulting in millions of liters of radioactive water flooding the reactor’s building basement. Carter was dispatched to Chalk River to supervise a maintenance crew tasked with assisting in the reactor shutdown.
The process was laborious and meticulous, requiring each member to wear protective gear to prevent radiation exposure. Jimmy later remarked that his experience at Chalk River influenced his presidential stance on atomic energy, prompting him to halt the development of a neutron bomb. Following his father’s passing in 1953, he resigned from his naval commission and returned to Georgia to be with his family. Carter was honored with several distinctions for his Naval service, including the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
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Early Political Career
Upon returning to Georgia, Rosalynn encountered challenges readjusting to the rhythms of small-town life after having become accustomed to the bustling pace of New York. Meanwhile, Jimmy assumed control of the Carter farms and managed Carter’s Warehouse, a versatile supplier of seeds and agricultural goods in Plains.
Swiftly integrating himself into the local community, he emerged as a prominent figure and developed a keen interest in politics. His ascent began with his election to the Georgia Senate in 1962, followed by his gubernatorial victory, holding office from 1971 to 1975. In his inaugural address, he boldly proclaimed, “The era of racial discrimination is at an end… No individual—be they impoverished, rural, disadvantaged, or of African descent—should ever endure the injustice of being denied access to education, employment, or fair treatment under the law.”
This declaration, delivered amidst the lingering prejudices of the southern landscape, resonated as a shocking departure from the status quo. Throughout his tenure as Governor, Carter remained steadfast in his commitment to advancing civil rights.
Presidency
Jimmy declared his intention to run for President on December 12, 1974. Securing his party’s nomination at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, he entered the primaries facing low odds against more prominent contenders, with a mere two percent name recognition.
However, amidst the escalating Watergate scandal, Carter’s status as an outsider gained traction, propelling him to the forefront by clinching victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Employing a dual approach, he positioned himself as a moderate “son of the South” in one region and appealed to conservative Christians and rural voters in another. Choosing Walter Mondale as his running mate, Jimmy engaged in three televised debates against opponent Gerald Ford.
Jimmy Carter was elected President on November 2, 1976. He won the popular vote by 2 percentage points and received 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 240. Carter was sworn in as president on January 20, 1977. On his second day in office, he issued Proclamation 4483, which pardoned all Vietnam War draft dodgers.
Significant foreign policy accomplishments during his administration include the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of US diplomatic relations with China.
Carter also established the Department of Energy and the Department of Education during his term. He championed human rights all over the world and was a staunch supporter of a comprehensive energy program and major environmental protection legislation.
The end of his presidential tenure was rocked by the 1979-1981 Iran hostage crisis, the 1979 energy cruises, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Carter embraced the idea of a universal health care system for everyone in the country but was ultimately thwarted at each try.
Later Life
After his resounding defeat to Ronald Reagan in the 1982 re-election campaign, Jimmy transitioned into academia, assuming the role of University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta. Concurrently, he established the Carter Center, a global organization committed to conflict resolution, democracy promotion, human rights advocacy, and disease prevention. Additionally, Carter holds the honorary position of chair for the World Justice Project.
Jimmy Carter’s commitment to philanthropy is exemplified by his extensive involvement with Habitat for Humanity. Throughout his lifetime, he authored over 30 books covering a wide array of subjects.
Although Carter’s presidency is often viewed with mixed assessments, his post-presidential years have been distinguished by his activism, philanthropy, and enduring career in education.
Salary
When he was President, Jimmy earned the then-standard $200,000 per year in salary. Thanks to inflation, this is the same as $1.4 million in today’s dollars. Current Presidents earn $400,000. As a former President, he earns an annual pension of $207,800. He also has a full staff of Secret Service protection and is paid $150,000 per year for staff.
Personal Life
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter shared a marriage that lasted from 1946 until her passing in November 2023 at the age of 96. Together, they raised three sons and a daughter. As of the current time, their offspring have welcomed eight grandsons, three granddaughters, and two great-grandsons. Notably, on October 1, 2019, Carter achieved the distinction of becoming the first living president to reach the age of 95.
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