More now from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden's statement, which says: "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.

"Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.

"With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.

"He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.

"We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts.

"To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy.

"And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning - the good life - study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility.

Image source, EPA

US President Joe Biden has honoured former president Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100, describing him as "a man of principle, faith, and humility".

Biden called the fellow Democrat a "dear friend" and said he would arrange a state funeral for him in Washington DC.

We’ll share his full statement shortly.

Lisa Lambert
US reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, say they are mourning the passing of Jimmy Carter and "give thanks for his long, good life".

"Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others - until the very end," they say in a statement shared by Clinton's spokesperson.

While many are reflecting on Carter's post-presidency work, Clinton highlights achievements from his time in the White House, including returning the Panama Canal to Panama. He also praises Carter's efforts in securing peace between Egypt and Israel, protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and prioritising energy conservation.

Clinton goes on to commend Carter's tireless work after leaving office to create a "better, fairer world".

Both Democratic governors from the South, Clinton recalls supporting Carter’s presidential campaign and awarding him and Rosalynn the Medal of Freedom in 1999.

Many global issues remain familiar 43 years after the Carter presidencypublished at 22:16 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2024

22:16 GMT 29 December 2024

Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent

Forty-three years have elapsed between the end of Jimmy Carter's presidency and the day he died. Four decades seem like a long time – a record for a former US president – yet many of the challenges facing America in the final days of 2024 are not so different from those Carter faced, and at times succumbed to, in the late 1970s.

The US during the Carter years faced a crisis of confidence. Americans were grappling with economic turmoil at home and a range of challenges to US power abroad. Fast forward four decades, and the players and issues are strikingly familiar – the economy and the environment, Russia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. Years have passed, the leaders have changed, but the challenges remain.

Carter celebrated the power of US diplomacy by brokering the Camp David peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1978, but the glow of success was fleeting. The limits of American power were painfully apparent during the Iranian hostage crisis a year later, after US embassy staff in Tehran were taken prisoner.

It took more than 12 months of intense efforts – diplomatic and military – to free them, and the saga, which ended when they were freed just hours after Carter left office, contributed to his 1980 loss to Ronald Reagan.

Image source, Reuters

President-elect Donald Trump has paid tribute to Jimmy Carter.

"The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude," Trump posted on Truth Social., external

"Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers."

Image source, Reuters

US politicians have been paying tribute to Jimmy Carter.

The New York Times quotes Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, who says: “Jimmy Carter’s character and commitment, just like his crops, were fruits of all-American soil. After every season when life led him to lofty service far from home, he came back home again, determined to plow his unique experiences and influence into helping others.”

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries says he is "thankful" for the "incredible life, legacy and leadership" of Carter.

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer says Carter was “one of our most humble and devoted public servants".

House majority leader Steve Scalise posts on social media that Carter "set the standard for post-presidential service".

The Empire State Building will be lit up in red, white and blue - the colours of the American flag - to honour "the life and legacy" of former president Jimmy Carter, it says in a statement on social media.

More now from the Carter Center's statement on the death of the former president.

It says he is survived by his four children: Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy, along with 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Smith Carter, who passed away on 19 November last year, and one grandchild, the Carter Center says.

We’ve just had more from the Carter Center, which has confirmed the death of the former US president.

In a statement, it says Carter passed away peacefully on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by family.

His son, Chip Carter, says: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.

“My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

The former president was born on 1 October 1924 as James Earl Carter Jr, in the small town of Plains, Georgia. He was the eldest of four children. His father ran a family peanut business, and his mother, Lillian, was a registered nurse.

Image source, Getty Images

In high school, he was a star basketball player, and then spent seven years in the US Navy - during which time he married Rosalynn.

Image source, Jimmy Carter Library

Carter was reportedly devastated when he had to resign from the US Navy when his father died in 1953, and he was forced to run the family’s struggling farm. But he managed to turn the business around, becoming quite wealthy in the process.

Image source, Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Image source, The Carter Center/X

In a post on social media, the Carter Center says: "Our founder, former US President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia."

Democrat Jimmy Carter, who was US president from 1977 to 1981, lived longer than any other president after leaving the White House.

His humanitarian efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize after his time in office.

We’ll be reflecting on his life and sharing reactions to the news of his death.

Former US President Jimmy Carter has died, his foundation the Carter Center has announced.

Carter served as the 39th president from 1977 until 1981. He was aged 100, making him the longest-lived president in US history.

During his tenure as president Carter faced a spate of foreign policy challenges and the Democrat was defeated in his re-election bid by Ronald Reagan.

Last year it was announced that he would receive hospice care at home, following the end of his medical treatment. Carter had been suffering health issues, including a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.