Jimmy Carter, a former US president, will receive hospice care written 16 hours ago

 The Carter Center said on Saturday that former US president Jimmy Carter has chosen to undergo hospice care and "spend his remaining time at home with his family" rather than further medical treatment.

The longest-living former US president in history, Jimmy Carter, a Democrat who held office from January 1977 to January 1981, is now 98 years old.

"His family and medical staff are fully behind him. The Carter family requests privacy at this time and is appreciative of the compassion exhibited by his numerous fans, according to a statement from the centre.

The Georgia native had melanoma that spread to his liver and brain in recent years, but he had reacted well to treatment. He also had other health difficulties.

The former peanut farmer's turbulent four years in power were marked by domestic economic problems and the Iran hostage situation, which was resolved shortly after he stepped down. Carter, however, also played a crucial part in mediating the Camp David agreements, which resulted in the historic peace deal between Egypt and Israel.

In 1980, voters overwhelmingly supported Republican opponent and former actor-turned-California governor Ronald Reagan, removing him from office in a landslide.

Carter, though, restored his reputation by devoting decades of his life to humanitarian endeavours.

His "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international crises, to strengthen democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social growth" earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

He was also frequently spotted working as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, hammer in hand, constructing affordable homes.

Carter has four children with his wife Rosalynn, whom he wed in 1946.

At his Georgia home, former US President Jimmy Carter will stop receiving medical treatment and transition to hospice care, his foundation announced on Saturday.

The Carter Center stated that Mr. Carter has made the decision to "spend his remaining time at home with his family," but did not provide any other information.

Recent health problems for Mr. Carter, 98, included a melanoma that metastasized to his liver and brain.

He served as the nation's oldest living president from 1977 until 1981.

Mr. Carter encountered numerous foreign policy difficulties while serving as president, and the Democrat lost to Ronald Reagan in the race for reelection.

"His family and medical staff are fully behind him. The Carter family requests discretion at this time and is touched by the compassion displayed by his numerous fans "In a statement released on Saturday, the Carter Center said.

Patients who are terminally sick may elect to receive hospice care rather than additional medical attention. In the final stages of a patient's life, comfort is more important than continuing treatment.

Jason Carter, a former state legislator from Georgia and the grandson of Mr. Carter, tweeted that he had seen "both of my grandparents yesterday."

"They are content, and their house is as always filled with affection. I appreciate all of your warm sentiments "said he.

The 75th wedding anniversary of Mr. Carter and his wife Roslyn was observed in 2021. Together, they are parents to four kids.

Jimmy Carter, a resurrected politician

Born in Georgia in 1924, Mr. Carter entered politics in the 1960s after winning a seat as a state senator. In 1971, he was elected governor of the state.

He defeated Republican President Gerald Ford to become the 39th head of state five years later.

Yet, issues for Mr. Carter as president swiftly grew worse.

He found it difficult to convince Americans to embrace the necessary austerity measures at home, where an energy crisis had led to significant unemployment and inflation.

The signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978, by which Egypt legally recognised the establishment of Israel, was the pinnacle of the Carter administration.

A deal that gave Panama back ownership of the Panama Canal was also signed by him.

The last Iranian Shah was deposed in 1979, and 66 Americans were then held hostage in Tehran as a result. In retaliation, Mr. Carter severing diplomatic ties with Iran and imposing a trade boycott.

Yet as the US hostages were kept hostage for 444 days, the public began to doubt his toughness, and he saw a decline in popularity. The failure of the hostage rescue attempt, which resulted in the deaths of eight American military personnel, further lowered his approval ratings.

Then, until after Ronald Reagan took office, Iran postponed the captives' release.

Carter became the 39th president by defeating Gerald Ford, a Republican who was in office at the time.

Mr. Carter has continued to be involved since leaving the White House, working on humanitarian projects via his Carter Center.

In 1994, he led a mission that attempted to persuade Haiti's military commanders to cede control, and in Bosnia, he mediated a cease-fire that helped open the door for a future peace agreement.

He later developed a global reputation for his efforts to advance human rights and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

He co-founded The Elders with Nelson Mandela, an association of world leaders dedicated to advancing human rights and promoting peace.

He also took part in annual excursions to help build homes with the organisation Habitat for Humanity and travelled widely, far into his early nineties.

Yet, the former president has recently struggled with a number of health concerns. Mr. Carter underwent liver surgery to remove a tiny malignant tumour in August 2015.

The next year, he declared that he was done with therapy since an experimental medication had wiped out all evidence of cancer.

He frequently displays a remarkable serenity when addressing his health issues.

In 2015, he declared, "I'm completely at ease with whatever comes." "I've led a thrilling, adventurous, and fulfilling life."

In the little Georgia town of Plains, where he and his wife were born between the First World War and the Great Depression, and where they returned when he left office, Mr. Carter celebrated his most recent birthday in October.

As the news of Mr. Carter's passing spread on Saturday night, a number of prominent American politicians, including Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, expressed their condolences to his family.

Senator Warnock tweeted, "God is clearly walking with him in this delicate period of transition." "May he, Rosalynn, and the entire Carter family find solace in that calm and feel our love and prayers around them."