Jimmy Carter Turns 100 to Vote in This Year’s Presidential Election: The Power of Purpose in Longevity

Highlights: 

• Carter’s family has said Jimmy is sticking it out until this year’s presidential election with his money on Harris. 
• Carter has also been eating healthy and exercising his whole life while challenging himself, helping others, being friendly, and practicing Christianity. 

Jimmy Carter, the 39^th U.S. president, led the country from 1977 to 1981, leaving presidency at age 56. He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize “for decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” One of his highest achievements was mediating a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1978. On October 1, 2024, Carter turned 100, making him the oldest former president in history. The following are his secrets to a long life. 

Purpose 

Having a sense of purpose in life is associated with a longer life. In part, Carter’s sense of purpose came from giving affordable homes to people in need. Through Habitat for Humanity, Jimmy and his wife Rosalynn Carter helped build, renovate, and repair more than 4,400 homes in 14 countries over 35 years. Helping those in need of shelter is said to have given Jimmy great joy. 

Following the cessation of Habitat for Humanity, Jimmy was left with less to live for after Rosalynn passed away in November of 2023. Since then, Jimmy’s grandson Jason Carter told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Jimmy is “more alert and interested in politics and the war in Gaza.” According to Jason, Jimmy also hopes to live long enough to vote in this year’s election, saying, “I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris.” 

In a 2018 interview with CBS News, Jimmy said Donald Trump was “very careless with the truth.” This may explain the reasoning behind Jimmy’s decision to vote for Harris. This sort of drive to vote against someone not seen fit for office appears to be a contributing factor in Jimmy’s longevity. 

Challenging Oneself 

Challenging oneself may increase the size of a region of the brain called the anterior midcingulate cortex, staving off neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Ultimately, a sound mind leads to a longer life, suggesting that challenging oneself promotes longevity. 

According to Today, Carter has always been looking for new challenges. He founded the Carter Center, a nongovernmental human rights organization that has helped alleviate the suffering of individuals from over 80 countries. He is also said to have learned to ski when he was 62. “Jimmy doesn’t want to just learn about things, he wants to do them,” once said Rosalynn. 

Diet and Exercise 

Getting adequate and regular physical activity is one the most well-established ways of promoting a long and healthy life. Until he was 80, Carter was a fervid runner but after a knee injury switched to walking and swimming. He also bicycled with Rosalynn, sometimes across the country and abroad. Moreover, Carter wrote in his biography that he enjoys fly-fishing and woodworking, a skill utilized for building houses for Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, Carter never smoked, maintained a healthy weight by consuming a healthy diet, and only drank moderately, which are key death-delaying lifestyle habits. 

Being Friendly 

Social isolation is associated with a shorter life. As such, being friendly enough to garnish a social network into old age can promote longevity. Carter is known for his gregarious personality, as shown by a viral video of him shaking hands with every person on a plane flight at age 92. On September 17, 2024, the Carter Center hosted a concert event where 4,000 of Carter’s family members, friends, and fans came together to celebrate his 100^th birthday. 

Spirituality 

Spirituality and religiosity are associated with longevity (a longer life). Spirituality may help individuals focus on gratitude and associate themselves with positive people. This can help manage stress and provide a sense of meaning. After serving as president, Carter taught Sunday school at the same church he and his wife attended. He also wrote in one of his books, “Our religious beliefs are important for us.” 

Enjoying Life without Destroying the Body 

There are many ways to enjoy life. However, some methods are more detrimental to our body than others. Carter seems to have found a way to enjoy life while eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. His joy comes from helping others, learning new things, being friendly, and having a sense of purpose and meaning. This combination seems conducive to longevity.