The White House celebrated former President Jimmy Carter’s milestone centennial birthday Tuesday with a giant “100” sign on the North Lawn during a rainy day in the nation’s capital — making the 81-year-old current president seem young by comparison.
Carter, the oldest living president, is the first of his peers to ever reach centenarian status. The White House display also featured a “Happy Birthday President Carter” banner adorning the triple digits on the North Lawn.
“Your hopeful vision of our country, your commitment to a better world, and your unwavering belief in the power of human goodness continues to be a guiding light for all of us,” Biden said in a video honoring the 39th president.
“I admire you so darn much.”
The “100” tributary display is set to remain at the White House through the end of the day to honor Carter, who served as commander-in-chief between 1977 and 1981.
Carter has been in hospice care since February 2023 and made a rare public appearance last November at his wife Rosalynn’s memorial service. The two had been married for 77 years. She was 96.
Biden, 81, took note of Rosalynn’s absence in his birthday wishes to his predecessor.
“We know this is the first birthday without Rosalynn. It’s bittersweet, but we also know she’s always with you. She’s in your heart. She’ll never go away, she may be gone, but she’s always going to be with you,” Biden said.
The outgoing president further lauded Carter as one of “the most influential statesmen in our history.”
Carter had famously helped broker the Camp David peace accords, paving the way for Egypt and Israel to formally recognize one another after years of bitter conflict.
In the present day, the Middle East is once again plunging into disarray, with Israel and Hezbollah exchanging fire and US officials bracing for possible action from Iran.
Former President Barack Obama also celebrated Carter’s century status.
“Happy 100th birthday, President Carter! Thank you for your friendship, your fundamental decency, and your incredible acts of service through the @CarterCenter. Michelle and I are grateful for all you’ve done for this country,” Obama posted on X.
Carter became the oldest living president in 2019, surpassing the next-closest former commander-in-chief, President George H.W. Bush, who lived until 94.
The next-closest were former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, who both died at the age of 93.
Biden is the oldest sitting president — though former President Donald Trump, 78, could rip that title away from him if he wins the Nov. 5 election and serves a full term.
Carter is “excited” to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, according to his eldest grandson, Jason Carter, who lamented that the former president is not as mobile as he once was.
“He’s very limited in what he can do,” Jason told CBS. “He can’t talk on the phone.”
