Former US President Jimmy Carter wants to die in a family circle More than 100,000 Israelis demonstrate again against restructuring justice

Former US President Jimmy Carter wants to spend the remaining time at home with his family after a series of hospitalizations. The 98-year-old opted for palliative care at home instead of further medical steps, the foundation he founded announced on Saturday (local time). He has the full support of his family and medical team.

At the same time, the Carter Center asked for privacy to be respected. The Democratic politician from the state of Georgia in the south was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, until he was replaced by Republican Ronald Reagan. He is the oldest living former president. His successors Reagan and George Bush died in 2004 and 2018 respectively. In 2002 Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his international services. He has been married to his wife Rosalynn (95) for 76 years.

Carter’s health has deteriorated in recent months, the Washington Post and other US media report. He now uses a wheelchair and his wife needs a walking aid. Grandson Jason Carter tweeted on Sunday: “I saw both my grandparents yesterday. They are at peace and – as always – their home is full of love.” He now leads the board of the foundation.

Jimmy Carter announced in 2015 that he had liver cancer. Melanomas were also discovered in his brain. A year later he announced that he had overcome the disease. In November 2019, during a church service in his hometown of Plains, the former peanut farmer made it clear that he faces death with serenity. “I didn’t ask God to let me live,” he said. “I have asked God to give me an appropriate attitude toward death.” In recent weeks, Carter has requested tours of his hometown, US media in Plains reported. For his 98th birthday, nearly five months ago, the small town organized a parade for him. A week earlier, Carter and his wife were driven through the streets in a red convertible to celebrate the annual Peanut Festival.

Current President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Carter, has been apprised of his fellow party’s health. The 80-year-old – also from the Democrats – is in close contact with the family, broadcaster CNN reports. Carter was the 39th president of the US, but only for one term. He lost the 1980 presidential election to Reagan. His reign was mostly overshadowed by the kidnapping of diplomats in the US embassy in Tehran in 1979 and the failed liberation operation the following year. In 1982, he and his wife founded the Carter Center for the Advancement of Democracy, Human Rights and Economic Development in Atlanta.

In 2002, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his global commitment to conflict resolution. Carter also repeatedly interfered in American politics. Contrary to custom, he also criticized subsequent presidents – most recently Republican Donald Trump. (sda/dpa)