Jimmy Carter left office in 1981 one of the least popular U.S. presidents ever. He died Sunday, at the age of 100, according to his son, James E. Carter III, as one of the most popular ex-presidents ever. Indeed, he redefined the role. Carter’s predecessor, the never-actually-elected Gerald Ford, was Exhibit A of the previous model of ex-presidency, which had three components: giving speeches around the world; associating yourself in some way with uncontroversial charities; and playing golf. Carter did not have time for golf. He was too busy improving the world.
This is not to say that Jimmy Carter, as president, did not improve the world. He did, in spades. He facilitated negotiations between Egypt’s president Anwar Sadat and Israel’s prime minister Menachem Begin at Camp David, the presidential retreat, where the two leaders reached an agreement that established the framework for the first peace treaty between an Arab country and the Jewish state. He oversaw the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II) with Russia; the implementation of active, ongoing diplomacy with China; and the pivotal Panama Canal Treaty. At home, he managed to triple the size of America’s protected wilderness areas and established two new governmental agencies: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. No mean feats–and good works all.
Indeed, he died with a reputation for decency and for good works, largely channeled through the Carter Center, based in Atlanta, achieving watersheds that no former or subsequent president has. He worked tirelessly with his wife, Rosalynn, whom he’d married in 1946–on myriad projects, most notably their transformative partnership with Habitat for Humanity; each year, the couple literally rolled up their sleeves and helped build affordable housing, often for the underserved in impoverished or climate-ravaged communities. He started an initiative focused on election observation, monitoring ballot box integrity in attempts to ensure free and fair elections around the world. He worked to prevent life-threatening diseases such as guinea worm and malaria. And in 2002 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts “to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
From Bettmann/Getty Images.
Carter’s formula has since become the gold standard for ex-presidents. Here’s what you need. First, build a “museum” or “library” where the ex-president’s memorabilia and archives are protected from the elements for all time, and where tourists may go and teach their children about the great man’s gre