Former US President Jimmy Carter, who has died at the age of 100, spent many holidays in Wales and described it as one of the “most beautiful” countries he had ever visited. He had wanted to use his 1977 state visit to the UK to see the beautiful Welsh village of Laugharne, where his beloved writer Dylan Thomas had lived. But he persuaded not to by a British prime minister.
Carter, the revered 39th president, who maintained his humanitarian efforts and pursuit for peace until his final days, died peacefully in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, following his time in hospice care earlier in 2023.
Carter’s resilience was nothing short of remarkable; he triumphed over serious health issues, including brain and liver cancer, yet continued to be a staunch advocate for justice, peace, and faith. The news of his death was shared on Sunday, December 29, by his son Chip Carter, who said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
Before entering politics, Jimmy Carter had managed the family’s peanut farming business, a role he took on in 1953 following his father’s death from pancreatic cancer. Get the latest Welsh headlines delivered free to your email inbox every day
With his late wife Rosalynn, who passed away in November 2023, by his side, Carter successfully ran for the Georgia State Senate in 1962, serving from 1963 to 1967, and later as Governor from 1971 to 1975. His political career was distinguished by advocacy for civil rights, integration, human rights, and peace, a commitment that continued when he became President in 1976, a position he held until 1981.
Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn in 2018
Even after leaving office, his dedication to humanitarian causes remained unwavering; in 1982, he co-founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit organisation that carries out vital work worldwide. Carter also devoted his time to building homes for those in need with Habitat for Humanity over the years. He leaves behind four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He also had a deep love for Wales and spent many times visiting the country on fishing trips and on an official visit to Swansea in the mid 1990s. His love of fishing and for the works of Dylan Thomas meant he had forged strong links with the country.
The keen fisherman was on a holiday in west Wales in 1986 when he heard about Moc Morgan, a teacher from Tregaron who was also a champion fisherman. The former president asked to meet him on the trip and the pair struck up a friendship. Carter returned to Cardiganshire on several subsequent occasions to fish the Llyn Clywedog.
He loved the area, telling a local reporter at the time: “I’ve visited more than a hundred countries, but none as beautiful as Wales.”
Jimmy Carter on a visit to Swansea in 1995
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Carter also had a lifelong interest in the works of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and was instrumental in commemorating him in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey in 1982.. He had expressed concern during his 1977 visit that Thomas was not recognised there among the great British writers, playwrights and poets. And it led to a memorial stone for Thomas being unveiled there alongside Byron and George Eliot.
The New York Times reported in 1977 that Carter had wanted to visit Laugharne where Thomas lived and is buried. However it said the Prime Minister, Jim Callaghan, had dissuaded him fearing that it would arouse “independence-minded Welsh nationalists” and instead Carter visited Newcastle-upon-Tyne instead.
Many years later, Carter did visit Swansea. In 1995, he open Ty Llen, now the Dylan Thomas Centre, in the poet’s Swansea birthplace. And in 2002, he was photographed in Laugharne.
The former president said on his visit to Swansea: “For 45 years I have had an affinity for Dylan Thomas’s poetry and in my opinion he is one of the greatest poets of the 20th Century.
“I bought all his books and records and remember reciting his poems to my children until they memorised them.”
Former American president Jimmy Carter is pictured on an unannounced visit to Laugharne to view Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse. in September 2002. The picture was taken by resident Cedric Brown of The Strand, Laugharne, who was walking with his wife when they spotted the Carters’ visit.
(Image: Cedric Brown of The Strand, Laugharne / Evening Post Archive)
First Minister Eluned Morgan was among the many dignitaries paying tribute. She said: “Saddened to learn of Jimmy Carter’s passing. I once had the privilege of sharing a meal with him, where he spoke passionately about his love for Dylan Thomas’s poetry and Welsh culture.
“A remarkable man who served not only as America’s 39th President, but as a humanitarian and scholar. Rest in peace. Trist I glywed am farwolaeth Jimmy Carter. Gorffwys mewn hedd.”