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Jimmy Carter is about to become the longest-living president in American history

On Friday, Jimmy Carter - the 39th president of the United States - will become the longest-living president in U.S. history.

FILE - This Sept. 12, 2018, file photo shows former President Jimmy Carter answering questions from students during his annual town hall with Emory University in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
FILE - This Sept. 12, 2018, file photo shows former President Jimmy Carter answering questions from students during his annual town hall with Emory University in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)Read moreCurtis Compton / AP
    by Deanna Paul, Washington Post
    Published 

Jimmy Carter — the 39th president of the United States — has recently celebrated multiple record-breaking milestones: The 40th anniversary of his inauguration was in 2017, and he joined George H.W. Bush as the only other president to reach 94 in October.

On Friday, at the age of 94 years and 172 days, Carter will also become the longest-living president in U.S. history.

Born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Ga., the typically cheery and humble former Navy lieutenant has had a life of service. Before taking office as president, he served as a state senator in Georgia and as governor.

His presidency — remembered for the Camp David accords, the Iran hostage crisis, and creation of the Departments of Energy and Education — flamed out during the election of 1980, when Ronald Reagan defeated him.

After leaving the White House in 1981, Carter, then 56, and his wife, Rosalynn, returned to their hometown in southern Georgia.

Carter remains engaged in the causes and activities that matter most, according to the Carter Center's director of communications, Deanna Congileo: He participates in the Carter Center programs in global peace and health and annual Habitat for Humanity builds, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, for work during and after his time in office. Carter also continues to teach Sunday school lessons and courses at Emory University.

“Both President and Mrs. Carter are determined to use their influence for as long as they can to make the world a better place. Their tireless resolve and heart have helped to improve life for millions of the world’s poorest people,” Congileo wrote in an email to the Washington Post.

In 2015, Carter announced doctors had discovered a form of melanoma that spread to his brain.

"I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease," Carter said at a news conference that August. "I've had an exciting and adventurous and gratifying existence."

He received his first radiation treatment at 90 years old. Four months later, he was — remarkably — cancer free.