The secret to a fulfilling and contented existence, as shared by former President Jimmy Carter: 'Choose a suitable partner'

Today, former President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday, having defied the odds and attributed his longevity to the strong relationships in his life, particularly his marriage.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president from 1977 to 1981, is the oldest former president in U.S. history.

In 2019, Carter admitted to People Magazine that he never anticipated living as long as he has: "It's challenging to survive until you're 95 years old."

In February 2023, after multiple hospital stays and a cancer diagnosis in 2015, President Carter began receiving hospice care at home.

"I thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease," he said during a 2015 press conference. "I've had a full life, thousands of friends, so I was surprisingly at ease, much more so than my wife."

Who was his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023 at 96 years old, and how did they maintain their happiness together throughout their long lives?

He stated that the key to living a longer life is finding the best partner, someone who will support and challenge him, keeping him engaged and interested in life.

The former president and first lady, who have been married for 77 years, didn't prioritize longevity in their relationship, according to People. Instead, they focused on serving their community and supporting each other.

When the two met at Plains United Methodist Church in their hometown of Plains, Georgia, Mr. Carter began their love story. He asked her on a date to the movies, and told his mom that he was going to marry Rosalynn the next morning, he said in his interview with The Post.

They had four children and a total of 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In 1982, Jimmy Carter and Rosalind Carter founded The Carter Center, a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing people's lives. Since then, the center has constructed thousands of homes in over ten countries in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity.

The Carters were creating unforgettable moments together through activities such as tennis, downhill skiing, and bird-watching.

The dynamic duo, after leaving the presidency, returned to their hometown and bought a $167,000 home, which is significantly cheaper than the median home price in Georgia, according to Zillow's data.

"He stated that during moments of tranquility, such as birthdays, they prefer to remain at home alone and relish in a peaceful day within their own abode with minimal interruptions from visitors, phone calls, and emails."

In July 2023, the Carters marked their 77th wedding anniversary at their Georgia home, becoming the longest-married first couple.

In 2023, Jason Carter, the grandson of the deceased, stated that it was heartwarming to see the abundance of support, respect, and love shown towards their legacy.

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