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About This Quiz
James Earl Carter Jr. began serving as president in 1977, but his legacy has far outlasted his time in office. From his tenure at a university to the library of books he has authored, there's a lot more to the man than simply being an ex-president. Throughout this quiz, you'll get the chance to tell us all you know about him. Will you get all of the questions right, though?Â
Alongside his wife Rosalynn, Jimmy Carter prefers to live a simple life. He buys his clothes at discount stores, makes his own yogurt and spends much of his spare time building homes for the needy through Habitat for Humanity. A man of honor, Carter swore to be like his presidential idol, Harry S. Truman, and he's never sought to make a profit from serving the nation. In fact, he once sold a governmental vehicle because he thought it was too excessive.Â
He's hailed by some as the greatest president the United States has ever seen. He's certainly one of the most relatable and fascinating! As you go through the questions about him, you'll expand your presidential knowledge even more. You'll also walk away with a smile and a new-found admiration for him. Give it your best shot, and see how many facts about the 39th president you know. How well will you do?Â
Georgia
On October 1, 1924, Jimmy Carter was born at the same Plains, Georgia, medical center where his mother worked as a nurse. He was the first U.S. president in history to be born in a hospital.
Mississippi
Oregon
Iowa
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Army
Marines
Air Force
Navy
After earning a bachelor of science degree, Jimmy Carter enlisted in the Navy as a commissioned officer and served for seven years. He was the fifth president in a row to be a member of the branch.
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Three
Two
Four
Married since 1946, Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter are the parents of four children, although only Amy lived with them in the White House. Now in their 90s, the Carters enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
One
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Carl
Earl
James Earl Carter Sr. and Bessie Lillian Gordy Carter decided to keep the name in the family when Jimmy Carter was born. Known to the world as Jimmy Carter, President Carter's full name is James Earl Carter Jr.
David
Abraham
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American Heart Association
Susan G. Komen Foundation
Planned Parenthood
Habitat for Humanity
Jimmy Carter is one of the most humble presidents to have served the United States, and his humanitarian work continues today. Over the years, it has not been uncommon to see both him and his wife Rosalynn building homes for Habitat for Humanity.
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Republican
Democratic
Jimmy Carter has always been known as a progressive politician. During his 1976 run for the White House, he maintained the same party affiliation as he did when he served as governor — Democrat.
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1980
1975
1971
1977
With 297 electoral votes, Jimmy Carter was elected by the American people on November 2, 1976. He did not officially take office until after the presidential inauguration on January 20, 1977.
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Professor
United States Secretary of State
Governor of Georgia
Even as a gubernatorial candidate, Jimmy Carter was known for his liberal beliefs. He became the 76th governor of Georgia in 1971 and served right up until the time that he ran for the presidential office.
Navy Admiral
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Richard Nixon
George Washington
Harry S. Truman
Over and over again, President Carter has spoken of his admiration for the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman. Carter tells interviewers that he has great admiration for Truman because he never attempted to profit from the presidency.
Theodore Roosevelt
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Basketball
Many United States presidents have been the athletic type, but few of them were as active as Jimmy Carter was in high school. During his adolescent years, he played basketball, football and tennis.
Bowling
Soccer
Hockey
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A piece of candy
A pair of shoes
A pie
A penny
President Carter attributes his sense of honesty to the time he stole a penny from the church offering plate during his childhood. Carter says his father swiftly punished him, and he vowed never to steal anything again.
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Women's Day
Cosmopolitan
Playboy
In an effort to upset the reelection of Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter's campaign team turned to the aid of media. During a 1976 interview with Playboy, Carter admitted that he had committed lust in his mind. Perhaps, his honesty earned a little trust with voters.
Hustler
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White Citizens' Council
When the White Citizens' Council came knocking at Jimmy Carter's door, the future humanitarian president turned them and their white nationalist philosophies away. He was then harassed with violent threats, but he didn't let that sway him. In fact, it motivated him to run for the Georgia senate.
Citizens' Agricultural Council
The Georgia Citizens' Ensemble
Citizens for Climate Change
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True
It's true! Prior to becoming involved in politics, Jimmy Carter swears that he saw a UFO about thirty miles from his home. He vowed to release all the government's extra-terrestrial records while he was in office, but enthusiasts are still waiting.
False
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Air Force One
Presidential limo
Presidential yacht
With his hero Harry S. Truman in mind, Jimmy Carter wanted to show the country that he was not in office to make a profit. In fact, one of the first things he did was sell the presidential yacht. He said that it was too excessive.
Camp David's golf carts
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Corn
Peanuts
The Jimmy Carter boyhood farm has been in the Carter family since 1928. Now a historic visitation center, the farm can be toured. Although it no longer produces peanuts, they were the farm's main crop when Carter was growing up.
Oats
Tomatoes
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2002
Out of all the presidents who have received the Nobel Peace Prize, Jimmy Carter had to wait the longest. In 2002, he was honored for his efforts to broker international peace and for his humanitarian efforts.
1982
1994
1978
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Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan
Unfortunately, Jimmy Carter did not win his bid for reelection in 1980. With the Iran Hostage Crisis looming over him, he was considered a little too controversial for some. He lost the race to Ronald Reagan.
Barack Obama
Richard Nixon
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Habitat for Humanity
Heifer International
Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Carter Center
Two years after leaving office in 1980, President Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded a not-for-profit charity named the Carter Center. The Carter Center operates in more than 80 countries.
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Walmart
Kmart
Dollar General
When a Dollar General opened in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter attended the ceremony. He is frequently seen there, purchasing his clothing and other household goods.
Big Lots
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"Why Not the Best?"
"White House Diary"
"An Hour Before Daylight"
"Life in Georgia"
Since leaving office, President Carter has authored over 30 books. He's never written a book called "Life in Georgia," though. Never using his prestigious former title for profit, he lives on the profits from the book and the stipend he receives from serving as commander in chief.
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Japan
Panama
Known for his presidential negotiation skills and his humanitarian leanings, President Carter stepped into a sticky situation in Panama. He managed to broker two deals with the country before he passed the reins to President Reagan.
Iraq
Mexico
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Harvard University
Yale University
Emory University
Along with starting the Carter Center in 1982, Jimmy Carter became a member of the staff at Emory University. He taught there for 37 years before finally receiving tenure in 2019.
The University of Georgia
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78
82
95
When he blew out the candles on his 2019 birthday cake, President Carter turned 95. He holds the record as being the oldest former President of the United States, and he is extending that record daily. The next longest-lived is George H.W. Bush, who passed away at the age of 94 years, 171 days.
91
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Tonsillectomy
Appendectomy
Knee replacement surgery
Brain surgery
When President Carter was diagnosed with cancer, he flew through the treatments and into complete remission. A 2019 surgery to remove a subdural hematoma from his brain had everyone waiting on pins and needles, but he enjoyed a full recovery.
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$167,000
Former presidents like Clinton and Obama live in large, opulent homes that cost millions — not President Carter. The current Carter home in Plains, Georgia, is one he built himself in 1961, and it is valued at $167,000.
$2.4 million
$983,000
$6.3 million
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$1.1 million per year
$543,000 per year
$210,700 per year
Former presidents are paid an annual stipend of $210,700 per year, and it's only a drop in the bucket for many. Carter prefers to live modestly and takes in most of his income from the sale of his books.
$376,000 per year
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Coaching a local team
Teaching Sunday school
Frequently on Sunday — but not every week — the former president teaches Sunday school at the Plains, Georgia, Maranatha Baptist Church. If you want to attend, you will have to get there early. No advance reservations are allowed, and a line forms around the block.
Tending to crops
Volunteering at a soup kitchen
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Anemia
Dementia
Cancer
In 2015, President Jimmy Carter was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma that spread to his liver and his brain. After receiving immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation, he announced that he was cancer-free in 2016.
Fibromyalgia
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1.2 million
24,000
132,000
70,000
It's often been said that the whole town of Plains, Georgia, is a tribute to its favorite former president. Every year, more than 70,000 guests contribute $4 million in revenue by visiting his birthplace.
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Yogurt
Ever the humble couple, the Carters refuse to buy yogurt at the supermarket — they make it themselves! They are not big spenders with a vast wine cellar, either. They prefer to bring home the budget wine and enjoy it with their neighbors.
Bread
Wine
Meatloaf
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A bronze bust
A smiling peanut
Right in the middle of Plains, Georgia, there's a big statue that pays tribute to the former president. A giant peanut with Jimmy Carter's iconic smile greets visitors as they head to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.
A large medal
An oversized hammer
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The "nice guy" speech
The "malaise" speech
Following Carter's "crisis of confidence" speech, many opposing lawmakers dubbed it the "malaise" speech because of his laid back stance on the Iran Hostage Crisis. Contrary to popular opinion, he never uttered the word "malaise" during this speech on July 15, 1979.
President Peanut speech
President Farmer speech
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Walter Mondale
Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale was always President Carter's choice for a running mate. The former diplomat proudly served as vice president from 1977 to 1981, before the pair lost to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
George W. Bush
Joe Biden
Mike Pence
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Panamanian Crisis
Iran Hostage Crisis
Right during election time, President Carter had more on his plate than campaigning for votes. His standoff with Iranian officials caused 52 Americans to be held hostage for 444 days. Many claim that this situation cost him the bid for reelection.
Iraq Crisis
Canadian Citizens' Crisis
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