Jimmy Carter turned 99 years old on October 1, 2023, with people from around the world paying tribute to the longest-living former president. Carter has been in hospice for the past 7 months, and as he nears the end of his long life, people are sharing their personal stories involving the man known for his decades of humanitarian, peace-building work after leaving the White House.
One story comes from Noel Casler, a comedian and talent handler who has worked with many celebrities and public figures. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to share an encounter he witnessed between Jimmy Carter and a young girl at the Goodwill Games.
“When I was Prez Carter’s talent handler it was the Goodwill Games in NYC. When Carter arrived I was to take him to [the] stage to join Ted Turner, Gov Pataki, Gerald Levin & Giuliani to kick off the event,” he began.
On their way to the stage, Casler shared, a young girl who was a standout inner-city school student in around the second grade approached President Carter to say hello.
When I was Prez Carteru2019s talent handler it was the Goodwill Games in NYC. When Carter arrived I was to take him to stage to join Ted Turner, Gov Pataki, Gerald Levin & Giuliani to kick off the event. On our way to the stage a young school child approached Carter to say hello..— NoelCaslerComedyud83cudf19 (@NoelCaslerComedyud83cudf19)
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“You would have thought the world stopped for Jimmy Carter,” Casler wrote. “He knelt down to look her in the eyes and began a long series of questions about the subjects she was studying, what her favorites were.” When she said math and science were her among her favorites, Carter “lit up.”
But what showcases Carter’s caring personality is the way he treated her.
“He smiled and acted as if she was the only person there,” Casler explained. “The thing is he didn’t talk to her like she was a kid. There wasn’t condescension of any air of I’m an ex-Prez wan a pic to show off.”
What her favorites were, I think he lit up when she said math & science. He smiled and acted as if she was the only person there, the thing is he didnu2019t talk to her like she was a kid. There wasnu2019t condescension or any of air of Iu2019m an ex-Prez want a pic to show off..It was oneu2026— NoelCaslerComedyud83cudf19 (@NoelCaslerComedyud83cudf19)
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“It was one man talking to the future generations and coming from a place of deep empathy, compassion and care for how we leave this planet and the lives of those upon it. Faith in action.”
Casler wrote that he got nervous when they started calling for Carter to head to the stage, but the former president was “chill.”
People frequently cite Carter’s humility and compassion for others as highlights of his post-presidency legacy, and this interaction showcases those qualities beautifully.
Casler also expounded on Carter’s ability to talk to anyone with ease.
“I’ve seen him on other occasions speak with full authority on the magic of Chuck Leavell’s left hand & hanging with the Allman Brothers. Carter is a renaissance man if ever there was one but his greatest gift is the example of how he lives in life,” he wrote. “Happy 99th President Carter.”
Iu2019ve seen him on other occasions speak with full authority on the magic of Chuck Leavellu2019s left hand & hanging with the Allman Brothers. Carter is a renaissance man if ever there was one but his greatest gift is the example of how he lives in life. Happy 99th President Carterud83dude4f— NoelCaslerComedyud83cudf19 (@NoelCaslerComedyud83cudf19)
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People loved reading this simple, personal story about a man who will leave the world with many such examples of his care and attention to whoever was in front of him.
“This is such a wonderful thread about a very special, compassionate man,” wrote Nancy Sinatra. “Thank you, Noel. Thank you.”
“Exactly who Jimmy Carter is,” shared Jody Dean. “Once interviewed him and Ernie Banks on the same day. President Carter sat before Banks in our green room, listening to Ernie in rapt attention. An 8-year-old with a signed Ernie Banks baseball card could not have beamed more brightly.”
“Jimmy Carter is the best human being to ever be president and it was honestly mean of us to make him do that,” wrote Hunter Felt.
“Thank you, Noel, for this heartrending tribute. Carter is a jewel and remembering him always lifts my sagging spirits.” shared Marina Margetts.
Happy 99th, Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. president whose legacy of human kindness and compassion will endure long after he leaves us.