The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award to former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
The CEO of the Carter Center, Paige Alexander, accepted the honor on the couple’s behalf at a ceremony on September 19 in New York City.
In its award, the foundation recognized the Carters for their work, leading to the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease, their work for peace and democracy, and their trailblazing leadership.
“Their lifelong commitment to serving others is impossible to sum up,” said Melinda Gates.
When the Carters took on the cause of eradicating Guinea worm disease in 1986, 3.5 million people in 21 countries suffered from the disease, Alexander said. in 2022, there were 13 cases reported worldwide.
“Their fervent wish is that the causes that they believe in will find even more champions to ensure health, mental health, human rights, and peace for people everywhere,” said Alexander in accepting the award.
The former First Couple’s health prevented them from traveling to New York to accept the award in person. Rosalynn Carter, who turned 96 on August 18, has dementia. Jimmy Carter remains in hospice care.
Carter is the nation’s oldest living president. He will turn 99 on October 1. The Carter Center in Atlanta has planned a number of public festivities to mark the occasion.
GPB News contributed to this article
