Jimmy Carter, oldest living former president, turns 97

Former President Jimmy Carter gives Carol Anderson a kiss on the cheek while thanking the hometown folks one at a time in a receiving line during his 90th birthday party they threw for him at Maxine Reese Park on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Plains. The former president will be 97 on Friday, Oct. 1.  CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Former President Jimmy Carter gives Carol Anderson a kiss on the cheek while thanking the hometown folks one at a time in a receiving line during his 90th birthday party they threw for him at Maxine Reese Park on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Plains. The former president will be 97 on Friday, Oct. 1. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

It is rarified air that Jimmy Carter has been in for a while now.

On Friday, when Carter turns 97, he further solidifies his standing as the oldest living president in the history of the United States. Born in Plains, Georgia in 1924, it is a record set by a peanut farmer and Nobel Peace Prize winner that might never get broken.

Former President Jimmy Carter (center), with four of the 10 oldest living presidents in American history at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Nov. 5, 1991, in Simi Valley, California. From left, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon. (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Credit: TNS

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Credit: TNS

He already has a 37-year advantage on Barack Obama, who turned 60 this year.

It’s not Carter’s only claim to longevity. In July, he and wife Rosalynn celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. They are the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history, followed by former president George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, who were married for 73 years and 102 days until Barbara’s 2018 death.

The Carters are planning a private birthday celebration for Jimmy at their Plains home on Friday.

Here is a look at some of the other presidents who enjoyed long lives:

2. George H.W. Bush: 41st President: 94 years, 171 days.

George H.W. Bush (AP)

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3. Gerald R. Ford: 38th President: 93 years, 165 days.

President Gerald Ford signs a document granting former President Richard M. Nixon "a full, free and absolute pardon" for all "offenses against the United States" during the period of his presidency in this Sept. 8, 1974 file photo in his White House office.    (AP Photo/File)

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4. Ronald Reagan: 40th President: 93 years, 120 days.

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), seen here in 1996, lived to be 93 years, 120 days. (Eric Draper/AP file)

Credit: ERIC DRAPER

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Credit: ERIC DRAPER

5. John Adams: 2nd President: 90 years, 247 days.

John Adams (1735-1826), in this circa 1800 portrait, lived to be 90 years, 247 days. (Library of Congress)

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6. Herbert Hoover: 31st President: 90 years, 71 days.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964), seen here in 1928, lived to be 90 years, 71 days. (Library of Congress)

Credit: Library of Congress

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Credit: Library of Congress

7. Harry S. Truman: 33rd President: 88 years, 232 days.

Thomas Dewey narrowly lost to Harry S. Truman in 1948 after eking out the nomination over Ohio Sen. Robert Taft in the last brokered Republican convention. The famous Chicago Tribune headline declaring Dewey the winner is an unforgettable image from that election year.

Credit: HANDOUT

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Credit: HANDOUT

8. James Madison: 4th President: 85 years, 104 days.

America's 4th president lived 85 years, 104 days. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Credit: Library of Congress

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Credit: Library of Congress

9. Thomas Jefferson: 3rd President: 83 years, 82 days.

Thomas Jefferson, the nation's third president and author of the Declaration of Independence.

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

10. Richard M. Nixon: 37th President: 81 years, 103 days.

Presidential candidate Richard Nixon during a campaign stop, October 1968.

Credit: Floyd Jillson/AJC

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Credit: Floyd Jillson/AJC

Source: potus.com