The passing of President Jimmy Carter

We are saddened by the passing of President Jimmy Carter and offer our deepest condolences to the entire Carter family, which also lost former first lady Rosalynn Carter, his wife of 77 years, in November 2023 after a battle with dementia.

Few people in history led by example quite like President Carter, a native Georgian. He dedicated his life to public service and will be remembered as a force for good.

Cox Enterprises and the Cox family have had a special connection to the Carters for decades, dating back to President Carter's time as governor of Georgia. In 1974, following the death of Jim Cox Jr., the son of our founder Gov. James M. Cox, then-Gov. Carter was quoted as saying, “I deeply regret the death of a figure of great stature and influence in American journalism.” 

In 1977, President Carter appointed Anne Cox Chambers, Cox Enterprises Chairman and CEO Alex Taylor’s grandmother, to be ambassador to Belgium. Alex serves on the Carter Center Board of Councilors.

Throughout his life, President Carter championed volunteerism, democracy, inclusion, improved public health and many other values that we hold dear at Cox Enterprises. As we mourn the loss of a great man, we also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind — a legacy that will live on through his family and the millions of people whose lives he positively impacted. 

We will always look to the example President Carter set as someone who never stopped working to create a better future for the next generation. 

Below is a personal statement from Alex Taylor:  

“As a longtime friend of the Carters, my grandmother, Anne Cox Chambers, always spoke so highly of them and their dedication to helping people. President Carter should always be remembered as an example of how one life can positively influence and impact so many others. I’ve learned a lot about his work during my time on the Carter Center Board of Councilors. From his time in politics to fighting disease in Africa to his inspiring work building homes with Habitat for Humanity, the passion and dedication he has shown to our state, country and the world will never be forgotten. 

My condolences to the entire Carter family. We lost a very special person yesterday, but I know his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.”

For more, read "Remembering Jimmy Carter" from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.