Former President Jimmy Carter lives a simple life in a small Georgia town as he lives in the same $167,000 two-bedroom ranch house he built before his presidency and washes his own dishes after home-cooked meals.
The 94-year-old recently revealed about his simple life as he spoke to the Washington Post:
‘I don’t see anything wrong with it; I don’t blame other people for doing it. It just never had been my ambition to be rich.’ Carter told a reporter who he invited into his home earlier this month.
Carter returned to the 700-strong town of Plains, Georgia after his presidency instead of making money from corporate speaking and joining the boards of big companies.
He still lives in a two-bedroom ranch valued at $167,000 with his wife Rosalynn and teaches Sunday school at the Maranatha Baptist Church.
According to the Democratic President, his financial affairs were in tatters when he left the White House. After his presidency, he came back to a peanut business that was $1million in debt. He was forced to sell the peanut business and started writing to earn his income.
He has since written 33 books on a variety of subjects.
‘We feel at home here. And the folks in town, when we need it, they take care of us.’ Carter says.
The 39th President of the United States also commands a $210,700 annual pension which all former presidents receive.
Carter was President from 1977 to 1981. After his presidency, he returned to the town where he was born.
When he was asked whether he believes any future ex-President will live as simply as he does, Carter replied:
‘I hope so. But I don’t know.’