Billy Carter, born on March 29, 1937, in Plains, Georgia, was known as the younger brother of former United States President Jimmy Carter. Growing up in a humble family, Billy and his siblings Ruth and Gloria were raised by their parents, James and Lillian Carter, in the small town of Plains.
After briefly attending Emory University, Billy decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served his country with honor. Following his time in the military, he returned to Georgia to work in the family peanut growing business that his father had established.
Billy Carter's first foray into politics was in 1976 when he ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Plains, his hometown. Despite his loss, he remained involved in local politics and continued to support his older brother, who was then serving as the President of the United States.
However, Billy's political ambitions were overshadowed by a scandal that would later tarnish his reputation. In the late 1970s, he became embroiled in a controversy known as "Billygate," in which he was found to have acted as a foreign agent for the government of Libya.
In addition to his political endeavors, Billy Carter was a devoted family man. He married Sybil Spires, and the couple had six children together: Jana, Kim, William, Mandy, Earl, and Marle. Despite his public persona and involvement in politics, Billy's greatest joy was his family.
Tragically, the Carter family experienced great loss when both Ruth and Gloria passed away from pancreatic cancer in their fifties. Billy himself battled health issues in his later years, passing away in September 1988 at the age of 51.
Despite the controversies that surrounded his life, Billy Carter remains a complex figure in American history. He will always be remembered as the younger brother of a U.S. President, but his involvement in political scandals and colorful personality have left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
From his brief stint in the military to his unsuccessful political campaigns, Billy Carter's life was marked by ups and downs. Though he may not have achieved the same level of fame as his older brother, he made his mark on the world in his own unique way.