Jimmy Carter became the oldest living former U.S. president ever on Friday, surpassing the late president George H.W. Bush who died in November.

Carter on Thursday tied Bush at 94 years and 171 days old. The 39th U.S. president was born October 1, 1924, making him 94 years and 172 days on Friday.

The Democrat from Georgia still works with the Carter Center, teaches Sunday school classes at Emory University, and helps with Habitat for Humanity builds one week a year, the Carter Center said.

"Both President and Mrs. Carter are determined to use their influence for as long as they can to make the world a better place. Their tireless resolve and heart have helped to improve life for millions of the world's poorest people," Deanna Congileo, a Carter Center spokesperson, said in a statement.

A few news outlets reported Thursday that Carter had broken Bush's record, prompting the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum to tweet a correction while honoring the former president and his longevity.

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In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with brain cancer and said he "prepared for death at that time."

“I thought I only had maybe two weeks to live,” he told USA TODAY in March 2018. “So I told goodbye to my family and to the Carter Center staff who work with me.”

Carter and his wife Rosalynn served in the White House from 1977 to 1981. While he had a tumultuous tenure, facing high inflation and a hostage crisis in Iran, humanitarian work has defined his legacy after serving in office.

In 2002, he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Among the other living former presidents, Bill Clinton is 72, George W. Bush is 72 and Barack Obama is 57. President Donald Trump is 72.

Contributing: Susan Page, USA TODAY. Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller