( NewsNation) — Former President Carter, who died Sunday at age 100, left behind a unique legacy of openness about UFO sightings, including his own encounter in 1969, and a message to potential alien civilizations that continue to travel through space.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away late last week, once revealed that he had seen a UFO in 1969, though he never provided extensive details about the experience. The former Democratic leader waited until 1973 to share specifics of what he described as a close encounter.

Former President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday. Here are 5 fun-facts and funny stories from his long and interesting life and career.

Former US president Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100, was noted for his candidness about his 1969 UFO sighting. Despite witnessing an unidentifiable flying object, Carter remained skeptical of extraterrestrial origins and dismissed conspiracy theories.