We find the exact value of the best possible constant C for the weak-type (1, 1) inequality for the one-dimensional centered Hardy-Littlewood maximal operator. We prove that C is the largest root of the quadratic equation 12C 2 − 22C + 5 = 0 thus obtaining C = . . . . This is the first time the best constant for one of the fundamental inequalities satisfied by a centered maximal operator is precisely evaluated.