Growing up as a "First Son" isn't exactly the normal American experience. For the three boys of the late Jimmy Carter—the 39th U.S. President who recently passed away at the age of 100—life has been a long, quiet journey away from the blinding glare of the White House.
Honestly, most people only remember Amy, the young girl who lived in the executive mansion. But the boys? They were already mostly grown when their dad took office in 1977.
Today, they are navigating their own senior years. Since it’s now 2026, let's look at where the three sons stand, their health struggles, and how they’ve handled the massive legacy left behind by Jimmy and Rosalynn.
Jimmy Carter Sons Ages and Where They Are Today
If you’re looking for the quick numbers on Jimmy Carter sons ages, here is the breakdown as of 2026.
The eldest, John William "Jack" Carter, is 78 years old. He was born on July 3, 1947. Next in line is James Earl "Chip" Carter III, who turned 76 on April 12. Finally, there is Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter, the youngest son, who is currently 73 (born August 18, 1952).
They aren't just names in a history book. They are men who lived through the Vietnam era, saw their father go from a peanut farmer to the most powerful man on Earth, and then watched him spend four decades as a humanitarian icon.
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Jack Carter: The Eldest Son (78)
Jack was always the one who seemed most likely to follow the political path. He’s lived a full life. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War—actually, he was famously discharged for smoking marijuana, a detail that was quite a scandal back in the day.
He didn't let that stop him. He got a law degree and even ran for the U.S. Senate in Nevada back in 2006. He didn't win, but he kept the Carter name in the political conversation. These days, Jack is largely retired, watching his own son, Jason Carter, carry the torch as the Chairman of the Carter Center.
Chip Carter: The Namesake (76)
James Earl "Chip" Carter III has always been the one most deeply involved in the family business and the political ground game. He was the one who physically lived in the White House more than his brothers.
Chip famously worked for the Democratic National Committee and was a constant presence during his father’s campaigns. He’s been married three times and has mostly stayed in Georgia, keeping a lower profile in recent years. At 76, he’s seen the family through the deaths of both his mother in 2023 and his father in late 2024.
Jeff Carter: The Tech Pioneer (73)
Jeff is often the most overlooked. He was a geography major and actually co-founded a company called Computer Mapping Consultants back in the 70s. Basically, he was into tech before tech was cool.
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However, Jeff has had a rougher road lately. His wife, Annette, passed away in 2021. Even more difficult, it was revealed recently that Jeff has been battling Parkinson’s Disease. It’s a tough diagnosis, but his son Josh has mentioned that Jeff uses deep brain stimulation (DBS) to manage it. Technology, it seems, is still a big part of his life—he can reportedly adjust his brain's electrodes using his phone.
The Legacy Beyond the Numbers
Knowing Jimmy Carter sons ages tells you how long they’ve been around, but it doesn't tell you the weight they carry.
When Jimmy Carter died in December 2024, it marked the end of an era. The sons were there for the massive state funeral, standing alongside their sister Amy. You could see the toll of the years on them. They aren't the young men who stood on the inauguration platform anymore. They are grandfathers and great-grandfathers.
- Jack is the elder statesman of the siblings.
- Chip remains the emotional bridge to the Georgia roots.
- Jeff represents the family's resilience in the face of health struggles.
It is worth noting that while the sons have stayed out of the spotlight, their children haven't. Jason Carter, Jack’s son, is arguably the most famous Carter today, keeping the Carter Center’s mission of global peace and health alive.
Health and the Future of the Carter Lineage
With Jeff’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and the advanced ages of Jack and Chip, the family’s health is a frequent topic for those following the former First Family.
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Parkinson's is a brutal disease, but the Carters have always been open about their struggles. From Rosalynn’s dementia to Jimmy’s legendary stint in hospice care, they’ve shown Americans how to handle aging with a certain level of dignity. Jeff’s battle is just the latest chapter in that.
The sons are now the "older generation." It's a weird transition. For decades, they were the children of a man who seemed like he would live forever. Now, at 78, 76, and 73, they are the ones holding the family together in Plains and beyond.
What’s Next for the Carter Sons?
Don't expect them to start popping up on cable news or writing "tell-all" books. That’s just not how they were raised. You’ll likely see them:
- Participating in annual Carter Center events in Atlanta.
- Maintaining the family home and legacy in Plains, Georgia.
- Supporting the next generation of Carters in their philanthropic work.
If you’re interested in supporting the work these men helped their father build, you can look into the Carter Center's ongoing programs. They are still working to eradicate Guinea worm disease and monitor elections globally. Supporting those causes is probably the best way to honor the family.
You can also visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains. It’s a great way to see where these three boys grew up before the world knew their names.