Jimmy Carter is 101. That's a staggering number, honestly. As the oldest living president in American history, he’s spent more time as a former commander-in-chief than many people spend in a career. But while the world watches the Plains, Georgia, home where he remains in hospice care, there’s a quiet, enduring curiosity about the family he and the late Rosalynn Carter raised. People often wonder how old are President Carter's children today, mostly because we still remember them as the youngsters or twenty-somethings roaming the White House halls in the late 1970s.
They weren't just political props. Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy were—and are—individuals with wildly different paths, ranging from grain trading and computer mapping to human rights activism. They are now all in their senior years, ranging from their late 50s to their late 70s. It's a surreal realization for those who remember Amy Carter as the little girl with the books at the state dinner table.
The Age Breakdown of the Carter Siblings
Time moves fast. It’s been decades since the 1976 election. If you're looking for the quick math on how old are President Carter's children, here is the reality as of early 2026.
The eldest, John William "Jack" Carter, was born in July 1947, making him 78 years old. Following him is James Earl "Chip" Carter III, born in April 1950, which puts him at 75. Then there is Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter, born in August 1952, currently 73. Finally, the "baby" of the family, Amy Lynn Carter, was born in October 1967. She is 58 years old.
It is a significant age gap. Amy is nearly twenty years younger than Jack. This gap defined their White House experiences; while the three boys were adults trying to find their footing in business and politics during their father's term, Amy was growing up under the intense, often harsh, national spotlight.
Jack Carter: The Eldest Son at 78
Jack has always seemed to carry a bit of that naval discipline his father was known for. After all, he served in the Navy himself during the Vietnam War before being famously discharged for his involvement with marijuana—an incident that Jimmy Carter, in his typical transparent fashion, didn't try to bury during his political rise.
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Jack is 78 now. He spent much of his life in the private sector, specifically in the investment and grain markets, but he didn't entirely escape the political itch. In 2006, he ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Nevada. He didn't win, but the campaign showed that the Carter brand of public service hadn't skipped a generation. He has two children, Jason and Sarah. Jason Carter has notably taken up the mantle of the Carter Center’s leadership, acting as the family’s primary spokesperson as his grandfather’s health declined.
Chip Carter: The Political Connector at 75
Chip, now 75, was perhaps the most politically active of the brothers during the White House years. He worked for the Democratic National Committee and was deeply involved in his father's campaigns. Life for Chip hasn't always been easy; he’s been open about his struggles, including a public battle with substance abuse and the complexities of three marriages.
He currently lives a quieter life, but for years, he was the son most likely to be found on the campaign trail or representing his father at international events. He has two children, James Earl Carter IV and Margaret Alicia Carter. His son, James IV, actually gained some modern fame for his role in uncovering the "47 percent" video during the 2012 presidential election, proving that the Carter knack for shifting political landscapes remains alive.
Jeff Carter: The Tech Trailblazer at 73
Jeff Carter is often the sibling people know the least about, which seems to be by design. At 73, he remains a relatively private figure. He co-founded Computer Mapping Consultants in 1978, a company that was quite ahead of its time in terms of geographic information systems (GIS).
Jeff’s life was struck by tragedy in recent years. His wife, Annette J. Carter, passed away in 2021. They had been married since 1975, a bond that mirrored the long-term devotion of his parents. Jeff has three sons: Joshua, Jeremy (who tragically passed away in 2015), and James.
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Amy Carter: Growing Up in the Fishbowl at 58
Amy is 58. It feels impossible to those who remember her as the nine-year-old moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with her Siamese cat, Misty Malarky Ying Yang.
Amy’s teen and young adult years were defined by activism. She was arrested several times in the 1980s for protesting apartheid in South Africa and CIA recruitment on college campuses. She wasn't just "the President's daughter"; she was a thorn in the side of the Reagan-era establishment.
Eventually, Amy stepped back. She married James Wentzel in 1996 (they later divorced) and has a son, Hugo. She has largely stayed out of the media for the last two decades, focusing on her family and her work as an illustrator—she even illustrated a children's book written by her father. Her desire for privacy is understandable given that her formative years were analyzed by every tabloid in the country.
Why the Carter Children’s Ages Matter Now
Knowing how old are President Carter's children isn't just about celebrity trivia. It provides context for the era they represent. This is a family that spans the post-WWII boom to the digital age. They are the living bridge to a presidency that focused on human rights, energy conservation, and Middle East peace—themes that are arguably more relevant in 2026 than they were in 1976.
As Jimmy Carter remains in hospice, his children have become his protectors. They manage the legacy of the Carter Center and the family’s modest holdings in Plains. They are seniors themselves, facing the reality of losing the patriarch who has been the center of their world for over seven decades.
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A Legacy of Normalcy
What’s wild about the Carter kids is how "normal" they ended up being. You don't see them on reality TV. You don't see them selling "Carter" branded merchandise for a quick buck. They’ve lived lives of quiet service, business, and art.
- Jack (78): Finance and veteran affairs.
- Chip (75): Political strategy and family advocacy.
- Jeff (73): Technology and data mapping.
- Amy (58): Art and activism.
The Impact of Longevity
The sheer longevity of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter (who passed in 2023 at 96) meant that their children got to know their parents as elderly peers. That’s a rare gift. Most presidential children lose their parents relatively young due to the stresses of the office or genetic factors. The Carters defied that.
Misconceptions About the Carter Family
One common mistake people make is assuming the Carters are incredibly wealthy like the Kennedys or the Bushes. They aren't. When Jimmy Carter left the White House in 1981, he was actually in significant debt due to the mismanagement of the family peanut warehouse by a trustee.
The children didn't grow up with a massive inheritance waiting for them. They had to work. This blue-collar-to-global-leader trajectory is what makes their current status so grounded. When you ask how old are President Carter's children, you’re looking at a group of people who have navigated the transition from the most powerful house in the world back to regular citizenship with remarkable grace.
Practical Insights and Next Steps
If you are following the Carter family legacy or looking to learn more about the impact of the 39th President, here is what you can do next:
- Visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: If you're near Plains, Georgia, this site offers the best look at the environment that shaped these four siblings.
- Support the Carter Center: Instead of just tracking their ages, look at the work they are currently overseeing, particularly the effort to eradicate Guinea worm disease.
- Read "A Full Life": This memoir by Jimmy Carter gives the best personal insight into his relationship with each of his children as they grew up in the public eye.
The Carter children have aged into the role of elder statesmen and women of their own family. At 78, 75, 73, and 58, they represent a very specific slice of American history—one defined by integrity, simplicity, and a stubborn refusal to go away quietly.