When you think about the family of Jimmy Carter, you probably picture peanuts. Maybe you think of a quiet, humble existence in a tiny Georgia town with a population that barely breaks 700. Honestly, that’s part of it. But if you think this is just a story about a retired politician and his late wife, you’ve missed the real drama and the surprising complexity of a family that has quietly shaped American life for nearly a century.
Jimmy Carter turned 100 on October 1, 2024. He didn't just reach a milestone; he shattered the record for presidential longevity. As of early 2026, he remains in home hospice in Plains, Georgia—defying every medical expectation. Since his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, passed away in November 2023, the family has become the primary stewards of a legacy that is much weirder, tougher, and more expansive than the "Sunday School teacher" image suggests.
The Four Children: Life After the White House
The Carter kids didn't follow the typical "nepo baby" path to corporate boards or cable news hosting gigs. They’ve had their share of ups, downs, and very public divorces.
Jack Carter, the eldest, is now in his late 70s. He’s the one who tried to jump into the family business of politics in a big way, running for the U.S. Senate in Nevada back in 2006. He lost, but he’s lived a full life as a businessman and a veteran. He’s currently married to his second wife, Elizabeth Brasfield.
✨ Don't miss: Melania Trump Wedding Photos: What Most People Get Wrong
Then there's James Earl "Chip" Carter III. Chip was always the most politically active son, working for the DNC and even living in the White House with his first wife, Caron. These days, he lives a quieter life in Georgia with his third wife, Becky Payne.
Jeff Carter, the third son, is a bit of a tech pioneer in a way people forget. He co-founded a computer mapping company in the 70s that was lightyears ahead of its time. Sadly, Jeff has been dealing with Parkinson's disease, a detail his son Joshua shared recently. He lost his wife, Annette, in 2021.
And then, of course, there’s Amy Carter.
The world remembers her as the little girl with the glasses roller-skating through the White House. Today, she’s a private citizen who basically refuses to talk to the press. She’s an artist, an activist who got arrested at protests in the 80s, and a mom. She lives in the Atlanta area and has managed to do the impossible: stay out of the spotlight despite being the daughter of a global icon.
🔗 Read more: Erika Kirk Married Before: What Really Happened With the Rumors
The Grandkids Carrying the Torch
If you want to know where the Carter influence is actually felt today, look at the grandchildren. It’s not just a name; they are actually doing the work.
- Jason Carter: A former Georgia State Senator and the current Chairman of the Board at The Carter Center. He’s basically the family’s public face now.
- James Carter IV: He’s the "opposition researcher" who famously found the "47 percent" video that arguably tanked Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign.
- Hugo James Wentzel: Amy’s son, who briefly popped up on the reality show Claim to Fame in 2023, giving us a rare, humanizing look at what it’s like to be "Grandpa Jimmy's" grandson.
The Secret Connection to a Music Legend
Here is a bit of trivia that kills at dinner parties: the Carters are related to Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown.
Seriously. Jeff Carter did the genealogical deep dive and found that the Carter and Gordy families share a common ancestor. When Jeff told his dad, Jimmy just shrugged and said, "Yeah, we knew about that." It wasn't some hidden scandal; it was just Southern history—messy, interconnected, and full of surprises.
💡 You might also like: Bobbie Gentry Today Photo: Why You Won't Find One (And Why That Matters)
Defying the Odds in Plains
Since February 2023, the family of Jimmy Carter has been in a state of extended goodbye. Hospice is usually a matter of days or weeks. Jimmy has been in it for years.
Grandson Jason Carter recently mentioned that his grandfather is "physically diminished" but still "experiencing the world." He’s still eating peanut butter ice cream. He’s still watching the news. He even made it a personal goal to live long enough to vote in the 2024 election.
What You Can Learn from the Carter Family
The Carters don't do "glamour." They do "grit." Their family history isn't a straight line of successes; it’s a series of restarts.
- Transparency matters: By being public about hospice and dementia, they’ve changed how millions of Americans talk about end-of-life care.
- Legacy isn't just a trust fund: It’s work. Whether it’s Habitat for Humanity or monitoring elections, the family stays involved in the "unsexy" parts of service.
- Privacy is a choice: Amy Carter proves you don't have to be a public figure just because your dad was. You can choose a quiet life.
If you’re looking to support the causes this family has spent decades building, the best way is to look into the Carter Center’s ongoing work in mental health and disease eradication. They are currently focused on the final push to eliminate Guinea worm disease, a goal Jimmy desperately wants to see accomplished in his lifetime. You can also visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains to see the modest surroundings that shaped this entire American dynasty.