The Carter Legacy: Where Are Jimmy Carter's Four Children Today?
Decades after leaving the White House, the four children of former President Jimmy Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—remain deeply committed to their parents' enduring legacy of public service and humanitarian work. As of late 2025, the Carter children are navigating their own professional and personal lives, from continuing political engagement and business ventures to quietly managing personal health battles, all while serving as the primary torchbearers for The Carter Center’s global mission. Their lives offer a unique look into the private world of a former First Family, showing a continued dedication to the values instilled by their parents in Plains, Georgia.
The family has been in the public eye more recently following the passing of Rosalynn Carter and the subsequent public services for President Carter, events that highlighted the strength and unity of the entire Carter clan. This deep dive explores the current activities and focus of each of the four Carter children today, revealing how they are honoring a legacy built on humility, faith, and tireless global advocacy.
Jimmy Carter’s Children: A Complete Family Biography
Former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter raised four children: three sons and one daughter. Their lives spanned from a childhood in Plains, Georgia, to the intense scrutiny of the White House, and finally to a post-presidency dedicated to humanitarian causes. Here is a complete biographical profile of each of the Carter children.
- John William "Jack" Carter
- Born: July 3, 1947, in Portsmouth, Virginia.
- Eldest Child: The first of the four Carter children.
- Career Highlights: Jack Carter is a businessman, attorney, and environmentalist. He earned a degree in nuclear physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a law degree from the University of Georgia. He has been involved in politics, notably running for the U.S. Senate in Nevada in 2006.
- James Earl "Chip" Carter III
- Born: April 12, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Second Child: Raised in Plains, Georgia.
- Career Highlights: Chip Carter has been involved in politics and public service, working on his father's presidential campaign and later serving as a Democratic National Committee staffer. He is known for his public reflections on his parents' values and his continued support for The Carter Center.
- Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter
- Born: August 18, 1952, in New London, Connecticut.
- Youngest Son: An American business executive and computer consultant.
- Career Highlights: Jeff Carter has largely maintained a private life compared to his siblings, focusing on his career in computer consultation and business. His son, Josh Carter, has served as a spokesperson for the family in recent years, particularly regarding his grandparents' health.
- Amy Lynn Carter (now Amy Carter-Wentzel)
- Born: October 19, 1967, in Plains, Georgia.
- Youngest Child and Only Daughter: She spent her childhood in the White House from ages nine to thirteen.
- Career Highlights: Amy is an American activist and educator. She studied art history and has worked as a teacher. She gained attention for her political activism in the 1980s and 1990s. She is also a talented illustrator, co-authoring and illustrating the children's book *The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer* with her father in 2014.
The Carter Center Torchbearers: Continuing the Humanitarian Legacy
Today, the most significant common thread in the lives of Jimmy Carter’s children is their commitment to The Carter Center, the non-profit organization founded by their parents to advance peace and health worldwide. The children, along with their own children (the Carter grandchildren), have taken on increasingly visible and operational roles, ensuring the former President's work continues long after his passing.
Jack Carter’s Role in Public Discourse. Jack Carter, the eldest, has been a prominent voice for the family, especially during recent public services. His remarks often focus on the personal side of his father’s extraordinary life, grounding the presidential legacy in the simple, yet profound, values of Plains, Georgia. His background as an environmentalist and his past political endeavors highlight a continued interest in public policy and service, aligning with the broader mission of the Center.
Chip Carter’s Dedication to Family Values. Chip Carter has frequently appeared in media interviews to discuss the final days of his parents, offering poignant reflections on their enduring love and shared dedication to service. He emphasizes that the "big things" his parents taught him—humility, hard work, and faith—are the foundation of the Carter family's continuing engagement with the world. His active participation in public events and eulogies serves to bridge the past with the present, ensuring the narrative of service remains central to the Carter name.
The Next Generation’s Leadership. The transition of leadership is perhaps most evident in the role of the grandchildren. Jason Carter, Jack’s son, now serves as the chairman of The Carter Center's board of trustees. This appointment is a clear sign that the family is actively managing the transition of the organization, ensuring its vital work in democracy and disease eradication continues with the same rigor established by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. This focus on the "next generation" provides fresh topical authority to the Carter legacy.
Private Challenges and Public Advocacy: Jeff and Amy Carter’s Current Focus
While all the Carter children maintain a relatively private life compared to their White House years, recent updates have shed light on the personal challenges and quiet advocacy of the two youngest siblings, Jeff and Amy Carter. Their current lives reflect the family’s characteristic blend of personal resilience and commitment to their core beliefs.
Jeff Carter’s Quiet Battle with Parkinson’s Disease
In a recent and significant update, it was revealed that Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter, the youngest son, has been quietly living with Parkinson's Disease for some time. This news, shared by his son, Josh Carter, underscores the family’s private strength in facing health challenges. Jeff, a former business executive and computer consultant, has been managing the condition while living a low-profile life. The family’s decision to share this information highlights their honesty and transparency, even in the face of a challenging diagnosis. The focus remains on managing his health and continuing to live a fulfilling life, supported by his family.
Amy Carter: Educator, Illustrator, and Activist
Amy Lynn Carter, the only daughter, has forged a unique path as an educator and a political activist. Having spent her formative years in the White House, she later became a notable figure in activism, particularly concerning apartheid and foreign policy, while attending Brown University and Tulane University. Today, she is an established educator and lives in the Atlanta area with her husband, John Joseph “Jay” Kelly, and their sons.
A Creative Partnership with Her Father. Amy’s artistic talent was showcased in her collaboration with her father on the children's book *The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer*, where she provided the illustrations for his story. This creative partnership is a beautiful testament to the close bond between the former President and his youngest child.
A Symbol of Support. In a recent public gesture that drew attention, Amy Carter wore a pin with the rainbow LGBTQ+ Pride flag during her father’s lying-in-state ceremony. This simple act reinforced the family’s long-standing support for human rights and equality, demonstrating that the Carter legacy extends beyond presidential politics into modern social advocacy. Her life today is a powerful example of using a private platform for public good.
The Enduring Power of the Plains, Georgia Roots
The current lives of Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy Carter are inextricably linked to their upbringing in Plains, Georgia. This small-town, deeply religious, and service-oriented environment shaped their perspectives and continues to inform their work. The family’s ability to remain grounded, despite the global stature of their parents, is a hallmark of their character.
The Carter family’s commitment to humility is perhaps the most defining characteristic of the children’s lives today. Unlike many other children of former presidents, they have largely eschewed the typical celebrity and political circuit, choosing instead to focus on their private careers and the foundational work of The Carter Center. This quiet dedication is the true continuation of the legacy established by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: that true power lies not in position, but in service to others.
Through their individual careers, their shared commitment to The Carter Center, and their public reflections on their parents' lives, Jimmy Carter's children are ensuring that the humanitarian mission of the 39th President will resonate for generations to come. They are the living embodiment of the values of peace, health, and democracy that their parents championed on the global stage.
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