Jimmy Carter’s Children: Where Are The Four Carter Kids Now? (Updated 2025)

Contents

Few presidential families have captured the American imagination and maintained a legacy of public service quite like the Carters. As of late 2025, the family of former President Jimmy Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter remains deeply rooted in their humanitarian work, even as the former President continues his remarkable longevity under hospice care. Following Rosalynn Carter’s passing in late 2023, the world’s attention turned to the four Carter children—three sons and one daughter—who have stepped up to continue their parents' mission and manage the family's public presence.

The four children—John William "Jack," James Earl III "Chip," Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff," and Amy Lynn—have all forged distinct paths, from law and politics to non-profit work and education. Their current lives are a testament to the values instilled by their parents in Plains, Georgia, focusing on quiet service, environmentalism, and a commitment to human rights through the Carter Center. This article provides a deep dive into the lives of the Carter children, their recent activities, and how they are preserving one of America’s most enduring political legacies. The family now totals 29 descendants, including 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, all of whom are part of this continuing story.

The Complete Biography and Current Status of Jimmy Carter's Children

The four children of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter spent their formative years in Georgia before the whirlwind of the White House. Their biographies reflect a blend of political involvement, private enterprise, and dedication to social causes.

  • John William "Jack" Carter
    • Born: July 3, 1947 (78 years old)
    • Spouse: Elizabeth Brasfield
    • Career: Attorney, businessman, politician, and environmentalist. He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southwestern College, and the University of Georgia School of Law.
    • Notable: Ran for the U.S. Senate in Nevada in 2006. His son, Jason Carter, has continued the family's political tradition, serving as a Georgia State Senator and running for Governor of Georgia.
  • James Earl "Chip" Carter III
    • Born: April 12, 1950 (75 years old)
    • Spouse: Becky Payne (current)
    • Career: Political consultant, public servant, and non-profit advocate. He worked for the Democratic National Committee and was a key figure in his father's 1976 presidential campaign.
    • Notable: Deeply involved in the Carter Center and the Habitat for Humanity International's "Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project," often serving as a public face for these humanitarian efforts.
  • Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter
    • Born: August 18, 1952 (73 years old)
    • Spouse: Annette Davis
    • Career: Computer mapping specialist and business executive. He studied geography and co-founded Computer Mapping Consultants, a company specializing in computer-mapping technology.
    • Notable: The quietest of the brothers, he recently made news with the public disclosure of his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, highlighting the family's openness about health challenges.
  • Amy Lynn Carter
    • Born: October 19, 1967 (58 years old)
    • Spouse: James Gregory Wentzel
    • Career: Author, activist, and social worker. She is the only daughter and was the youngest resident of the White House since John F. Kennedy Jr.
    • Notable: Known for her quiet life of activism and art education. She earned a Master's degree in art history from Tulane University and has worked as an art teacher.

Amy Carter’s Emotional Role in Preserving Her Parents’ Love Story

The death of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in November 2023 was a profoundly public and private moment for the Carter family. It was Amy Carter, the youngest child, who provided one of the most poignant moments of the memorial service.

During the funeral service in Atlanta, Amy Lynn Carter delivered a moving tribute to her mother and her parents’ legendary 77-year marriage. In a moment that captured global attention, she tearfully read a love letter that her father, Jimmy Carter, had written to Rosalynn 75 years earlier.

The letter, dated 1948, spoke of the deep, enduring partnership between the two. Amy’s reading served as a powerful, intimate glimpse into the foundation of the Carter family, highlighting that the couple’s bond was the "defining feature" of her mother's life. This act cemented Amy’s role as a torchbearer of her parents' personal legacy, moving beyond her own history as the famous "First Daughter" who roller-skated through the White House halls. Her continued work in education and social causes aligns with the family’s long-standing commitment to service, a principle she now helps to uphold in the wake of her mother's passing.

The Sons: Chip and Jack Carter’s Commitment to Public Service and The Carter Center

While Amy focused on the personal tribute, her older brothers, Chip and Jack, have taken on significant roles in maintaining the public face of the Carter legacy, particularly through The Carter Center and other non-profit work. The Carter Center, founded in 1982, is the enduring monument to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s post-presidency, focusing on peace, health, and human rights globally.

Chip Carter’s Habitat for Humanity Work: James Earl "Chip" Carter III has been instrumental in advocating for the family’s signature cause: building homes for the needy. He has been a consistent and visible presence at the Habitat for Humanity International’s annual work projects, which his parents championed for decades. Chip often speaks about his father’s vision for improving the lives of the poor and marginalized, ensuring that this humanitarian focus remains a central theme of the Carter family’s current activities. His involvement demonstrates a direct, hands-on commitment to his parents’ enduring belief in service.

Jack Carter’s Political and Legal Path: John William "Jack" Carter, the eldest son, has had the most direct political career among the siblings, though his focus has often been on business and law. While his own bid for the U.S. Senate in Nevada was unsuccessful, his son, Jason Carter, has become a prominent figure in Georgia politics. This generational continuation of political engagement ensures the Carter name remains relevant in the state where the family’s story began. Jack’s career reflects a commitment to the public sphere, albeit one often pursued outside the immediate media spotlight that follows the Plains, Georgia, home.

Jeff Carter’s Private Battle and Family Unity

Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter has historically maintained the lowest public profile of the four children, preferring a career in computer mapping and business. However, a very recent and personal detail about his life has brought him into the public eye: his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.

The family’s decision to share this news, particularly around the time of his father’s 100th birthday and the ongoing focus on the former President's health, underscores their unified approach to transparency and mutual support. Jeff’s quiet strength in managing a chronic illness is a powerful, if subtle, continuation of the family's legacy of resilience. This disclosure provides a new, deeply human layer to the Carter family narrative, reminding the public that even America's most famous families face personal health struggles.

The Carter Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: The family’s commitment to unity extends to the next generations. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had a massive family, which now includes 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, totaling 29 descendants. They famously held annual family reunions in Plains, Georgia, to keep the large and geographically dispersed family connected. This focus on family cohesion is perhaps the most personal and enduring legacy the Carter children are actively maintaining today, ensuring that the values of service, humility, and love continue for generations to come.

Jimmy Carter’s Children: Where Are The Four Carter Kids Now? (Updated 2025)
jimmy carters children
jimmy carters children

Detail Author:

  • Name : Prof. Lorine Hessel
  • Username : vcartwright
  • Email : lharvey@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1981-02-27
  • Address : 5830 Lehner Harbor Apt. 271 North Friedrichview, VA 26616-2156
  • Phone : 1-279-232-6271
  • Company : Towne, Grant and Hane
  • Job : Typesetting Machine Operator
  • Bio : Qui molestiae explicabo atque natus totam voluptatem. Aut quidem velit eaque dolorem. Et quas voluptas ipsum sed laborum aliquid aut. Sed dolores possimus eum odit quibusdam sint.

Socials

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/ewald_real
  • username : ewald_real
  • bio : Eaque sed rerum consequatur est. Natus est quaerat velit ipsam accusamus. Odit dolor temporibus adipisci suscipit nihil est blanditiis.
  • followers : 1539
  • following : 139

facebook:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/ewald8478
  • username : ewald8478
  • bio : Possimus ut esse nesciunt consequatur repellendus et omnis. Officiis quae amet accusantium cum.
  • followers : 2029
  • following : 1009

tiktok: