Jimmy Carter Doesn't Care about Getting Old & Infirm Because He Has His Clan of 43 Offspring & Deaco

June 2024 · 7 minute read

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn | Their extended family | Source: Facebook/Jimmy Carter Presidential Library | Facebook/Jill Stuckey | Getty Images

Jimmy Carter, who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, is celebrating a milestone today. The former politician is celebrating his birthday after turning 98 years.

As a former president and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Jimmy has known more success than most in his career and personal life. Besides a thriving presidency, he has been married to his wife Rosa for the past 75 years and is a doting father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Together, the Carters have redefined the role of the former first family through their sprawling volunteer work building homes. Still, they have nailed the secret to a happy marriage.

Former US President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the Democratic National Convention, at the Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, California, July 18, 1988. | Source: Getty Images

Their decades-long love story began years ago when the then U.S. Naval Academy midshipman was introduced to Rosalynn by his younger sister.

He came home from the Academy and was looking for a date. His sister introduced him to Rosalynn, who was already crushing on him. He fell in love with her in 1945 and married her the following summer. Seven and a half decades later, the couple is still together.

The two shared their secret to a long, happy marriage, revealing that they never sleep angry at each other. Jimmy says marrying Rosalyn is the best decision he has ever made.

Former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter walks with his wife, former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter on Saturday August 04, 2018 in Plains, Georgia | Source: Getty Images

They have maintained a close bond throughout the years by finding mutual activities to do together, such as skiing, bird watching, and fly fishing. Even after so long, the lovebirds bond over their religious belief, and the former president still refers to his deacon wife as "sweetheart" and "beautiful."

The Former President Is Not Worried about Aging

Following the end of his tenure in office, Jimmy and his wife spend the post-presidency doing numerous charity works for which they are famous. They have taken on public health and human rights projects and dedicated their lives to helping the less privileged.

He has monitored elections in Libya and Egypt, mediated conflicts in Congo and Sudan, and spent a week every year building homes with Habitat for Humanity for the homeless in Haiti.

Former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter walks with his wife, former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter on Saturday August 04, 2018 in Plains, Georgia | Source: Getty Images

Decades after retiring from office, the father of four does not appear to slow down and is as active as can be. Questioned about whether he was prepared for when he could no longer do what he loved doing, Carter replied:

"It hasn't happened yet when my mental abilities will no longer allow it. I know it will come and I'm prepared for it."

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks to the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church before teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on April 28, 2019. | Source: Getty Images

While most men his age would be enjoying their sunset years resting and having a good time with family, Jimmy loves staying busy. At 80, he still made furniture and painted in his workshop. The father of four made complicated pieces of furniture and is a pretty good artist. He is also an author with 27 books under his belt.

Carter has remained active in his sunset years and was doing roadwork until he was 80, but then his knees gave out, and he had to slow down after knee surgery. He shared:

"If there comes a time [when an active life isn't possible], we will stay in our home in the Plains. We have our little church. We have our family. We have a lot of love."

He also admits that his large family makes him calmer about growing old. He says he is constantly in touch with younger people, and that helps keep him motivated. He adds:

"I am in touch with young people nearly every day. I have great-grandchildren that are 1 and 2, all the way to my children who are nearing retirement age. I am around a lot of different perspectives."

While Rosalynn is more actively involved in caring for their children and great-grandchildren, he says their family brings them together.

In 2011, the former president revealed in his book "Through the Year with Jimmy Carter" that he and his wife always kept in touch with their grandchildren and often visited them whenever they lived.

Jimmy Carter and family celebrate Christmas at home on December 25 1978 | Source: Getty Images

Jimmy and Rosalynn even traveled to see their first great-grandchild after he was born with Jimmy referring to him as a "cherished little boy — the first son of the first son of a first son."

Some of Jimmy Carter’s Children and Grandchildren Followed in His Footsteps

Carter has achieved a lot throughout his life, but his family has been his most celebrated accomplishment. With 43 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, it was inevitable that some would take after him and follow in his footsteps.

Former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter and his extended family in 1977 | Source: Getty Images

His firstborn son Jack is a businessman and a politician and was the 2006 Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Nevada. He is also a family man and is married to Elizabeth Brasfield. His son Jason, with his first wife Juliet, has also followed in his father and grandfather's political footsteps and is a former state senator.

Carter's other son James "Chip" Carter, is a political consultant, while his only daughter Amy Carter is known for her political activism and for participating in sit-ins.

Amy Carter Weds Jim Wentzel. From L-R: Jimmy, Rosalyn, Amy Cater, Jim, Judy, And Jim Wentzel. September 1, 1996, Plains, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images

Despite the big family, Jimmy has remained in touch with them and often takes them on vacation. He told CNN, as Nicki Swift reports:

"We try to hold our family together and just enjoy the family life."

Former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter and his extended family in 1977 | Source: Getty Images

However, it has not been all roses and rainbows. Jimmy has also experienced estrangement from some of his family members, particularly with his son Jack. Nicki Swift reports that Jimmy always saw his sons as an extension of himself, and there was always pressure on them to succeed.

However, that did not always sit well with Jack. One time, during a hunting trip in the early 80, Jack confronted his father, saying that the way he [Jimmy] treated him as a child almost ruined his life.

Jimmy Carter walks with his grandsons Jeremy Carter (R), 22, and Hugo Wentzel, 10 during a picnic event on October 31, 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey. | Source: Getty Images

The former president realized then that he had not been a great parent, and even though father and son spent the next few years estranged, they eventually mended their broken relationship. Since then, Jimmy has been working hard to compensate for his early shortcomings by spending plenty of time with his family.

However, ruined relationships are not the only challenge Jimmy has encountered concerning his family. The former first family has also endured the loss of family after his grandson Jeremy passed away following a short illness.

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