The Carter Legacy Continues: A Deep Dive Into The Lives Of Jimmy Carter's Four Children In 2025

Few American families carry a legacy as profound and enduring as the Carters. Following the passing of former President Jimmy Carter on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, and his beloved wife Rosalynn Carter just weeks earlier, the world's attention has turned to the four children who now carry the torch of their parents' humanitarian and political work. This deep dive, updated for December 15, 2025, explores the current lives, careers, and contributions of the Carter children—John William "Jack," James Earl "Chip," Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff," and Amy Lynn—revealing how they are continuing the family's dedication to public service and private life.

The lives of the Carter children have spanned decades of history, from growing up on a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, to moving into the global spotlight of the White House. Today, they remain a tight-knit unit, focusing on their individual careers while collectively supporting the enduring mission of The Carter Center, ensuring that the former President and First Lady's work in global health, peace, and democracy continues to thrive in the modern era.

The Complete Carter Family Biography: Sons and Daughter

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were parents to three sons and one daughter, who were born across various states due to Jimmy Carter's active military career in the U.S. Navy. Together, the couple welcomed 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, creating a large family network that remains central to their legacy.

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• John William "Jack" Carter
  • Born: July 3, 1947, in Portsmouth, Virginia. (~78 years old)
  • Spouse: Elizabeth Brasfield (Second Wife)
  • Children: Jason Carter and Sarah Carter
  • Education: Georgia Institute of Technology (Nuclear Physics), Georgia Southwestern College, University of Georgia School of Law.
  • Career Highlights: Served in the U.S. Navy. He built a career in business and law, and later ventured into politics, notably running for the U.S. Senate in Nevada in 2006. He is also known as an environmentalist.
• James Earl "Chip" Carter III
  • Born: April 12, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (~75 years old)
  • Spouse: Currently married to Becky Payne.
  • Children: James Carter IV (from first wife Caron Griffin), Margaret Carter.
  • Education: Attended Georgia Southwestern College and Emory University.
  • Career Highlights: Deeply involved in his father's political campaigns, including serving as a staffer for the Democratic National Committee. He has worked as a political consultant and continues to be a central figure in the family's daily life and public representation.
• Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter
  • Born: August 18, 1952, in New London, Connecticut. (~73 years old)
  • Spouse: Late wife Annette Davis Carter.
  • Children: Joshua Jeffrey, Jeremy Davis, and James Carlton.
  • Education: George Washington University (Urban Planning).
  • Career Highlights: Jeff is a businessman and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Computer Mapping Consultants, a company that integrates technology with business, reflecting his background in urban planning and technical interests. He is generally considered the most private of the Carter children.
• Amy Lynn Carter
  • Born: October 19, 1967, in Plains, Georgia. (~58 years old)
  • Spouse: John Joseph "Jay" Kelly.
  • Children: Hugo James Kelly.
  • Education: Memphis College of Art, Tulane University, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
  • Career Highlights: The only daughter, Amy was famous as a child in the White House. She later became a prominent political activist, participating in sit-ins and protests during the 1980s and early 1990s against apartheid and CIA recruitment. Today, she is a visual artist, focusing on printmaking, sculpture, and fiber art.

The Enduring Legacy: How The Carter Children Uphold Their Parents' Vision

The primary focus for the Carter children in 2025 is the continuation of the work started by their parents, particularly through The Carter Center. While their individual careers span law, business, and art, their collective commitment to the Center's mission of advancing peace and health globally remains paramount. The four siblings have consistently appeared together at major family and Center events, demonstrating a unified front dedicated to their parents' ideals.

The transition of leadership and public face has seen a rise in the visibility of the grandchildren, notably Jason Carter, Jack's son, who serves as the Chairman of The Carter Center’s Board of Trustees. This multi-generational involvement ensures the Center's operations—from disease eradication efforts to election monitoring—are sustained, a key part of the family's identity after the passing of its founders.

Jack Carter: The Politician and Environmentalist

As the eldest son, Jack Carter has always maintained a public profile, bridging the gap between his father's political world and his own career in business and law. His background in nuclear physics from Georgia Tech is a testament to the family's intellectual rigor, while his later political run in Nevada showcased a desire to continue the family's tradition of public service. Jack's current focus often revolves around environmental issues, a cause that aligns with the broader humanitarian goals of the Carter legacy. His son, Jason, is now one of the most visible members of the family in the public sphere, making Jack's branch a vital connection to the future of the family's institutional work.

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Chip Carter: The Political Consultant and Family Anchor

James Earl "Chip" Carter III, whose name honors his father and grandfather, has perhaps the closest ties to the machinery of political life. Having worked on his father's campaigns and with the Democratic National Committee, Chip possesses an intimate understanding of the political landscape. In recent years, Chip has been a crucial family anchor, providing updates on his father's health and daily routine during his final years of hospice care in Plains. His son, James Carter IV, an amateur historian, has also gained recognition for his work in preserving the family's historical narrative, further cementing Chip’s role as a steward of the Carter story.

Amy Carter: From White House Child to Contemporary Artist and Activist

Amy Lynn Carter remains one of the most recognizable "First Children" in history due to her young age in the White House. Her adult life has been marked by a fierce commitment to political activism, often participating in demonstrations that made national news in the 1980s and 90s. This dedication to social justice echoes her parents' lifelong fight for human rights.

Today, Amy has channeled her passion into the world of fine art. She is an accomplished artist working in printmaking, sculpture, and fiber art. Her work is occasionally featured in exhibitions, such as the "Teeny Tiny" exhibition at Illuminate Art Space in Fort Worth, Texas, in Spring 2025, demonstrating her continued creative output and relevance in the contemporary art world. Her life illustrates a seamless transition from direct political protest to artistic expression, both serving as powerful forms of commentary and engagement.

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Jeff Carter: The Entrepreneur and Private Businessman

Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter is the most reserved of the siblings, maintaining a deliberately private life away from the intense media scrutiny that followed the family. His professional path as an entrepreneur and businessman is rooted in his urban planning education. His co-founding of Computer Mapping Consultants showcases a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. While less visible in the public eye, Jeff's work in the private sector represents the diverse interests and independent careers of the Carter children, proving that the family's influence extends far beyond the political and humanitarian spheres. His quiet success and dedication to his own family—including his three sons—is a testament to the grounded values instilled by his parents.

The four children of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—collectively represent a powerful continuation of one of America's most respected families. As 2025 unfolds, their focus remains on supporting The Carter Center and honoring the legacy of integrity, service, and humility that defined their parents' lives.