The Carter Legacy: Where Are Jimmy Carter's Four Children Now And How They Continue His Mission In 2025

The four children of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—have spent their entire lives navigating the unique challenges of a prominent political family, yet each has forged a distinct path rooted in the Carter family’s commitment to service. As of today, December 15, 2025, their lives continue to draw public interest, particularly as they uphold the monumental humanitarian legacy established by their parents through decades of work at The Carter Center and in their individual careers. This deep dive explores the current activities and enduring impact of the Carter siblings, from political consulting to environmental advocacy and social justice work, demonstrating how the second generation is carrying the torch of one of America's most respected political dynasties.

The Carter Siblings: A Full Biographical Profile

The Carter family dynamic is unusual for a presidential family, marked by a deep sense of privacy despite their public roles. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had three sons and one daughter, all of whom have pursued careers that reflect a blend of business acumen, political engagement, and social advocacy.

• John William "Jack" Carter
  • Born: July 3, 1947, in Portsmouth, Virginia.
  • Current Age: 78
  • Education: Georgia Institute of Technology (Nuclear Physics), Georgia Southwestern College, University of Georgia School of Law.
  • Career Focus: Businessman, lawyer, politician, and environmentalist. He worked in finance and business before entering politics.
  • Key Detail: Ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Nevada in 2006.
• James Earl "Chip" Carter III
  • Born: April 12, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Current Age: 75
  • Education: Attended Georgia Southwestern College.
  • Career Focus: Political consultant and businessman. He was deeply involved in his father’s political campaigns.
  • Key Detail: Served as a member of the Plains City Council and has worked as a political consultant for hundreds of campaigns over his career. He currently lives in Decatur, Georgia.
• Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter
  • Born: August 18, 1952, in New London, Connecticut.
  • Current Age: 73
  • Education: Attended Georgia Southwestern College; studied geography and computer cartography at George Washington University.
  • Career Focus: Investor and businessman.
  • Key Detail: Co-founded Computer Mapping Consultants, a firm specializing in computer cartography, blending his technical and business interests.
• Amy Lynn Carter
  • Born: October 19, 1967, in Plains, Georgia.
  • Current Age: 58
  • Education: Brown University, Tulane University (Master of Art History).
  • Career Focus: Human rights and social justice advocate, former First Daughter.
  • Key Detail: Became a public figure as a child, living in the White House from age nine. As an adult, she has maintained a private life in Georgia while focusing on advocacy work.

The Enduring Mission: How The Carter Children Uphold the Humanitarian Legacy

The most significant aspect of the Carter children’s current lives is their collective dedication to the humanitarian and peace-building work of The Carter Center. While their parents were the founders, the siblings and the next generation of grandchildren are now the primary keepers of this global legacy, ensuring the Center’s mission remains viable in 2025.

Jason Carter: The New Face of The Carter Center

The family’s public-facing leadership at the Center is currently embodied by Jason Carter, Chip Carter's son and the former President’s grandson. Jason Carter serves as the Chairman of The Carter Center’s Board of Trustees, a role that places him at the forefront of the organization’s efforts to wage peace, fight disease, and build hope globally. Jason, a former Georgia State Senator, has been instrumental in steering the Center through recent transitions, reflecting on the unique balance of carrying a famous legacy while forging his own path. His leadership ensures that the Center’s work—from monitoring elections to eradicating diseases like Guinea worm—continues with the same integrity and focus as when his grandparents founded it in 1982. This continuity is the most powerful testament to the children’s collective commitment to their parents’ values.

Individual Paths: Business, Politics, and Quiet Advocacy

Beyond the formal structure of The Carter Center, each of Jimmy Carter’s children has maintained a career that reflects their unique skills and interests, often blending them with the family’s political and service-oriented background.

Jack Carter: From Nuclear Physics to Environmental Politics

Jack Carter, the eldest son, had a diverse early career, notably earning a degree in nuclear physics before transitioning to law and business. His most public foray into his father's world of politics was his 2006 run for the U.S. Senate in Nevada. While unsuccessful, this campaign solidified his identity as a businessman and an environmentalist, advocating for policies that mirrored the broader Democratic platform. Today, he continues his work in business and environmental advocacy, albeit with a lower public profile than his political run.

Chip Carter: The Political Consultant and Campaign Veteran

James Earl "Chip" Carter III has arguably stayed closest to the political machinery, leveraging his experience gained during the 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns. As a seasoned political consultant, he has advised countless campaigns, focusing on state and local races, which keeps him actively engaged in the political landscape of Georgia and beyond. His earlier service on the Plains City Council also highlights a commitment to grassroots governance, a value strongly instilled by his father's own career path.

Jeff Carter: Technology and Finance Behind the Scenes

Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter carved out a career that was more technical and business-focused. His co-founding of Computer Mapping Consultants showcases a forward-thinking approach, utilizing his background in geography and computer cartography. His work in investing and finance keeps him primarily out of the public spotlight, representing the private, entrepreneurial side of the Carter family. His career path demonstrates the family's ability to succeed in the modern business world while maintaining a base in Georgia.

Amy Carter: The Human Rights Advocate

Amy Carter, who became famous for her childhood years in the White House, has maintained a fiercely private life as an adult. After completing her education, her focus shifted to human rights and social justice advocacy. While she avoids the media, her work is a quiet but powerful continuation of her parents’ global efforts. She has been involved in various forms of activism throughout her life, and some reports even place her in a director role for community engagement at the Gates Foundation, aligning her with major philanthropic and social change initiatives. Her commitment to advocacy ensures that the family name remains associated with progressive causes and a dedication to improving the lives of others. The Carter children, along with their own children like Jason Carter, are now the primary custodians of the Carter legacy. Their collective efforts, whether in the boardroom, the political arena, or the quiet work of social justice, serve as a living testament to the enduring values of service, humility, and global citizenship that defined their parents' extraordinary lives.