Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter reached a remarkable milestone, celebrating his 100th birthday.
Ahead of this historic occasion, his grandson, Jason Carter, provided an update on his health, reflecting the resilience and emotional strength of the nation’s longest-living president.
Jimmy Carter has been receiving hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, since February 2023. Despite being physically diminished, Jason emphasized that his grandfather remains emotionally present.
Speaking to People magazine at the “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song” concert, Jason shared, “He’s emotionally engaged, still having experiences, laughing, and loving. He’s navigating this stage of life as best he can.”
Jason noted that there has been little change in Jimmy’s condition over the past months, though the absence of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023 at age 96, has deeply affected him. “After 77 years of marriage, it’s hard to comprehend what he’s going through now,” Jason remarked.
The Carter family initially expected Jimmy’s time in hospice to be brief, but his enduring spirit has defied expectations. Jason reflected, “God had other plans,” crediting Jimmy’s faith as a guiding force in his decision to forego additional medical treatments and embrace this phase of life in his beloved Plains.
Plains, the small Georgia town where Jimmy and Rosalynn built their home in 1961, has been a sanctuary during this period. “Plains has always been integral to who he is,” Jason explained. “There’s no other place he’d want to be.”
Jason also spoke candidly about the challenges of understanding Jimmy’s condition, admitting that even his grandfather isn’t entirely sure how he’s feeling. However, he highlighted the love and cherished moments shared by the family, including fishing trips and lessons that Jimmy passed down to his great-grandchildren, now 18 and 15.
Jimmy Carter’s centennial was celebrated with a concert featuring artists like Eric Church and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The event underscored the immense admiration and legacy of a man who continues to inspire, even in his final chapter. Jason summed it up beautifully: “He’s still experiencing love at the highest level.”