The Carter Legacy: A Deep Dive Into The Lives Of Jimmy Carter's 4 Children And 25 Descendants In 2025
The Carter family remains one of the most enduring and fascinating dynasties in American political history. As of early 2025, the four children of the late President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—continue to navigate their lives, balancing private pursuits with the immense public legacy of their parents. Their stories are a unique blend of political involvement, entrepreneurship, and quiet activism, all centered on the family's deep roots in Plains, Georgia, and their commitment to global humanitarian work through The Carter Center.
The former First Family's imprint is now most visible in the rising generation: their 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, who are actively preserving the Carter name in politics, law, and philanthropy. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the current lives of the four Carter children and the next generation carrying forward one of the most respected humanitarian legacies in the world.
The Four Pillars: A Biography and Current Status of Jimmy Carter's Children
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s four children each carved out distinct paths, often under the intense scrutiny that comes with being a presidential child. Despite their varied careers, they remain united in honoring their parents’ commitment to public service and family unity.
- John William "Jack" Carter
- Born: July 3, 1947, in Portsmouth, Virginia
- Age (2025): 77
- Spouses: Juliet "Judy" Langford (divorced), Elizabeth Brasfield
- Children: Jason Carter, Sarah Rosemary Carter
- Career: U.S. Navy veteran, lawyer, businessman, and politician. He has worked in law and business, and notably ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in Nevada in 2006.
- James Earl "Chip" Carter III
- Born: April 12, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Age (2025): 74
- Spouses: Caron Griffin (divorced), Becky Payne (divorced), Elizabeth Brasfield (divorced)
- Children: James Earl Carter IV, Joshua Jeffrey Carter
- Career: Political consultant and campaign operative. Chip was deeply involved in his father's political campaigns and later worked as a political consultant, playing a key role in the Democratic National Committee.
- Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter
- Born: August 18, 1952, in New London, Connecticut
- Age (2025): 72
- Spouse: Annette Davis (deceased)
- Children: Jeremy Carter (deceased), Johannes Carter, Joshua Carter
- Career: Computer mapping specialist and businessman. Jeff co-founded Computer Mapping Consultants, specializing in geography and technology—a field far removed from the political spotlight.
- Amy Lynn Carter
- Born: October 19, 1967, in Plains, Georgia
- Age (2025): 57
- Spouse: James "Jim" Wentzel
- Children: Hugo James Wentzel
- Career: Activist, social justice advocate, and author. Amy gained fame as the only daughter to live in the White House during her father's presidency. She later became known for her political activism and now maintains a very private life in Georgia, focusing on social justice and environmental causes.
Continuing the Political and Business Legacy: Jack and Chip Carter's Current Roles
The two eldest sons, Jack and Chip, have had the most direct involvement in the world of politics and public life, a tradition they continue to uphold in a more private capacity today.
Jack Carter: The Businessman and Environmentalist
John William "Jack" Carter, the eldest, has always balanced a career in law and business with a foray into the political arena. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he pursued a career that took him from law to investment consulting. His most notable public endeavor was his 2006 run for the U.S. Senate in Nevada, though he was unsuccessful.
As of 2025, Jack maintains a relatively low profile, focusing on his business interests and his passion for the environment. He is known to be an advocate for environmental causes and continues to reside in the western United States. His life reflects a deep-seated commitment to Democratic values and a quiet continuation of his parents' belief in service, albeit outside the Georgia political ecosystem.
Chip Carter: The Political Consultant and Family Spokesman
James Earl "Chip" Carter III has been a lifelong political operative, having been heavily involved in his father's campaigns, including the pivotal 1976 presidential run. His career as a political consultant has kept him close to the inner workings of the Democratic Party and Georgia politics.
In early 2025, Chip stepped into a significant public role as a family spokesman during the funeral observances for his father. His powerful and heartfelt eulogies, where he recalled his parents' profound partnership, provided a touching public window into the family's strength. Chip's continued presence in Atlanta, Georgia, and his political consulting work ensure the family name remains connected to the state's political landscape.
The Quiet Contributions: Jeff and Amy Carter's Focus on Technology and Activism
In contrast to their older brothers, Jeff and Amy have largely avoided the traditional political spotlight, choosing careers that reflect their interests in technology, social justice, and a more private existence.
Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter: The Tech Entrepreneur
Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter, the third son, forged a career in the field of computer mapping and technology. After studying urban geography, he co-founded Computer Mapping Consultants, a business that blended his academic background with the burgeoning technology sector. This entrepreneurial path allowed him to maintain a distance from the political world that defined his father's public life.
Jeff’s professional life highlights the diversity within the Carter family, proving that a legacy of service can manifest in many forms, including innovation and business. While he keeps a very low public profile, his background in technology is a testament to the family’s ability to adapt and contribute to modern society.
Amy Carter: The Private Activist
Amy Lynn Carter is perhaps the most recognizable of the Carter children due to her childhood in the White House, but she has deliberately chosen a life of privacy and focused activism.
After her father’s presidency, Amy became known for her involvement in social justice and anti-apartheid movements during her college years, embodying the progressive values of her parents. Today, she lives a quiet life in Georgia with her husband, James Wentzel, and her son, Hugo James Wentzel. While she rarely makes public appearances, her commitment to human rights and environmental advocacy continues to be the foundation of her private work, demonstrating that political impact does not always require a public office.
The Next Generation: 11 Grandchildren and The Carter Center Legacy
The true continuation of the Carter legacy is most evident in the next generation. The family now boasts 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, many of whom are actively involved in The Carter Center, law, and politics.
The grandchildren, in particular, have taken up the mantle of their grandparents' global mission, ensuring The Carter Center remains a powerful force for peace and health worldwide.
The Grandchildren Leading the Way
Two grandsons stand out for their high-profile roles, directly connecting the family to Jimmy Carter’s humanitarian and political work:
- Jason Carter (Son of Jack Carter): Jason is the most prominent political figure of the third generation. A former Georgia State Senator, he ran for Governor of Georgia in 2014. Most significantly, he serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Carter Center. His leadership ensures the organization’s mission—from disease eradication to democracy promotion—remains robust in 2025 and beyond. He was a key figure and speaker at his grandfather's funeral, demonstrating his leadership within the family.
- James Earl Carter IV (Son of Chip Carter): Known as "Jamie," James IV has found his niche as a political researcher and consultant. He runs his own firm, Carter Research, based in Atlanta, specializing in opposition research. His work keeps him deeply involved in the machinery of modern politics, carrying on the family's political tradition from behind the scenes.
Other Notable Grandchildren and Entities
The other nine grandchildren and their spouses further illustrate the family’s diverse interests, ensuring a broad and deep topical authority:
- Sarah Rosemary Carter (Daughter of Jack)
- Joshua Jeffrey Carter (Son of Chip)
- Sarah Chuldenko (Granddaughter)
- John Chuldenko (Grandson)
- Hugo James Wentzel (Son of Amy)
- Johannes Carter (Son of Jeff)
- Joshua Carter (Son of Jeff)
- The Carter Center: The enduring entity that unifies the entire family, serving as the central hub for their collective humanitarian work.
- Plains, Georgia: The small town remains the emotional and spiritual home of the Carter family, where the children and grandchildren often gather.
The combined force of Jimmy Carter's four children and his 25 direct descendants ensures that the Carter legacy—a commitment to peace, human rights, and public service—will continue to influence global affairs for generations to come. Their collective lives are a powerful testament to the impact one family can have on the world.
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