Jimmy And Rosalynn Carter Only Have One 'Rebellious' Daughter (2024)

Former first lady and mental health advocate Rosalynn Carter was laid to rest this week. Carter, who was the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, was 96 when she died. Her death came just a few months after the couple celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Jimmy said in a statement after his wife’s death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

Rosalynn’s memorial was on Tuesday, November 28, followed by a funeral on Wednesday in Plains, Georgia, where the couple lived. Jimmy, 99, left hospice care—where he has been since February—for the memorial service, which President Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and all first ladies who are still living are expected to attend, according to The New York Times. It was a rare appearance by the former president, who was wheeled in covered by a blanket with his wife's face on it.

With all of the attention on the Carter family, it’s understandable to have questions about Rosalynn and Jimmy’s children. So, who are the Carter’s children and where are they now? Here’s what you need to know.

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter had four children.

The Carters got married on July 7, 1946, according to Biography. Notably, they were the longest-enduring presidential couple in American history, the Times reported.

Rosalynn and Jimmy had four children together: John William "Jack" Carter, James Earl “Chip” Carter III, Donnel Jeffrey Carter, and Amy Lynn Carter.

John William “Jack” Carter, 76

Jack is the couple’s oldest child—he was born on July 3, 1947, according to the Jimmy Carter Library. Jack was once in the Navy but was discharged in 1976 for smoking pot, according to the Telegraph.

He’s a graduate of Georgia Tech and earned his J.D. from University of Georgia. Jack has worked as a lawyer and owned a grain elevator business, according to the Jimmy Carter Library. He has also worked at the Chicago Board of Trade and Citibank, along with Tabor Commodities.

Jack has two children with his first wife, Judy, and married his second wife in 1992. They couple moved to Bermuda, where they started an investment company, before moving to Las Vegas in 2003.

James Earl “Chip” Carter III, 73

Chip is the second Carter son, who was born on April 12, 1950 in Honolulu, where Jimmy was stationed while he was in the Navy, according to the University of Georgia. He has worked for the Democratic National Committee, as well as the Friendship Force, an international exchange program that his parents started.

Chip also reluctantly confirmed to GQ that he once smoked pot with Willie Nelson on the roof of the White House. “He told me not to ever tell anybody,” he said, before ending the call.

Chip was previously married to Caron Griffin, although the couple divorced in 1980, according to The Washington Post. He has been married three times, including to his current wife, Becky Payne, per the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff " Carter, 71

Born on August 18, 1952, Jeff Carter is the third son of Rosalynn and Jimmy. He studied geography and specialized in computer cartography at George Washington University, according to Time. He co-founded the company Computer Mapping Consultants with a former professor when he graduated.

Jeff was married to Annette Davis until her death in 2021, according to People.

Amy Lynn Carter, 56

Amy is the couple’s youngest child and only daughter. She was born on October 19, 1967, according to The White House. Amy received her bachelor’s degree from the Memphis College of Art and her master’s degree in art history from Tulane University, according to The Sun.

Amy has been called the couple’s “rebellious” daughter for reading at different state dinners and being arrested three times during protests. But Amy has a career as an artist—she illustrated her dad’s children’s book, The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer. Amy is now a member of the Carter Center’s board of councilors.

The Carters also have 11 grandchildren.

Between all four children, Rosalynn and Jimmy have 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, according to the Carter Center. One grandson died in 2015, according to the Carter Center.