See Jimmy Carter' Relatives' Quotes About His Revived Interest in Politics
Of all the men who have served as president of the United States, few have expressed their love for their family quite like Jimmy Carter. The former commander-in-chief, who is 99 years old as of publication, served as the 39th president from 1977 until 1981, but is more widely known for his humanitarian work accomplished in his years outside the White House.
His gentle nature was only emphasized by the expressions of love he so often made about his beloved wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96. Together, they built a beautiful, multi-generational family who have often spoken about the love shared between the whole crew, which now spans almost an entire century.
Keep scrolling to read the inspiring and heartfelt quotes from the Carter family, about the Carter family.
Quotes from Amy Carter about her family
Amy Carter is the youngest of Jimmy and Rosalynn’s four children, and she has spoken about the love shared between her parents. Most notably, she spoke at her mother’s memorial service on behalf of her father, bringing a tear to every eye in the audience.
“My mom spent most of her life in love with my dad. Their partnership and love story was a defining feature of her life,” Amy said. She continued, “I am going to share some of his words about loving and missing her.
Amy proceeded to share a love letter sent from her father to mother.
“My darling, every time I have ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are. While I am away, I try to convince myself that you really are not, could not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you, I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn’t to me. Goodbye, darling. Until tomorrow. Jimmy.”
Jimmy Carter’s quotes about his family
Jimmy himself has spoken at length about his family and his marriage, giving insight into just how intertwined the Carter clan is.
"We have a big family now. We have 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 38 of us in all. So, we try to hold our family together and just enjoy the family life."
We have [22] grandchildren and four children so we have a lot of arguments about our family. But we try to get over that argument before we go to sleep.”
“We have to inspire our children and grandchildren to take on challenges and risks that at first may seem to be overwhelming, or even impossible. They need to understand that the only failure is not trying.”
Rosalynn Carter’s quotes about her family
Rosalynn was known for keeping her family life sacred and away from the press, but she did give some insight into how the Carter clan operated in her memoir, First Lady from Plains.
“Jimmy and I had always worked side by side; it’s a tradition in Southern families, and one that is not seen as in any way demeaning to the man. Once the press and our persistent opponents heard about my attendance at the (Cabinet) meetings, very soon it was rumored that I was ‘telling’ Jimmy what to do! They obviously didn’t know Jimmy!”
James Carter III's quotes about his father Jimmy Carter
James Carter III, who goes by Chip, hasn't been as vocal about his father's role in politics, but he did tell The Washington Post in September 2024 that Jimmy's attention had been turned to the presidential election. Ahead of his 100th birthday on October 1, 2024, the former president is not interested in marking the milestone, but rather sticking around until his can cast his ballot. “He said he didn’t care about that. It’s just a birthday. He said he cared about voting for Kamala Harris,” Chip shared.
In another rare update, Chip recalled visiting his mother's grave alongside his father on what would've been her birthday. "He was looking at her tombstone, and I started talking, and he told me to be quiet,” Chip shared. “No doubt he was praying, but he could have been just having a conversation with Mom."
Jason Carter’s quotes about his family
Jason Carter is one of the more prominent members of the Carter family, and has offered the public updates about his grandfather Jimmy’s condition as he ages.
“After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it’s like for him right now,” Jason said in June about Jimmy’s health status. “We have to embrace that fact, that there’s things about the spirit that you just can’t understand.”
However, Jason revealed in September 2024 that Jimmy was once again engaging in politics, eager to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in November.
“After my grandmother passed, he had a pretty long low period when he wasn’t really engaging much at all,” Jason told The Washington Post. "But now he’s talking about politics again.”
His quotes about his family continue to tug at heartstrings.
“I really think at this point he has given up his thought of being in control. I think he is waiting for God’s plan to run its course.”
“It's been awe-inspiring to watch my grandfather live out his values for all these decades. My earliest memories are from his years in the White House, and I've grown up witnessing and learning from his faith and his belief in equal treatment and respect for all people."
“[Jimmy and Rosalynn] got what they wanted. Out of all the things that they did, I mean, you do not get more from a life than the two of them got.”
“[Jimmy] wouldn’t have won his campaign for the state Senate without [Rosalynn] either, or the campaign for governor before 1976. She was by far the best politician in our family.”
“[Plains, Georgia] is the place that has given him the greatest support and it is the only place where he would go through this part of his life. That’s his home in every way, and he really cherished that time and that support.”
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“I think the fact that he and my grandmother both came from that small town – it’s a 600 person village, really – and it’s not near any interstate and it is truly out in the country and it is a fundamental part of who he is and who he has been for his whole life. There is no other place in the world that he would be at peace other than Plains.”
“It is such an American story... to go to Plains and see the house that my grandparents built and lived in for all their time and came home to after being president. It really tells a remarkable story of what people can be brought forward by our politics. It is a really incredible story to go from that little town to the White House and back again.”
Jimmy Carter’s grandsons have spoken warmly about the Carter family
James Earl Carter IV
On visiting his grandparents: "We are all juggling a lot lately. But yesterday my wife and I got to juggle for my grandparents. They loved it.”
Joshua Jeffrey Carter
On his shared woodworking passion with his grandfather: "When I was growing up, the Carter Center had an annual fundraiser every year in February, and it was a ski trip. And every year at the fundraiser, he would auction off a piece of furniture that he made. So every year when I was at his house for Christmas, I would always go into the shop from when I was eight until like well through college. I would work on the projects that he was working on. I think I worked on every single piece that he made for the auction."
Hugo James Wentzel
“I have had a great life with him. He's been an amazing grandpa. He's an amazing person. I absolutely love him. Growing up, he's been a great influence."
Keep scrolling for more stories about Jimmy Carter!
Jimmy Carter’s Grandson Offers an Emotional Update on the Former President: His Health Journey
Jimmy Carter’s Quotes Are Inspiring: Read His Messages on Leadership, Peace, Humanity and More
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Shared a Beautiful Marriage: Their Sweetest Quotes About One Another
