Former US President Jimmy Carter may have been a global leader, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and the founder of The Carter Centre, but to his family, he was a devoted grandfather first.
Jason Carter, one of his grandsons, shared heartfelt memories of his grandfather during a live interview on Good Morning America following Carter’s death on December 29, at the age of 100.
“He’s an interesting guy, but he really was a grandfather to me first,” Jason said.“I have memories of him taking me fishing or sitting down and talking about life. When I graduated from college, I asked him, ‘What would you do if you were me?’ He told me to join the Peace Corps in Africa, so I did.”
Jimmy Carter leaves behind four children and nearly two dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on 19 November 2023 at the age of 96. Jason described their 77-year marriage as “one of the great American love stories,” recalling their bond as captured in a photograph of them kissing during Carter’s presidency.
“He spent eight years in politics and the other 92 years in Plains, Georgia,” Jason noted. “He was a small-town guy who lived out his faith and love, reflected in that picture.”
Jason, who plans to deliver a eulogy at his grandfather’s funeral on 9 January, spoke of Carter’s enduring legacy. He admired how his grandfather remained true to himself even while reaching the pinnacle of power. “Our politics is messy, but he showed you can be in politics without compromising who you are,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Carter family aims to carry on the work of The Carter Centre, the organisation Jimmy Carter dedicated over 40 years to building. “There are 3,000 employees working globally in places like Ethiopia, Sudan, and Bangladesh to do the most good for the most people,” Jason explained.
