James Earl Carter Jr., commonly known as Jimmy Carter, was the 39th president of the United States and served as the nation’s chief executive during a time of serious problems at home and abroad. He was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia.
Carter’s presidency was marked by several crises, including an energy crisis, high inflation and unemployment rates, and the Iranian hostage crisis.
He is also known for his efforts to promote human rights and peace around the world. After leaving office, he continued his work in these areas through his nonprofit organization, The Carter Center.
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Carter’s perceived mishandling of these issues led to defeat in his bid for reelection. He later turned to diplomacy and advocacy, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2002.
Jimmy Carter wrote numerous books after leaving the U.S. presidency. He wrote many books that became bestsellers:
- Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
- We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: a Plan That Will Work
- White House Diary
- The Virtues of Aging
- A Full Life: Reflections at 90
- Faith: A Journey For All
Family Overview
President Jimmy Carter came from a political background.
His father was a Southern Democrat during the Jim Crow era and was in favor of segregation. However, Jimmy would grow past that and venture into politics himself. His adventure came after his father's death.
His mother was still living when it came time for him to take the oath of office, but she would die a couple of years later after he left office.
He had three siblings, and all died younger than expected, and they all died of pancreatic cancer.
He had four children, and all became professionally successful but struggled professionally with multiple divorces. All had children, which meant that Carter now has many grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Jimmy Carter is now located in hospice and spending his remaining days with his family. He is the oldest living President of all time.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
James Earl Carter (1894 - 1953) - He served in the United States Congress, and despite the Democratic association, he opposed many of Franklin Roosevelt's policies. He and his wife would have four children. Jimmy Carter has survived them by over 20 years.
Bessie Lillian Gordy (1898 - 1983) - She served as a Peace Corps volunteer and wrote two books during Carter's presidency. She married in 1923 and did not remarry after her husband's death 30 years later.
Spouse:
Rosalyn Smith (1927 - Living) - She married Jimmy Carter in 1946, and the two would go on to have many children. He and his wife are still alive and living at their home. The couple has many grandchildren and has supported many admirals causes after his presidency.
Children:
John William Carter (1947 - Living) - the eldest child of the Carter Family. Jack, as he is known, ran for Senate and has had a successful career. He and his wife had one child. He eventually divorced and remarried. His remarriage included two step-children.
James Earl Carter III (1950 - Living) - He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, while his dad was stationed in the Pacific. He has married three times and has two children from those marriages. He is known for smoking pot with Willie Nelson while Willie was visiting the White House.
Donnel Jeffrey Carter (1952 - Living) - He and his wife had three children. He lost his wife in 2021 when she passed away. He was the only son not to have multiple divorces.
Amy Lynn Carter (1967 - Living) - She grew up during the Jimmy Carter presidency and would go on to become a political activist for the Democratic party. She has been married and divorced with one son.
Siblings:
Gloria Carter (1926 - 1990) - She married and had children with her husband. She would be the oldest of the siblings but would succumb to Pancreatic Cancer in 1990.
Ruth Carter (1929 - 1983) - She was the second oldest sister in the Carter household. She did marry and had children, but she would also die young. She died of Pancreatic Cancer many years prior to her older sister.
William Alton Carter (1937 - 1988) - He was the second of his siblings to die of Pancreatic Cancer. He left behind a wife and child who are still living to this day.