Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is about to reach an incredible milestone—his 100th birthday on October 1! Recently, his grandson, Jason Carter, gave an exciting update about his grandfather’s health during a special music event held in Jimmy’s honor. The event, “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song,” was a beautiful tribute to the former president’s love for music and a way to reflect on his remarkable life.
But Jason also shared some personal insights about how Jimmy is doing after months in hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Talking to People magazine at the concert, Jason shared, “He has really physically diminished, but he is emotionally engaged and still having experiences and laughing, loving.” Although Jimmy Carter’s body is much weaker now, his heart and mind are still active. He finds joy in moments of laughter and love, surrounded by family and memories.
Jimmy entered hospice care in February 2023, and at the time, the family thought they had to say goodbye soon. “We thought it was the end,” Jason said, remembering how they all braced themselves for the worst. But to their surprise, Jimmy has continued to fight, and Jason remarked, “God had other plans.”
In an earlier interview with Southern Living, Jason spoke about how unpredictable Jimmy’s health is. “It’s hard to know how he’ll be on any given day,” he shared. Some days, Jimmy isn’t awake, and the family visits without knowing what to expect. Jason even recalled a moment when he asked Jimmy how he was feeling about the uncertainty. Jimmy, with a knowing smile, said, “I don’t know myself.”
Plains, Georgia, has always been home for Jimmy and his late wife, Rosalynn Carter. The couple spent their final years there, building a life filled with love and memories. Rosalynn passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96, after 77 years of marriage. Losing her has been incredibly hard for Jimmy, and Jason spoke about the deep impact it has had on his grandfather.
“None of us really understand what it’s like for him right now,” Jason said. “There are things about the spirit that you just can’t understand.” After spending nearly eight decades together, Jimmy is still adjusting to life without the woman he loved.
Despite the challenges, Plains remains the only place Jimmy truly feels at peace. “It is the place that has given him the greatest support,” Jason explained. “It’s a fundamental part of who he has been his whole life. There’s nowhere else in the world where he would feel more at peace.”
Jimmy has now been in hospice care for over 19 months, but he continues to feel love and support from his family and the community. Jason shared that while it’s been tough at times, Jimmy still appreciates all the love surrounding him. “He gets frustrated sometimes,” Jason admitted, “but there’s also a deep sense of appreciation for the outpouring of love from everyone.”
The big update on Jimmy’s health came just before his milestone birthday celebration, which took place on September 17 at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre. The concert was a spectacular event, featuring performances from famous musicians like Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, and Eric Church.
It was open to the public and was a beautiful way to honor Jimmy’s lifelong passion for music. Jason also shared that music has always been a huge source of joy for his grandfather. Whether it was during his time in the White House or at home in Plains, music has always been a part of Jimmy’s life.
Despite his physical limitations, Jimmy Carter continues to be an inspiration to everyone around him. His resilience, love for life, and strong spirit have touched his family and the nation in ways that will last forever.
What do you think of Jimmy Carter’s incredible journey? Share your thoughts in the comments!