Jimmy Carter at ‘very end’ of his ‘journey’ as he turns 100

Jimmy Carter made history on October 1 by turning 100 years old, becoming the first American president to live a full century! It was a day of big celebrations, but behind all the excitement, his grandson shared some personal updates about Carter’s health. Jason Carter explained that the former president is “very limited in what he can do” and that this phase of his life is something only experienced “at the very end.”

On that special day, family and friends gathered in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, to celebrate his milestone birthday. However, it was a bittersweet occasion—his first birthday without his beloved wife, Rosalynn, whom he had been married to for 77 years.

President Joe Biden, a close friend of Carter’s, sent a heartfelt message. “We know this is the first birthday without Rosalynn. It’s bittersweet, but we also know she’s always with you,” Biden said. “She’s in your heart; she’ll never go away. She may be gone, but she’s always going to be with you. She’s always there, and I know you know that.”

Rosalynn Carter, who was also from Plains, passed away on November 19, 2022, at the age of 96. Jimmy Carter, who now uses a wheelchair to get around, hasn’t made many public appearances since, but he did attend his wife’s memorial service.

President Biden, one of the earliest supporters of Carter’s 1976 presidential run, continued to shower praise on his old friend, saying, “Even after you left office, the moral clarity you showed throughout your career came through again in your work with the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity. Put simply, Mr. President, I admire you so darn much.”

The birthday party took place at Carter’s own home, where he now lives in hospice care. It’s the same house he and Rosalynn built together in the 1960s. Jason, Carter’s grandson, shared that the home has always been special to his grandfather.

“It’s the place that has given him the greatest support and is the only place where he would go through this part of his life,” Jason said. “That’s his home in every way, and he really cherished that time and that support.”

Jason Carter, 49, is not only a lawyer and politician but also the eldest of Carter’s 22 grandchildren. He’s the son of Carter’s first-born son, Jack, who is now 77. Speaking about his grandfather’s deep connection to Plains, Jason said, “There is no other place in the world where he would be at peace other than Plains.”

In an interview with Southern Living, Jason opened up about the tough emotional journey his grandfather has faced since Rosalynn’s passing. “After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it’s like for him right now,” Jason said. “We have to embrace the fact that there are things about the spirit that you just can’t understand.”

The party itself was full of joy and tributes. Guests enjoyed cupcakes on the lawn while old World War II planes flew overhead in honor of Carter’s birthday. In the evening, everyone gathered around to watch the vice-presidential debate on TV.

Carter’s 74-year-old son, Chip, was also there and shared some lighthearted moments about his father. “He’s plugged in,” Chip said, explaining that Carter is still paying attention to politics and current events. “I asked him two months ago if he was trying to live to be 100, and he said, ‘No, I’m trying to live to vote for Kamala Harris.’”

Jason, who is now the chairman of the Carter Center, also spoke proudly about his grandfather’s incredible life. “Not everybody gets 100 years on this earth, and when somebody does, and they use that time to do so much good for so many people, it’s worth celebrating,” he said.

Reflecting on the past 19 months since Carter entered hospice care, Jason added, “It’s been a chance for our family to reflect, and for the rest of the country and the world to really reflect on him. That’s been a really gratifying time.”

Despite Carter’s physical limitations, Jason shared that his grandfather’s spirits are still high. In an interview with People magazine in September 2024, Jason said, “He has really physically diminished and can’t do much on his own. But he is emotionally engaged and still having experiences, laughing, and loving.”

Jason also emphasized how meaningful this phase of Carter’s life has been. “This is an important part of his journey, one that you don’t get to experience at any other time in your life except for the very end,” he said. “And in that way, I think this has been a really meaningful time for him.”

Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday was not just a celebration of his longevity but also a tribute to a life filled with service, love, and making the world a better place. It was a day filled with memories, reflection, and appreciation for a man who continues to inspire.

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Allison Lewis

Allison Lewis joined the Newsgems24 team in 2022, but she’s been a writer for as long as she can remember. Obsessed with using words and stories as a way to help others, and herself, feel less alone, she’s incorporated this interest into just about every facet of her professional and personal life. When she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her listening to Taylor Swift, enjoying an audiobook, or playing a video game quite badly.

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.