Former President Jimmy Carter candidly remarked about his well-being, as revealed by his grandson Jason Carter in a video. Despite struggling to articulate his feelings, Jimmy's life is an open book, from his humanitarian acts to the death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, and his close family ties.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, diagnosed with brain and liver cancer, has been in hospice care for a year and a half now.
At the 28th Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, his grandson, Jason Carter, provided updates on his grandpa, six months after the passing of former first lady, Rosalynn Carter."My grandfather is doing okay," Jason said, adding, "And he really is, I think, coming to the end."
Jason also opened up about an amusing interaction he had with his grandfather. "I said, 'Papaw, you know, I can't—people ask me how you're doing. And I say, 'I don't know.' And he said, 'Well, I don't know myself,'" he recounted. "He's still there," he added, emphasizing Jimmy's presence despite his health.
Jimmy had opted to spend his remaining time at home with his family while receiving hospice care rather than pursue further medical intervention, according to a February 2023 statement from The Carter Center. "He has the full support of his family and his medical team," the center announced.
Jimmy has consistently surpassed health expectations. In 2019, he helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity at 95 years old. For over 36 years, he and Rosalynn contributed to the construction and renovation of more than 4,000 homes.
In 2015, after revealing his cancer diagnosis, he shared, "I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease. I've had a full life, I have thousands of friends...so I was surprisingly at ease, much more so than my wife was."
The forum that Jimmy's grandson attended was the first since his wife's death. Jason also emphasized that the past year's experiences have highlighted the importance of caregiving, a key aspect of his late grandmother's legacy.
Rosalynn passed away on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96, following a diagnosis of dementia. She was a dedicated advocate for mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights. "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished," Jimmy said.
"She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me," the former president added.
With Rosalyn's passing, Jimmy Carter faces an uncertain path in his twilight years. Danny Guerdon, from The Carter Center, expressed empathy for Jimmy after he lost his wife.
Danny acknowledged Jimmy's sadness but believed that the former president finds solace in the certainty of reuniting with Rosalynn. Danny suggested that after spending so many years together, it can be challenging to carry on alone.
This notion, often referred to as "broken heart syndrome," is valid. Dr. Jayne Morgan, a cardiologist and executive director of Health and Community Education at Piedmont Healthcare, explained that the loss of a spouse could trigger stress and hormonal fluctuations, which can put pressure on the heart.
"We see it in about 2% of patients who present with signs and symptoms of a heart attack, and it turns out, they have this specific type of cardiac myopathy," Jayne added.
Family members of the Carters revealed that Rosalynn had derived solace from the view outside her front door in Plains. From this view, she saw the grassy slope where she and her husband envisioned being laid to rest, side by side.
In Rosalynn's absence, Jimmy is surrounded by his big family. The couple had welcomed four children: Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy. Their clan includes 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, despite losing one grandson in 2015. They all endeavor to maintain family unity and cherish the joys of familial bonds.
Josh Carter, Jimmy's grandson, reminisced about a long-standing tradition led by his grandparents. He recalled their annual New Year's gatherings that ceased only with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These trips, gathering the entire family in remarkable destinations, remained among his most cherished memories. Additionally, Josh fondly remembered the special bond his older son developed with Jimmy through fishing and the amusing anecdote of his younger son performing scooter tricks in the former first couple's home, a tale Rosalynn enjoyed recounting.
Jimmy has had the support of his family, and they continue standing by him to date. Nearly a centenarian, he faces several physical challenges but continues spending his time watching baseball games besides seeing his family almost every day.
Jimmy's family sometimes share the special moments they spend with him online. They also gush at pictures of the old couple. Jimmy's grandson, James Carter IV, once shared a video of him and his wife having fun at home. He wrote, "We are all juggling a lot lately. But yesterday my wife and I got to juggle for my grandparents. They loved it."
When speaking about Jimmy's legacy, Jason remarked that his grandfather's tenure in the private sector and his efforts at the Carter Center, dedicated to advocating for the most marginalized and impoverished communities worldwide, will form the cornerstone of what people will remember him for.
Jason emphasized Jimmy's belief in their capacity to transform their lives and in the importance of human rights and democracy for them. But as for now, Jimmy is doing well in hospice. Even though he lost Rosalynn, the love of family and his strong spirit keeps him going.
