The Carter Legacy: Where Are Jimmy Carter's Three Sons Now In 2025?

Contents

The three sons of former President Jimmy Carter, John William "Jack" Carter, James Earl "Chip" Carter III, and Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter, continue to uphold one of America's most enduring legacies in a year marked by profound change. As of December 2025, the Carter family is navigating a new era following the passing of the 39th U.S. President on December 29, 2024, and the loss of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 2023. The sons have stepped forward to ensure the humanitarian mission established by their parents—focused on global health, peace, and affordable housing—not only endures but thrives in the 21st century. Their lives today reflect a blend of public service, private challenges, and a deep commitment to the values instilled in them from their upbringing in Plains, Georgia.

The transition of leadership within The Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity has placed the spotlight squarely on the next generation. From leading massive volunteer efforts to quietly managing personal health battles, the current activities of Jack, Chip, and Jeff Carter provide a fresh, intimate look at the family behind the global humanitarian powerhouse. This detailed look explores their individual paths, their roles during the historic White House years, and the powerful ways they are carrying forward the Carter name today.

Jimmy Carter's Sons: Complete Biography and Profile

Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, shared a remarkably close family life, raising three sons and one daughter, Amy Carter. The sons’ biographies reflect lives spent in the shadow of the presidency, yet each carved out a unique and impactful career path.

  • John William "Jack" Carter
    • Born: July 3, 1947, in Portsmouth, Virginia.
    • Education: Georgia Tech, Georgia Southwestern College, Emory University (B.A.), University of Georgia Law School (J.D.).
    • Career Highlights: Served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War; worked in investment banking and consulting; ran for the U.S. Senate in Nevada in 2006.
    • Current Focus: Businessman, environmentalist, and political advocate. His son, Jason Carter, is a prominent figure as the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Carter Center.
  • James Earl "Chip" Carter III
    • Born: April 12, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
    • Education: Georgia Southwestern College.
    • Career Highlights: Political consultant; worked on his father's presidential campaign; served as a Democratic National Committee (DNC) staffer; played a key role in the White House during his father's term.
    • Current Focus: Primary family representative for the Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, carrying on the couple’s signature humanitarian mission.
  • Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter
    • Born: August 18, 1952, in New London, Connecticut.
    • Education: Georgia Southwestern College, George Washington University (B.A. in Geography), Georgia Tech (Master's in City Planning).
    • Career Highlights: Co-founder of Computer Mapping Consultants, a successful computer mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) firm; worked in the computer field.
    • Current Focus: Quietly navigating a personal health battle with Parkinson's Disease while remaining a key member of the extended Carter family network.

Chip Carter's Central Role in the Carter Work Project 2025

In the wake of his parents’ passing, James Earl "Chip" Carter III has taken on a highly visible and emotional role as the torchbearer for the family’s most celebrated humanitarian effort: the Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

The 39th annual Carter Work Project, held in Austin, Texas, in October 2025, marked a poignant milestone—it was the first one conducted without the physical presence of both President Carter and the late First Lady.

Chip Carter played a central, hands-on role in the Austin event, which saw thousands of volunteers gather to build 25 new homes for local families.

His involvement is more than ceremonial. It is a direct continuation of the Carter Work Project's mission, which has built, renovated, and repaired thousands of homes across 14 countries since 1984. Chip's presence serves as a powerful reminder of his parents' dedication to service and their belief in the dignity of stable housing. He has spoken movingly about the importance of bipartisanship and unity that the project inspires, a core value of the Carter legacy.

Jeff Carter’s Quiet Battle with Parkinson’s Disease

While Chip is leading the public-facing humanitarian efforts, the youngest son, Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter, has been navigating a significant, yet quietly managed, personal health challenge. Recent reports have confirmed that Jeff Carter has been living with Parkinson’s Disease for some time.

The news of his diagnosis emerged publicly around the time of his father’s passing, adding a deeply personal layer to the family’s recent challenges. Jeff’s son, Josh Carter, confirmed the diagnosis, noting his father is undergoing treatment, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy, to manage the symptoms of the progressive neurological disorder.

Jeff Carter, who built a successful career in computer mapping and geographic information systems (GIS), has always been the most private of the sons. His quiet battle with Parkinson's is a testament to the family’s resilience and their preference for handling personal struggles with dignity and out of the public spotlight. This recent revelation highlights the very real, human challenges faced by even the most prominent American families. The family's support network, rooted in their Georgian roots and the community of Plains, Georgia, remains a vital source of strength for Jeff.

Jack Carter and the Continuation of the Political and Advocacy Legacy

John William "Jack" Carter, the eldest son, has a background defined by business, law, and a foray into politics, including a run for the U.S. Senate in Nevada. While his personal business endeavors remain private in 2025, his legacy is most actively and publicly carried on through his son, Jason Carter.

Jason Carter, a former Georgia State Senator, now serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Carter Center. This organization, founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1982, is the global epicenter of the family’s work in peace, democracy, and disease eradication.

Jack Carter’s own political ambitions and background as an environmentalist and businessman laid the groundwork for the next generation's commitment to public service. His son's prominent role at The Carter Center is a powerful example of the family’s multi-generational commitment to their core mission.

The sons’ collective efforts—Jack’s family continuing the high-level advocacy at The Carter Center, Chip’s hands-on leadership at the Habitat for Humanity Carter Work Project, and Jeff’s quiet strength—demonstrate a unified front in preserving the humanitarian and moral legacy of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. They are not merely famous offspring; they are active stewards of one of the most respected philanthropic enterprises in modern American history.

Their work in 2025 emphasizes that the Carter legacy is not confined to the history books of the White House years but is a living, breathing mission dedicated to improving the lives of people globally and locally, from the housing projects in Austin, Texas, to the ongoing efforts of global disease eradication.

jimmy carter's sons
jimmy carter's sons

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