Former President Jimmy Carter, at 99 years old, remains engaged in the political landscape despite being unable to attend the Democratic National Convention due to declining health.
The Daily Mail reported that Carter, who has been in hospice care for over a year, has expressed his hope to live long enough to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, according to his grandson, Jason Carter.
Jimmy Carter, who served as the 39th President of the United States, has faced a series of health challenges in recent years
. In November 2023, Carter’s condition worsened following the death of his wife, Rosalynn, with whom he had shared 77 years of marriage.
After this heartbreaking loss, Carter’s health further deteriorated, and he has since become less active, with his last public appearance occurring during Rosalynn’s memorial services.
Jason Carter shared that despite these challenges, his grandfather's spirit remains unbroken.
He conveyed that Jimmy Carter's legacy is not measured by his political achievements alone but by the lives he has touched and the good he has done throughout his long and dedicated life. In this spirit, Jason noted that Kamala Harris embodies the values his grandfather has always championed, highlighting her commitment to leadership through service and decency.
"She knows what is right, and she fights for it," Jason Carter said, emphasizing the alignment between Harris's values and those of the former president. He further stated that Jimmy Carter's hope to vote for Harris reflects his deep belief in her ability to continue his legacy of compassionate and effective leadership.
Carter’s journey through hospice care has been marked by moments of both physical decline and spiritual resilience. Jason Carter described his grandfather's state, acknowledging that while Jimmy Carter's body may be weakening, his spirit remains unwaveringly strong.
He shared that Jimmy Carter has been less alert since June, a sign of his ongoing struggle, yet he continues to experience the world around him as much as possible.
Plains, Georgia, the town where Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter built their home, has been a place of profound importance during this phase of his life.
Jason Carter noted that Plains is the only place where his grandfather would want to spend these final years, surrounded by the support and love of the community that has been a constant in his life.
As Jimmy Carter approaches his 100th birthday on October 1, his focus remains on the future, particularly on the upcoming presidential election.
His desire to vote for Kamala Harris serves as a testament to his enduring commitment to the principles he has upheld throughout his life. This wish, as Jason Carter shared, is one of the few things that continue to motivate the former president in his daily life.
Jimmy Carter’s health may be declining, but his engagement with the world, especially with political matters, remains a vital part of who he is.
Jason Carter noted that in recent months, his grandfather has shown increased alertness and interest in global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This heightened awareness underscores the former president’s lifelong dedication to humanitarian causes and his concern for global peace.
As the Carter family prepares for the inevitable, they do so with a deep understanding of the legacy Jimmy Carter will leave behind. The former president has already made arrangements for his final resting place, which will be alongside Rosalynn in Plains, in the home they shared and loved. This home, which holds countless memories of their life together, is deeded to the National Park Service and will eventually become a museum, preserving the Carters' legacy for future generations.
Jason Carter reflected on the strength of his grandfather’s spirit, particularly after the loss of Rosalynn. "After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it's like for him right now," he said, emphasizing the deep emotional and spiritual journey Jimmy Carter is currently undergoing.
