13 Memorable Photos of Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter with Their Family — in Honor of His 100th Birthday!

The former president and his late wife Rosalynn shared four children — sons John William "Jack," James Earl "Chip," Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" and daughter Amy

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn with three children, Chip, Jack and Jeff.
Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn with three children, Chip, Jack and Jeff. Photo:

Bettmann Archive/Getty

Before Jimmy Carter ever stepped into the Oval Office as president, he was just Dad to his four kids

The former president, who turns 100 on Oct. 1, 2024, welcomed sons John William "Jack," 76; James Earl "Chip," 72; Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff," 71; and daughter Amy Lynn, 55, with his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, over the course of their 77-year-marriage. By 2015, the couple had 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As we commemorate Carter's milestone birthday, take a look at some memorable moments the former commander in chief shared with his family — from their days as the first family of Georgia to holding each other close as they said goodbye to Rosalynn in 2023.

01 of 13

The Carter Boys

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn with three children, Chip, Jack and Jeff.
Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn with their three sons.

Bettmann Archive/Getty

The couple perused some literature in this undated shot seemingly taken before their daughter Amy — who came 15 years after Jeff — joined the family.

02 of 13

A Family Man

A portrait of President Jimmy Carter and his extended family. Left to right: Judy (Mrs. Jack Carter); Jason James Carter; Jack (John William Carter); Annette (Mrs. Jeff Carter); Jeff (Donnel Jeffrey Carter); First Lady Rosalynn Carter; daughter Amy Lynn Carter; President Carter; daughter-in law Caron Griffin Carter holding James Earl Carter IV; and son Chip (James Earl Carter III). 1977-1980.
President Jimmy Carter and his extended family. CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

In this snap taken sometime in the late '70s, Jimmy and Rosalyn happily pose with their family and extended family.

03 of 13

Kids Will Be Kids

A portrait of President Jimmy Carter and his extended family. 1977-1980. | Location: indoors. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
President Jimmy Carter and his extended family in the 1970s. CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Even for the first family, getting your kids or grandkids to sit still can be hard. The Carters smiled on as one tot clearly had other plans while in the middle of a family photoshoot.

04 of 13

Having a Chat

Capricorn Records President Phil Walden talks with Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter and his son Chip Carter in a dressing room after The Marshall Tucker Band benefit concert at the Fabulous Fox Theater on October 31, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Capricorn Records President Phil Walden with Jimmy Carter and his son Chip Carter in 1975.

Tom Hill/WireImage

While still the governor of Georgia, Carter and his son Chip had a backstage chat with Capricorn Records President Phil Walden at The Marshall Tucker Band benefit concert in Atlanta in 1975.

05 of 13

Showing PDA

The new "first family" of the Democratic Party gathers on the podium at the Democratic National Convention. From left: Lillian Carter, mother; Amy, daughter; Jack, son; Jimmy Carter kissing wife, Rosalynn; Jeff, son and his wife, Annette. It was a triumphant night for the family from Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Jimmy and Rosalynn share a kisss. Bettmann Archive/Getty

Jimmy and Rosalynn were surrounded by loved ones when they became the "first family of the Democratic Party" back in 1976. The couple shared a kiss while surrounded by Jimmy's mother, Lillian, and their kids Amy, Jack, Jeff and his wife, Annette.

06 of 13

Daddy's Girl

Washington, D.C.: Amy Carter with her father Jimmy and mother Rosalynn Carter in a family suite at the Americana Hotel in Washington, D.C. on July 14, 1976. (Photo by Dick Yarwood/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
Amy Carter with her father Jimmy and mother Rosalynn Carter. Dick Yarwood/Newsday RM via Getty

The Carters played with their daughter Amy in this black and white photo from 1976.

07 of 13

Making Memories

President-elect Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy pose for an official family photograph in Plains, Georgia, December 5th 1976.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with their daughter Amy in 1976.

UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty

As the youngest of the Carters' four children, Amy was a tween and young teenager during her dad’s presidency. Here, she poses with her parents in December 1976 in Plains, Ga., just before Carter was inaugurated into office.

08 of 13

Daughter-in-Chief

American President Jimmy Carter talks with his daughter Amy, who sits on his lap, in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington DC, 1978. (Photo by Katherine Young/Getty Images)
President Jimmy Carter talks with his daughter Amy in 1978. Katherine Young/Getty

While her older brothers would have been out of the house by the time President Carter came into office, Amy was still a child when her family moved into the White House and is seen here hanging out with her dad in the Oval Office in 1978.

09 of 13

Pledging Allegiance

Chip Carter, Amy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, and Jeff Carter, the family of Jimmy Carter, their right hands during the oath of allegiance to the Democratic Party at the Democratic National Convention, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, 11th August 1980.
Chip Carter, Amy Carter, Rosalynn Carter and Jeff Carter at the Democratic National Convention in 1980.

The News World/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty

Carter was supported by his wife, Rosalynn, and children Chip, Amy and Jeff at the 1980 Democratic National Convention as he was on the campaign trail for his second term as president. Carter would go on to lose to Ronald Reagan in the election later that year.

10 of 13

For the Children

Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter and Amy Carter in 1995.

Rick Diamond/Getty

The father-daughter duo posed for a photo during a shoot for their 1995 children's book, The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer in Plains, Ga.

11 of 13

Doing Good Together

Amy Carter, Former President Jimmy Carter and Jeff Carter
Amy Carter, President Jimmy Carter and Jeff Carter.

R. Diamond/WireImage

Starting in the 1980s, the Carters were heavily involved in Habitat for Humanity as volunteers. Part of their efforts have included the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project which has built over 4,000 homes. In 2005, the former president was joined by his children Amy and Jeff to work on a project for the organization.

12 of 13

Staying Close

James "Chip" Carter and Amy Carter hold hands near their father, former US President Jimmy Carter (C), during a tribute service for former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter,

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Following her death on Nov. 19 at age 96, Rosalynn Carter was honored with a memorial service in the family’s home state of Georgia. Moving images from the ceremony included two of their children, Chip and Amy, tending to their father.

13 of 13

Leading with Love

James "Chip" Carter kisses the head of his father, former US President Jimmy Carter, during a tribute service for former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter

 ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

In another image, Chip is seen giving his dad, then 99, a kiss on the head.

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