Where is Amy Carter, Jimmy Carter's daughter, now?

After decades out of the public eye, former President Jimmy Carter’s family — including his youngest child, Amy Carter, who was just 9 when her father was elected — is back in the spotlight at his state funeral. Amy, now 57, lives in the Atlanta area with her family; Husband John Joseph “Jay” Kelly and sons Hugo (born 1999) and Errol (born 2010).

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Amy Carter forms a heart with her hands as her father’s casket is carried into the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

Here’s what you should know about her life after the White House:

She attended Brown University, Memphis College of Art and Tulane University.

After her father’s presidency, the Carters moved back to Georgia, where Amy completed high school at Woodward Academy. She then attended Brown University, but was reportedly dismissed on academic grounds after her sophomore year in 1987 “for failing to keep up with her coursework.” Amy denied reports that she had been expelled or fired, saying: “They told me to take a semester off.” I wasn’t expelled. I don’t have to reapply to be readmitted.”

She then graduated from Memphis College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1991 and a Masters in Art History from Tulane in 1996.

Amy was politically active in the 80s and protested against apartheid.

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Carly Simon, Abbie Hoffman and Amy Carter in March 1987.

Carter was arrested in the 1980s for protests against the CIA and the apartheid regime in South Africa. “Amy is a very shy girl, contrary to the image portrayed in the news media,” Carter said at the time. “But she really believes in what she’s doing.”

In another interview he said: “She was arrested four times for trying to raise awareness about the severity of apartheid and the Nicaraguan war.” She represented the same thing I felt. But not because I felt it. Because she believed it.”

She wrote a children’s book with her father.

President Carter and Amy Carter photo shoot for their new children's book

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Former President Carter and his daughter Amy Carter in August 1995.

In 1995, Jimmy and Amy released The little baby Snoogle Fleejer, Based on a story Jimmy told her as a child. “Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jeremy who lived with his mother in a small house by the sea. His mother supported the couple’s meager living by washing clothes for some of the wealthy families in their town. Jeremy loved her very much…” Amy did the illustrations for the book.

The little baby Snoogle Fleejer

She taught art at Paideia School.

According to the New York Times“She taught art part-time at Paideia School, a private school in Atlanta that her two sons attended.”

She married twice.

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Amy Carter married Jim Wentzel, September 1996.

Amy married James “Jim” Wentzel in September 1996; They divorced in 2005 and have one son, Hugo Wentzel (born 1999).

CORRECTION / US POLITICS FUNERAL ROSALYNN-CARTER

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Amy and her husband John Joseph “Jay” Kelly in 2023.

She remarried in 2007 to John Joseph “Jay” Kelly and they have one son, Errol (born 2010).

Her son Hugo was on the reality TV competition Claim to fame.

Man stands outside at night in front of a blooming backdrop.

ABC

Hugo was eliminated in the seventh episode.

Hugo took part in the second season of Claim to famea reality competition series featuring relatives of famous faces.

While Amy has yet to publicly comment on her father’s death, Hugo took to Instagram to pay tribute to him. “He was the most selfless person I’ve ever met in my life, and I’m not even kidding when I say probably one of the most selfless people in history. I am so, so grateful to be his grandson,” Hugo wrote.

He continued, “I wanted to highlight him as an incredible grandfather and someone who, despite all these AMAZING things, made time for his family.” When I was younger (and sick), he personally introduced me to fly fishing, hunting, Cooking and felling numerous Christmas trees. I remember in middle school he came with the entire Secret Service just to spend time with me. He took so much time to teach me life lessons (and generally take care of the family non-stop) while also doing the coolest things in history. He always told me to always believe in myself and to never stop working, ever. He was an incredible governor, president, business owner, and most importantly, a family man. I love you so much, dad. Thank you for everything. I will do everything I can to keep your legacy alive.”

Amy spoke at her mother’s funeral in November 2023.

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Amy at her mother Rosalynn’s funeral in November 2023.

“My mother spent most of her life loving my father,” she said. “Their partnership and love story was a defining feature of their lives. Since he is unable to speak to you today, I will share some of his words about how he loves and misses her.”

Then she read a letter that Jimmy wrote to Rosalynn while serving in the Navy: “My darling, every time I was away from you, I was thrilled to come back and discover how wonderful you are. While I’m gone, I try to convince myself that it really isn’t you, that you might not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you, I fall in love with you again. Does that seem strange to you? For me it isn’t. Goodbye, darling. See you in the morning. Jimmy.”

You can view her full eulogy here.

Preview of “The Life of President Jimmy Carter.”

Emily Burack (she/her) is the senior news editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals and a variety of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was deputy editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.

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Where is Amy Carter, Jimmy Carter’s daughter, now?