Amy Carter, the only daughter of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, has had a life full of political activism, creativity, and keeping things low-key in recent years. Born on October 19, 1967, in Plains, Georgia, Amy stepped into the spotlight as a kid when her dad became the 39th President of the United States.
At just nine years old, she moved into the White House, making her one of the youngest presidential kids since the Kennedy era. From roller-skating through the East Wing to hanging out with her three older brothers, Amy’s childhood was a mix of carefree fun and living under the political spotlight.
Amy Carter Tied the Knot Twice—Who Are Her Husbands and Kids?
Amy Carter married her first husband, James Wentzel, in 1996, and they had a son, Hugo, in 1999. They divorced in 2005, and she remarried and embraced her second spouse, John Joseph “Jay” Kelly in 2007. Together, they welcomed a son, Errol Carter Kelly, born in 2010. Jay Kelly recently faced mobility challenges following Rosalynn Carter’s funeral in 2023.
Amy’s teen and early adult years were a big turning point for her public image. After moving out of the White House at 13, she became a passionate political activist and grabbed national attention in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. While at Brown University, she protested U.S. policies on apartheid in South Africa and issues in Central America. In 1986, she was even arrested during a demonstration against CIA recruitment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her trial made headlines, but she was ultimately acquitted.
Despite her activism, Amy Carter had a difficult time academically and left Brown in 1987 after struggling with her classes. She eventually bounced back, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Memphis College of Art in 1991 and a master’s in art history from Tulane University in 1996.
In her personal life, Amy tied the knot with James Wentzel in 1996 in a simple ceremony by a pond her grandmother used to visit. They had a son, Hugo James Wentzel, in 1999, but the marriage ended in 2005. A couple of years later, in 2007, Amy married John Joseph “Jay” Kelly, and they welcomed their son, Errol Carter Kelly, in 2010. Amy mostly keeps her personal life low-key, but her sons occasionally make headlines—especially Hugo, who was on the reality show ‘Claim to Fame’ in 2023. Hugo has shared touching tributes to his grandfather, Jimmy Carter, sharing the huge impact the former president had on his life.
Amy’s second husband, Jay Kelly, has been spotted in a wheelchair recently, which has got people talking. The family hasn’t shared much about what’s going on, but it seems Jay’s mobility issues started after Rosalynn Carter’s funeral in November 2023. It’s definitely added a new layer to Amy’s family life as they figure things out together.
Amy Carter: A Quiet Legacy of Activism and Family
Despite her earlier activism, Amy Carter has spent most of her adult life away from the public eye. She’s been living in the Atlanta area in a four-bedroom home worth over $800,000, according to public records. Over the years, she’s taught art at the Paideia School, a private school her kids attended, and illustrated The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer, a children’s book she co-wrote with her father in 1995. The book was based on a story her dad, Jimmy Carter, used to tell her when she was little, showing the creative connection they shared.
The Carter family has always focused on staying humble and serving others. Amy’s parents, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, showed this by going back to a simple life in Plains, Georgia, after the presidency. Their example has significantly impacted Amy’s life and values. As part of The Carter Center’s board of counselors, Amy has been involved in human rights and diplomacy efforts, though she’s kept a low profile in recent years.
Amy Carter, Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter’s daughter, shared an emotional love letter Jimmy wrote to Rosalynn 75 years ago while away in the Navy. pic.twitter.com/UKTd5ZzFIT
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 28, 2023
Rosalynn Carter passed away in November 2023, and Jimmy Carter followed in December 2024, bringing Amy back into the public eye. At her mother’s funeral, Amy gave a heartfelt eulogy, sharing a love letter her dad had written to Rosalynn back in his Navy days. Then, at her father’s state funeral in January 2025, she joined her family to honor him as his casket rested in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. These moments have shown her dedication to honoring her parents’ legacies while still keeping her low-key lifestyle.
Amy Carter’s journey from being a roller-skating kid in the White House to living a private life as an adult shows how tricky life in the spotlight can be. Over the years, she’s focused on activism, education, and family, guided by the values her parents taught her. Now 57, Amy juggles family life with staying committed to the causes her family has always cared about, all while keeping things mostly out of the public gaze.
