LATEST NEWS: Jimmy Carter celebrates his 99th birthday by attending the annual Peanut Festival in Georgia’s hometown with his wife Rosalynn SEVEN MONTHS after entering hospice care
- Carter entered hospice care in February
- Seven months into the health crisis, he attended a peanut festival in Georgia
- At 98 years old, he is the longest-living president in American history
Former President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 99th birthday by making his first public appearance since entering hospice care seven months ago.
Carter, 98, was greeted with loud applause Saturday as he headed to the Plains Peanut Festival in Georgia, where he was driven down the flag-lined street with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in a black SUV.
The longest-living president in American history entered hospice care in February, announcing that he had “decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care” rather than be hospitalized.
Three months later it was announced that Rosalynn, 96, has dementia.
While many feared for the former peanut farmer and philanthropist as he entered the final chapter of his life, his presence at the festival on Saturday was warmly received.
Carter was spotted with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter on Saturday as he celebrated his 99th birthday at the Plains Peanut Festival in Georgia
The 98-year-old had not been seen in public since announcing he would enter hospice care in February.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill visited Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at their home in Plains, Georgia in May 2021 – where the Carters have decided to spend the final chapter of their lives
Footage of Carter being driven through the festival was posted to X – formerly Twitter – quickly drawing warm responses from supporters of the aging president.
“This is great,” said one. ‘God bless.’
Carter’s decision to enter hospice care came after a series of short hospital stays, but he said he decided to avoid further hospitalization and spend the rest of his life in the same modest one-story home in Plains, Georgia, where they lived when he was first elected to the Senate in 1962.
Last month, Carter’s grandson Josh said People that he is at peace with hospice care and says the once “entertainers” now live peaceful and tranquil lives.
While concerns remain for the former president as he begins the final chapter of his life, Josh Carter added that “there’s always someone at home” to keep his grandparents company, more often than not, a of their children.
Carter with his wife Rosalynn and their daughter Amy at the Baptist church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia in 1976. Last year, Carter said he could not have managed to become president at the age of 80, which seemed similar to Joe Biden’s age and Donald Trump. prior to the elections
When he announced he would be entering hospice care, Carter said he “decided to spend the remaining time at home with his family” in lieu of additional medical intervention.
He said that although Jimmy and Rosalynn are not as active as they used to be, they are still aware of what is happening around them and “fully understand” the well wishes and love they have received.
As for Rosalynn, Josh explained that she is aware of her dementia diagnosis, but “for the most part, still knows who we are, that we are family,” he explained.
“My grandmother can still form new memories,” he added.
In a separate interview in March, Josh admitted that Carter’s relatives feared they would lose him but were amazed at his recovery.
‘We thought that when he went to hospice, the end was very close. Now I’m going to tell you that he will be 99 in October,” he said.