The grandson of former president Jimmy Carter has shared a heartbreaking update on the 99-year-old.
Jimmy Carter is the oldest living former U.S. president and the longest-lived president in U.S. history, and has been in hospice care since February 2023.
His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, had also been in end-of-life care at their Georgia home until her death in November.
Now, his grandson Jason Carter has shared an update, telling the public he believes his grandfather is "coming to the end".
Speaking at the 28th Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, Jason told the crowd that he had recently visited the former commander-in-chief.
He said he and the former peanut farmer were watching an Atlanta Braves game on television when he asked told his grandfather: "People ask me how you’re doing, and I say, ‘I don’t know.’", adding: "And he said, ‘Well, I don’t know myself.'”
Jason, who is the chair of the board of trustees for the Carter Center, had been talking about the importance of the global charity's work on Tuesday, when the topic turned to his famed grandfather.
He confirmed that Jimmy appeared to be well but believes that the end of his journey may be near.
Jason explained: "My grandfather is doing OK. He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now.
"He really is, I think, coming to the end that, as I’ve said before, there’s a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and there’s a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end, and I think he has been there in that space."
Jason had also made a similar claim in November ahead of Rosalynn's funeral, adding at the time that Jimmy was "very, very physically diminished".
Rosalynn was buried on a plot visible from the front porch of the home the couple built in Plains before Jimmy's first political campaign in 1962, and the former president will be buried there with her when his time comes.
He is currently five months away from turning 100 years old, and has already survived metastatic brain and liver cancer.
Jimmy had made the two-hour 120 mile journey from his hospice care to say goodbye to Rosalynn at her funeral in November.
The former First Lady of the United States and mental health advocate had passed away aged 96, two days after she entered hospice care at her home in Plains, Georgia.
As reported by The Independent, Jimmy made the long journey to attend the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in person for the service.
It was announced earlier last year that Jimmy had entered hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, instead of receiving "additional" medical treatment after "a series of short hospital stays".
Due to the fact that Carter is no longer able to talk, the couple's daughter, 56-year-old Amy Carter, read a letter that her father had written for her mother 75 years ago while serving in the Navy.
"My darling every time I have ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are," the letter read. "While I'm away I tried to convince myself you could not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember.
"But when I see you, I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn't to me. Goodbye, darling. Until tomorrow, Jimmy."
Amy added during her eulogy: "My mom spent most of her life in love with my dad... Their partnership and love story was a defining feature of her life. Because he isn't able to speak to you today. I'm going to share some of his words about loving and missing."
Amy was seen holding her father's hand while other family members delivered their eulogies. These included Amy's brother, James, who said to those in attendance: "My mother, Rosalynn Carter was the most beautiful woman I've ever met. And pretty to look at too."
"She saved my life," he added - referencing his battles with substance abuse.
Jason also said: "My grandmother doesn't need a eulogy, her life was a sermon."
Following Rosalynn's death, The Carter Center released a statement paying tribute to his late wife.
"Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” he said. "She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."
