Amy Carter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amy Carter
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Carter in 2023
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Amy Lynn Carter
October 19, 1967 Plains, Georgia, U.S.
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| Children | 2 |
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| Relatives | Jack Carter (brother) James Earl "Chip" Carter III (brother) Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter (brother) Jason Carter (nephew) James Earl Carter Sr. (paternal grandfather) Bessie Lillian Gordy (paternal grandmother) |
Amy Lynn Carter (born October 19, 1967) is the only daughter of Jimmy Carter, who was the 39th President of the United States. Her mother is Rosalynn Carter. Amy became famous as a child when she lived in the White House during her father's time as president.
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Growing Up
Amy Carter was born on October 19, 1967, in Plains, Georgia. Before she was born, her family even voted on whether her parents should have a baby girl! They even picked out her name from a dictionary.
When her father became the governor of Georgia in 1970, her family moved to the Governor's Mansion in Atlanta. In 1976, when Amy was nine years old, her father was elected President. This meant her family moved to the famous White House in Washington, D.C.
School Days
While living in the White House, Amy went to public schools in Washington. She attended Stevens Elementary School and later Rose Hardy Middle School.
After her father's presidency ended, Amy moved back to Atlanta. She finished high school at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. She also worked as a Senate page during the summer of 1982.
Amy later went to Brown University. She was known for speaking out against unfair rules and actions by the government. She earned a degree in fine arts from the Memphis College of Art. She also got a master's degree in art history from Tulane University in 1996.
Life in the White House
In January 1977, at nine years old, Amy Carter moved into the White House. She lived there for four years and got a lot of attention from the media. It had been a while since young children lived in the White House.
White House Pets and Fun
While Amy lived there, she had a Siamese cat named Misty Malarky Ying Yang. This was the last cat to live in the White House until Socks, owned by President Clinton. Amy also received an elephant from Sri Lanka! The elephant was given to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Amy found fun ways to enjoy her home. She would roller-skate through the White House's East Room. She even had a treehouse on the South Lawn! When she had sleepovers with friends in her treehouse, Secret Service agents would watch from the ground to keep everyone safe.
A Nanny and a Public Moment
Mary Prince was Amy's nanny for many years. She started working for the family through a prison release program in Georgia.
President Carter once mentioned Amy during a debate in 1980. He said he asked her what the most important issue was for that election. Amy replied, "the control of nuclear arms".
During a fancy dinner at the White House in 1977, nine-year-old Amy was seen reading two books. She was reading Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator and The Story of the Gettysburg Address while her father and Canada's Prime Minister were giving speeches.
Standing Up for What's Right
Amy Carter became known for her political activism. She took part in peaceful protests in the 1980s and early 1990s. These protests aimed to change U.S. foreign policy regarding apartheid in South Africa and issues in Central America.
In 1986, while she was a student, Amy was arrested with others during a protest. They were protesting the CIA recruiting on campus. She was found not guilty in a well-known trial. Her lawyer argued that their actions were necessary because the CIA was involved in activities that were seen as wrong.
Other Activities
Amy Carter appeared on Late Night with David Letterman in 1982. She also drew the pictures for her father's children's book, The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer, which was published in 1995.
She is a member of the board of counselors for the Carter Center. This organization was started by her father. It works to protect human rights and promote peaceful talks between countries.
Personal Life
In 1996, Amy Carter married James Gregory Wentzel. They met while she was attending Tulane University. They have a son named Hugo James Wentzel. Hugo was featured on a TV show called Claim to Fame in 2023. Amy and James later divorced. In 2007, Amy married John Joseph "Jay" Kelly, and they also have a child together.
Since the late 1990s, Amy Carter has mostly stayed out of the public eye. She rarely gives interviews.
See also
Images for kids
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Carter in 2023
