Jimmy Carter Makes Rare Appearance Before His Birthday While In Hospice Care

Former President Jimmy Carter has been in hospice care for the past seven months after several short hospital stays. He battled several health challenges since beating cancer in 2015 and surviving multiple falls a few years later. The former first lady, Rosalynn, was also diagnosed with dementia this year, as announced by The Carter Center.

Jimmy was spotted out and about with Rosalynn last weekend at the Plains Peanut Festival in their Georgia hometown. Their appearance at the event got lots of attention, being Jimmy’s first time in public since he started receiving hospice care.

Jimmy turns 99 soon

Jimmy, who is turning 99 on October 1, is the oldest living president of the United States. The Carter Center quoted a tweet showing the video of Jimmy arriving at the festival venue in a black SUV and wishing him a happy birthday in advance. “Beautiful day for President & Mrs. Carter to enjoy a ride through the Plains Peanut Festival! And just a week before he turns 99. We’re betting peanut butter ice cream is on the menu for lunch! #JimmyCarter99,” they wrote.

RELATED: Jimmy And Rosalynn Carter ‘Coming To An End’ As They Battle Different Health Challenges

The Carter Center also launched a tribute ahead of his birthday, inviting fans and well-wishers to upload a video or photo celebrating him, which they will add to make a mosaic of him. The former president’s grandson, Jason, admitted it is a pleasant surprise Jimmy made it to 99 amidst his health issues. “We didn’t know, and we didn’t believe at the time, that we were going to get to this 99th birthday,” he said on GMA3.

The Carters are ‘still in love’

The couple enjoyed their time out together, celebrating Jimmy’s favorite— peanut butter. They were all smiles as they rode side by side in their wheelchairs at the event. Aside from being the longest-living president, Jimmy’s marriage to Rosalynn has also stood the test of time as the longest in American Presidential history.

The couple married in 1946 and are still in love even while battling health problems together. “They are together. They are at home. They’re in love, and I don’t think anyone gets more than that. I mean, it’s a perfect situation for this time in their lives,” their grandson, Jason, said in a recent interview.