Jimmy Carter's Grandson Says Former President Is 'Really Sick'

Jimmy Carter's grandson, Hugo Wentzel, is opening up about the declining health of his grandparents.

After the young man's identity was recently revealed upon his elimination from ABC's Claim to Fame, he sat down with Entertainment Weekly to offer an update on the "really sick" former president and his wife.

Despite being "pretty sick," the 24-year-old said that Carter "always wants to be doing something with his mind, so he's trying to keep himself busy..."

"He still does use his brain. He listens to audiobooks. He's a genius. He's super smart," he elaborated.

Wentzel, Amy Carter's son, also offered some insight into his grandmother Rosalynn Carter's health following her dementia diagnosis earlier this year.

"I just want to say that she's an amazing woman. She's put in so much work in her life. She's done things for mental health. I want everyone to know how incredibly important and beautiful she is as a person and a grandma," he said. "Yeah, she does have dementia and when I see her, she does forget what's going on sometimes, but when she remembers it's amazing. I love her."

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These days it's difficult for him to visit, but he does his best. "It's been harder and harder to see him. My mom spends a lot of her time with him. She spends almost half her time taking care of him at this point just because of things like COVID regulations. So it's really family oriented. I haven't been seeing him as much recently, but he knows that I love him and we're supporting him through this time."

Prior to exiting the set, Wentzel shared that he had "an amazing grandpa" with the rest of the contestants, praising the work Carter has done throughout his life. "I love him so much. I call him Papa. He led America and my family very well. I stand for everything he stands for. He believes in equality for everyone regardless of race, class, gender, anything. He's an amazing person. I aspire to be like him one day."

He also spoke directly to his grandfather, saying, "I love you so much, Papa. You're amazing, and I will do everything I can to keep your legacy alive."

The 98-year-old entered at-home hospice care at the beginning of the year, choosing to end his rotation in and out of the hospital and remain at home with his family for whatever time he has left.

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