Hugo Wentzel, Jimmy Carter's bodybuilder grandson, shares what brought him the most joy in his final days

PLAINS, GEORGIA: To the world, Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian. But to his grandson Hugo Wentzel, Carter was simply “Paw-Paw.”

The former president passed away peacefully at 100 years old at his home in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, leaving behind a legacy that touched millions—and a family that adored him.

In a candid interview with the Daily Mail, 25-year-old Hugo opened up about Carter’s final days, their special bond and the life lessons his grandfather instilled in him.

Saying goodbye to 'Paw Paw' Jimmy Carter

Hugo Wentzel revealed that in Jimmy Carter’s final moments, he could no longer move or speak. Yet, his spirit remained unbroken even as his physical strength waned. “He was happy with what he got to accomplish, the people he could help in his life," Hugo said.

Although losing his grandfather was deeply saddening, Hugo found solace in Carter’s peace with his own mortality. “He really, really believes he’s going to heaven, he’s gonna be [in] a better place. That really comforts me too,” Hugo shared.

Hugo — son of Carter’s daughter Amy — learned about his grandfather’s passing through a phone call from his mom, who was at Carter’s side in Plains. Their last visit had been just before Carter’s milestone 100th birthday.

During their final talk, Hugo and Carter spoke of what fueled the former president’s incredible journey.

"He's the best person for life advice I think anyone could ever ask for, so it was amazing," Wentzel said.  "First thing for him is he was super religious, so that is always his main driver, and he'll tell anyone that ever talks about that, it's just his faith drives him."

Another lesson Hugo carried from that conversation was Carter’s relentless determination to finish what he started. “He never stopped working on anything. He never gave up on any project,” Hugo reflected. “If he started doing something, he would finish it, no matter what happened to him.”

Growing up as the grandson of a former president meant Hugo’s childhood was anything but ordinary. He recalled adventurous family trips to places like Nicaragua and Turkey, where they once stayed in a hotel with “golden toilets.” 

On one trip, Carter casually mentioned they were supposed to meet Nelson Mandela—a detail young Hugo didn’t fully grasp at the time. Hugo revealed that during another adventure, he became the youngest person ever to open the Panama Canal.

Hugo Wentzel believes Jimmy Carter's death could foster unity

Despite political hostilities over the years, Hugo Wentzel believes Jimmy Carter’s passing is a call for unity.

“I think that right now while the country is going so crazy and everyone is so divided, I think him passing away is just an important reminder that everyone needs to come together and love everyone no matter what’s going on all the time,” Hugo said.

Carter’s funeral plans include a small private service for family and the close-knit Plains community before a larger state funeral in Washington, DC, on January 9. Hugo hopes the event will showcase the bipartisan love and respect Carter garnered throughout his life.

“I think he would love to see how many people really love and care about him from every walk of life,” he said, adding that he envisions figures like President-elect Donald Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden coming together to honor his grandfather.

While many remember Carter as a former president, Hugo noted that his grandfather’s legacy was also deeply personal.

“A lot of people know him as a president, but I think something really important to him, and what he wanted as part of his legacy to be, was that he was someone who cared for people close to him a lot, nonstop, no matter what was happening,” Hugo explained.

Inspired by his "paw paw," Hugo hopes to carry forward that legacy of compassion and positive impact. He’s launching a fitness clothing line All You, which will donate proceeds to help disabled children get fit. A bodybuilder with a passion for fitness, Hugo is determined to make a difference in his own way.

And who knows? Hugo hinted there could be another Carter in politics—someday.