At the 2025 Grammy Awards, the late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was posthumously awarded his fourth Grammy for his audiobook, Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration. The award, in the category of Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording, recognized Carter’s enduring contributions to both politics and the arts.
Carter, who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 100, recorded the audiobook just months before his death. Released in August 2024, the project captures his final Sunday school lessons delivered at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. The deeply personal work reflects on themes such as love, forgiveness, kindness, and the afterlife, offering profound insights into Carter’s life and beliefs.
The audiobook also features musical contributions from renowned artists, including Darius Rucker, Jon Batiste, and LeAnn Rimes, which add an emotional and melodic depth to Carter’s words. The Grammy win serves as a touching tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on both public service and storytelling.
Jason Carter Accepts on Behalf of His Grandfather
Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson and current chair of The Carter Center’s governing board, accepted the award on his behalf at the pre-gala ceremony. Jason spoke emotionally about the lasting impact of his grandfather’s words, saying, “Having his words captured in this way for my family and for the world is truly remarkable.” He also thanked those who had contributed to the project, particularly Kabir Sehgal, who provided instrumental arrangements, and the musicians who helped bring Carter’s final lessons to life.
“Thank you to the folks at the Carter Center, we really appreciate all of you very, very much,” Jason added, acknowledging the importance of the center’s continued work and the outpouring of support from around the world following his grandfather’s death.
Carter’s Previous Grammy Wins and Legacy
Jimmy Carter’s legacy as a storyteller is well established. In addition to this latest win, Carter previously won three Grammys for his spoken word albums, including Faith: A Journey for All (2019), A Full Life: Reflections at 90 (2016), and Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis (2007). Carter, who served as US president from 1977 to 1981, taught Sunday school at Maranatha for over five decades. His devotion to the church and its congregation was a cornerstone of his personal life, as he often used his Sunday lessons to connect faith with everyday challenges.
The Grammy win places Carter among a select group of individuals with multiple awards in this category. In fact, with four Grammy wins, Carter surpasses Maya Angelou’s record in the audiobook category. Carter’s posthumous victory also highlights his longstanding influence on both American politics and culture.
Other nominees in this category included legendary figures such as Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, and George Clinton, all of whom had worked on notable audiobook projects. Despite the stiff competition, Carter’s heartfelt lessons won over the Grammy voters. If he had won before his passing, he would have become the oldest Grammy winner in history, surpassing the previous record held by Pinetop Perkins, who was 97 when he won in 2011.
Jimmy Carter’s Passion for Music
In his acceptance speech, Jason Carter reflected on his grandfather’s passion for music, noting, “He’s such an enormous music fan. He loves the creative aspect of music. It’s been an important part of his political life, an important part of his personal life. He’s an artist in many ways.”
While Carter’s passing marked the end of a remarkable life, his legacy continues to shine through his contributions to music, storytelling, and his service to humanity.
[economictimes]