
Former President Jimmy Carter has received a posthumous Grammy Award, marking yet another honor in his remarkable legacy. The late president, who passed away in December at the age of 100, won in the category of Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording at the 2025 Grammy Awards for Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration. The audiobook features recordings from his final Sunday School lessons delivered at Maranatha Baptist Church in Georgia.
This Grammy win is Carter’s fourth, adding to his previous awards for spoken word albums. Had he won before his passing, he would have set the record as the oldest Grammy Award winner in history. The current record remains with blues musician Pinetop Perkins, who won at age 97 in 2011.
Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, accepted the award on his behalf, offering heartfelt words about his grandfather’s enduring influence. “Having his words captured in this way for my family and for the world is truly remarkable,” Jason said in his acceptance speech. “Thank you to the academy.”
Last Sundays in Plains was a star-studded production featuring contributions from musicians Darius Rucker, LeAnn Rimes, and Jon Batiste. The album triumphed over strong competition, including Barbra Streisand, George Clinton, Dolly Parton, and producer Guy Oldfield. Notably, had Streisand won, it would have been her first Grammy in 38 years.
Beyond his political achievements, Jimmy Carter was a lifelong supporter of music and the arts. His grandson emphasized how deeply music shaped Carter’s personal and public life. “He’s such an enormous music fan,” Jason Carter shared backstage. “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.”
Carter joins an elite group of U.S. presidents recognized at the Grammys. Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have each won two Grammy Awards, while First Ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton have also claimed wins. Other past presidents, including Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon, received nominations but never secured a victory.
This latest Grammy win serves as a fitting tribute to Carter’s enduring faith and commitment to sharing the Gospel. His Sunday School teachings, now preserved in an award-winning audiobook, will continue to inspire listeners for generations to come. His legacy of service, faith, and devotion to both his country and God remains an indelible part of American history.