Jimmy Carter’s Grandson Gives Update on “Really Sick” Former President

A Claim to Fame contestant is giving insight into former U.S. president Jimmy Carter‘s health.

After competitor Hugo Wentzel was eliminated from the ABC series and revealed he’s Carter’s grandson, he discussed whether he’s been able to visit the 39th commander-in-chief since filming the show.

“It’s been harder and harder to see him,” the 24-year-old, whose mother is Carter’s daughter Amy, told Entertainment Weekly in an interview published Aug. 8. “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.” 

Wentzel also shared how the 98-year-old politician has been doing since his organization, The Carter Center, announced in February that he’s receiving hospice care at home.

“He’s pretty sick,” he noted to the outlet. “He still does use his brain. He listens to audiobooks. He’s a genius. He’s super smart. I love him. He always wants to be doing something with his mind, so he’s trying to keep himself busy, but he is really sick and getting older.”