You probably remember the image of a little girl with glasses reading a book at a state dinner. That was Amy Carter. She was the "First Kid" of the late 1970s, a nine-year-old living in the White House with a Siamese cat and a treehouse. But since her father, Jimmy Carter, left office, Amy has basically become a ghost in the world of celebrity news.
One of the few things that ever brings her back into the headlines is her personal life. Specifically, people are constantly searching for details on John Joseph Kelly married to Amy Carter. Is he her husband? Did she divorce the first guy? Where do they live? There is a lot of outdated information floating around out there, so let's set the record straight on who "Jay" Kelly actually is and how he fits into the Carter family tree.
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Setting the Record Straight: Who is Jay Kelly?
First things first: Amy Carter’s husband is indeed John Joseph Kelly, though most people—and the news cameras—call him "Jay."
A lot of the confusion online stems from Amy’s first marriage. Back in 1996, she married a computer consultant named James Gregory Wentzel. They had a son together, Hugo James Wentzel (who recently popped up on the reality show Claim to Fame, by the way). However, Amy and James divorced around 2005.
She didn't stay single forever. In 2007, Amy married Jay Kelly. They’ve been together for nearly two decades now, which is basically an eternity in "celebrity" years, especially for someone who values her privacy as much as Amy does. Honestly, the couple is so private that you rarely see them unless it’s a major family event, like the recent funerals for Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter.
Life Away from the Cameras
Amy and Jay Kelly don't do the red carpet thing. They don’t have public Instagram accounts where they post their brunch photos. Instead, they’ve carved out a quiet life in the Atlanta area.
Jay Kelly isn't a politician or a movie star. He’s a private citizen who stepped into one of the most famous families in American history. While Amy's first husband was a computer consultant, she and Jay have kept his professional life almost entirely under wraps. We do know they have a son together, Errol Carter Kelly, born a few years into their marriage.
- Marriage Date: 2007
- Children: One son (Errol), plus Amy's son from her first marriage (Hugo)
- Home Base: Atlanta, Georgia
Why the World is Still Obsessed with Amy's Marriage
It’s kinda funny how much people care about the romantic life of a former First Daughter who hasn't lived in the White House for over 45 years. But Amy was different. She was a rebel. She was arrested at protests in the 80s. She was the "alternative" First Daughter.
When John Joseph Kelly married Amy Carter, it felt like the final chapter in her transition from a public figure to a private citizen. By choosing a partner who stays out of the limelight, Amy sent a clear message: she’s done with the "First Daughter" persona. She’s just a mom, an artist, and a wife living in Georgia.
Recent Public Appearances
If you’ve seen Jay Kelly recently, it was likely during the solemn ceremonies for the late President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. In late 2023 and early 2025, cameras caught glimpses of the family. Jay was seen right by Amy’s side, supporting her during the loss of both of her parents.
These moments were rare. Usually, if you see a "Jay Kelly" in the news, it’s a different guy entirely. But for those watching the Carter family closely, John Joseph Kelly is a steady, quiet presence who has been part of the family’s inner circle for a long time.
Navigating the Misinformation
One thing you've gotta watch out for is old articles that still list James Wentzel as her current husband. Because Amy doesn't do "exclusive interviews" with People magazine every time she changes her hair, the internet is slow to update. Some sites even mix up Jay Kelly with other famous Kellys.
To be clear:
- Amy Carter is currently married to John Joseph "Jay" Kelly.
- They married in 2007.
- They have a son named Errol.
- They are still together as of 2026.
What This Means for the Carter Legacy
The Carters were always about "plain talk" and humility. Amy’s marriage to Jay Kelly fits that brand perfectly. They aren't trying to monetize their last name. They aren't influencers.
If you're looking for scandalous details or messy public breakups, you won't find them here. Their relationship seems to be built on the same kind of long-term stability that Jimmy and Rosalynn famously shared for over 77 years. It’s a quiet, Southern life focused on family and art.
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To stay truly updated on the Carter family, look toward the work of the Carter Center. While Amy and Jay don't run the day-to-day operations, the family remains deeply involved in the center's humanitarian missions. Supporting these causes is the best way to honor the legacy that Amy and her husband continue to protect through their privacy.
Check out the official archives at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library if you want to see the history of the family before they retreated from the public eye. You won't find Jay Kelly in the 1970s files, but you'll see the foundation of the life Amy eventually chose to share with him.