Magda Sakowska, Polsat News correspondent in the USA: What kind of uncle was President Carter?
Kim Fuller: – Very good and caring. When I was a child, he was just an ordinary uncle to me. But as I got older, I realized that he was THE uncle, the important uncle. Considering how much he did for the world, I feel like I was very lucky to have him around when I was growing up. He was strict, but we knew he cared about us and loved us.
And what kind of brother was he to your father?
– My father was an alcoholic who stopped drinking only towards the end of his life. Uncle Jimmy always supported him and never turned his back on him. I remember that when my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, my uncle was on an important business trip. When he found out about it, he immediately called the hospital. I then told him that the doctors did not have good news, that there was no help, there was no hope. I also added that we should take my father home and take care of him. Uncle Jimmy said he'd try to come as soon as possible. He dropped everything and came to his dying brother. That's the kind of brother Uncle Jimmy was, he loved my father very much.
Jimmy Carter's two sisters and his father also died of pancreatic cancer. (editor's note)
How much did his victory in the presidential election change the lives of your entire family?
– We were constantly under media attention and it was quite funny, although sometimes the situation became too chaotic. His presidency meant change not only for the family, but also for our entire town (Plains, Georgia, President Carter's hometown – editor's note). Suddenly we were all thrown into a world we had never known before. We got used to the fact that he was a politician, because before he became president of the United States, he was a state senator and governor of Georgia. However, with the presidency came a level of interest that we had never experienced before.
So how has life changed in the Plains?
– We, the people of Plains, were extremely proud that the president came from our community. We have always meant a lot to the presidential couple, as evidenced by the fact that they always returned to Plains. This was their real home. After Uncle Jimmy lost to Ronald Reagan re-election fight and came back to us in Plains, the whole town was filled with people waiting for him. It was a great gesture from the residents. It was very moving for the presidential couple, but also for us, for his family.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years. What was the secret of such a long and successful relationship?
– I remember my grandmother once saying about them: “I don't think they ever go to bed mad at each other.”
– Indeed, when they quarreled during the day, they never left it. They always resolved their dispute before sunset. They prayed together and read the Bible together. My uncle respected Aunt Rosalynn very much for who she was and what she was like. In those times, women did not always have the opportunity to fulfill themselves, do what they wanted, be who they wanted to be. And Uncle Jimmy didn't limit Auntie. She was who she wanted to be. She discovered the world. He never told her to stay home.
– Come with me, because it's always better when we are together – he said to his wife. She had her own affairs, he had his. They complemented each other. And I think that was the strength of their very long marriage.
When Jimmy Carter returned to Plains for good, he became involved in the life of one of the churches. He taught Sunday school for many years. Crowds came to these lessons. People came from all over the world. Why did they want to listen to Jimmy Carter?
– He talked about things he knew. He talked in an interesting way about places he had once been. This was his uniqueness. He was able to tell us about the atmosphere of an important event, drawing from his own experience. He was always very honest in what he talked about during Sunday school. He also wanted people to feel good here. He created a wonderful atmosphere, for example by greeting everyone who entered at the church door. It was amazing that the former US president himself did it. Of course, let's face it, people also came just to see him.
What is your best memory of Uncle Jimmy, something you will never forget?
– When my uncle was governor, I was a child. On Easter, when there was a break at school or during winter break, my mother would put us on a bus and send us to Atlanta (Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia, where the governor resides – editor's note). The police picked us up from the bus and took us to our uncle. So we spent our days off from school at the governor's mansion. He took us on walks, even to the state Capitol, where we ran like crazy along its corridors and stairs. For us children from a small town it was extraordinary. Thanks to him, we had fun that other children could only dream of.
– My favorite memories also include memories from holidays Christmas. We always spent it at grandma's house. My dad and uncle would always race to see who would get to the presents first. Those memories of when we were all together as a family are very important to me. We were happy then.
How would you like the world to remember your uncle?
– I would like the world to remember my uncle as a man who not only said what he would do, but did it. He not only said he wanted peace in the world, but also worked for it. He was a leader who loved people and who knew how to show it.
For Interia, Magda Sakowska, Polsat News correspondent in the United States.