I Always Knew Jimmy Carter Lived Modestly

By John Kuykendall

Let me say that I got to speak with former President Jimmy Carter once in a while because during his administration I was the Editor of one of the newspapers he read religiously. While I never really considered him to be a great President, I always believed he was a good steward of money and something I read recently proved that I was correct.
I’ve also always believed that Dolly Parton is just a good old Southern girl and fame and fortune never changed her. Well, by comparison, she is pretty frugal herself.
I was reading some news on the Internet when a headline caught my eye. The headline read, “Celebrity Houses That Will Leave You Speechless.” Believe me, it did.
Of course the information was not about what the homes cost but how luxurious they were. However, some of the price tags were reported and it was kind of amazing.
Kamala Harris had a 33 bedroom home in Washington with all the amenities anyone could desire. While the cost was not given, one can imagine it was way out of the common man’s budget.
Former President Barack Obama has a home that sits on 30 acres with a price tag of $11.5 million but still a modest price compared to some of the homes.
The Clintons have two homes and Hillary’s carries a price tag of $2.85 million. The price of Bill’s was not given.
Sarah Palin’s crib cost a lonely $2.27 million and, according what I read, she has $8 million dollars worth of real estate in Arizona.
Enough about political figures, now let’s look at other celebrities.
Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson’s home cost a measly $2.9 million.
Actor Kelly Pipa only spent $27 million.
Jane Fonda only spent $5.45 million.
Kaley Cuoco, one of the stars of “The Big Bang Theory,” spend $12 million.
Eddie Murphy spent a cool $20 million.
Whoopi Goldberg only spent $2.8 million.
One of my favorite actors, Will Smith, only spent $42 million on his dream home.
Now for some of the athletes.
Troy Aikman spend $4.25 million on his home.
Tiger Woods spent a mere $55 million.
Now how about the musical entertainers?
Diana Ross spent $14.4 million on her home.
Alan Jackson was somewhat conservative and spent $19 million for his home and other real estate.
The list could go on and on but I believe you are beginning to get the picture. If you have money, you can spend it on things you don’t need, like a 33 bedroom home. The entire first fleet could sleep there.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not picking on them for what they spend, it’s their money and they can spend it any way they like. They earned every penny. I just want to point out how conservative some people who have money are.
Luxury is affordable for ex-presidents, entertainers and athletes because they do make millions of dollars. But it is also important to point out when people who have that kind of money don’t let it change who they are or the lifestyle they live.
Former President Carter’s home is worth $167,000. He moved into his home in Plains in 1961 and remained there until his death.
Dolly Parton, a musical legend and owner of Dolly Wood and more, lives in a $400,000 home.
You would think she would live in a super luxurious home but no, she remains down to earth and her home reflects he personality.
There are those people out there who refuse to let money or fame change them. Like UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton who still drives a 1984 Ford F-150 that was given to him by his grandfather.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Carter, Parton and Stockton are symbols of Emerson’s quote.