Magnolia Market/Facebook
Do you think you can work with your romantic partner? How about build a home improvement business empire? That’s exactly what Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s ‘Fixer Upper’ have done. Their home renovation show might be over but their careers are moving full steam ahead.
Read on to find out how Chip and Joanna got their millions and their current net worth!
Joanna Stevens Gaines was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1978 and raised in Texas. Her nationality is American but she gets a lot of questions from fans about her heritage. Joanna wrote on her blog that her father is half Lebanese, half German and her mom is full Korean. Her parents met in 1969 when her dad was stationed in Korea, according to an Instagram post.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
Joanna says that she was often bullied as a child for being half-Korean. Her family would travel a lot for her father’s job, so she’d go from school to school, meeting new kids and unfortunately getting bullied. Often she’d eat her lunch away from the cafeteria.
NEXT: Chip was also raised in Texas and attended Baylor University.
Chip Carter Gaines was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and moved to Colleyville, Texas with his family in 1982 when he was 8-years-old. Young Chip spent a lot of time at his grandfather’s North Texas ranch, says Us Weekly. A photo from his yearbook featured on Joanna’s Instagram says he was football captain.
Jared C. Tilton/GettyImages
Like Joanna, he also attended Baylor University. He got a marketing degree from the university’s Hankamer School of Business. His bio on Magnolia’s website says that “He was made for hard labor and always preferred digging ditches to academic pursuits.”
NEXT: Here’s where Joanna developed her eye for design.
She studied communication at Baylor University but decided to pursue design after interning in New York City boutiques. These shops were off the beaten path and became home for Joanna while living in the big city of New York, says Magnolia’s website. She was always thinking about a TV career, however.
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“I always dreamed of the idea of television but never thought it would have to do with design or renovations,” she told POPSUGAR. She aspired to be a newscaster at one point and starred in commercials for her father’s business as well as working the front desk, says INSIDER.
NEXT: Chip started many businesses before Magnolia and Fixer Upper.
He clearly has a knack for business regardless of whether he learned it in business school or out in the real world. “Chip has started more successful small businesses than you could count on both hands, including Green and Gold Wash and Fold, a local Waco laundry service geared toward college students, a fireworks stand and multiple landscaping companies,” his bio says.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
Country Living says that Chip started flipping houses on the side when he was studying Marketing at Baylor University’s business school. According to Dallas News, Gaines grew up with dreams of being a baseball star, but his plans changed when he didn’t make the cut for a college team.
NEXT: Chip and Joanna’s love story began in a tire shop.
Although Chip and Joanna both attended Baylor University in Texas, they didn’t meet there, says Texas Monthly. Instead, they met in 2001 after both graduated from university. Joanna was working at her father’s tire shop when Chip walked in looking to get his brakes fixed. Chip had seen a photo of her at the shop and had been visiting the store in hopes of meeting her.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
“I knew I’d marry her one day just by the picture on the wall,” he told POPSUGAR. He told her he recognized her from the commercials she was in. Their first date was eating chicken on a porch of a historic mansion. Chip was an hour and a half late and didn’t apologize for being late. (Chip insisted he was only 20 minutes late.)
NEXT: This is why Joanna won’t upgrade her engagement ring.
One day, Chip told Joanna they’d be going to a concert about four hours away from Waco, Texas. Instead, he drove her to a shopping center where his parents grew up. Chip got down on one knee and proposed, Joanna wrote in the couple’s book, The Magnolia Story. Super romantic, no?
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
In the shopping center, they visited a jewelry store and had an engagement ring designed. Although Joanna is wealthy now, she writes in The Magnolia Story that she doesn’t want to upgrade her ring to something fancier. “I don’t ever want to replace that diamond or that ring. To me, my ring is part of our story,” says Joanna. The pair married in 2003.
NEXT: This is when Joanna and Chip started flipping houses.
7. Joanna and Chip were flipping houses long before Fixer Upper
Chip had already started buying and flipping houses on the side for a while and Joanna joined in after the pair married. Texas Monthly says they’d live in the homes that they were renovating and flipping. Joanna learned the basics of decorating while on the job, making the home look inviting to buyers.
HGTV/Facebook
Their business in flipping houses led them to start the first iteration of Magnolia Market, a retail store. They bought a building on Bosque Boulevard in Waco, Texas and renovated it into Magnolia Market. They then told Texas Monthly that they had thoughts about leaving Waco but wanted to make an impact on the town.
NEXT: A blog post about Joanna and her home flipping business led to the Gaines’ big break.
8. How they started Fixer Upper on HGTV
Katie Neff was searching for a show to pitch to HGTV about home renovation. Neff, an executive at production company High Noon, found a blog post talking about Joanna’s life, kids and business flipping houses with husband, Chip. She decided that Joanna’s story was compelling and reached out to her, says Texas Monthly.
HGTV/Facebook
“I never thought of Waco as a place where amazing interior design and renovation would be happening,” Neff told Texas Monthly. Neff went to Waco to make a sizzle reel with the Gaines. She discovered that Waco was a perfect place to film a renovation show as there were so many abandoned houses!
NEXT: The Gaines are credited for revitalizing Waco, Texas.
9. Fixer Upper was slated for five seasons
For those into home renovation shows, Fixer Upper was probably your favorite show on the air. The premise is as such: Chip and Joanna present a family with three houses. The family picks one, Chip and co. demos it and rebuilds it according to Joanna’s vision. She then decorates it immaculately.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
The family then sees the newly renovated, remodeled and redecorated house and is usually flabbergasted. Fixer Upper first aired May 2013. It had 1.9 million viewers and was slated for five seasons. Fans couldn’t get enough of the pair’s show and gobbled up each episode of every season.
NEXT: The Gaines were particularly appealing to fans for these reasons.
That’s what general manager of HGTV and DIY networks Allison Page told Texas Monthly is the Gaines’ appeal to viewers. “They have the kind of marriage and family you’d want. It’s not perfect. He does silly things, and they occasionally trip over their words or sweat on each other,” Page told Texas Monthly.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
“They are the best of what’s real in life. It’s not a kind of fantasy — perfected, glossy, everything works every second. There’s an authenticity in their relationship and that comes through in the show.” The pair are also real-looking yet beautiful people.
NEXT: What do you think the Gaines’ net worth is?
With their TV show on HGTV, their 10 plus businesses and product lines, the Gaines have pushed their net worth into the millions. Most amazingly, they’ve done this in just a few years. A January 2019 article in Country Living reveals estimates of the successful couples’ net worth. What do you think it is?
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
E! News estimates the couples’ net worth at a whopping $5 million each. However, website CelebrityNetWorth.com estimates it at $9 million each. If things keep going consistently well for the home renovation pair, that number will continue to climb and climb.
NEXT: Some couples can barely handle one kid and a business. The Gaines have FIVE kids and MULTIPLE businesses.
Chip and Joanna Gaines are proud parents to five children: Drake, Duke, Ella, Emmie Kay, and the youngest, Crew. Crew was born late June 2018 — after Fixer Upper ended its long run on HGTV, says Country Living. Joanna told Country Living in April 2018 that her older children were excited for Crew’s arrival.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
“They were so excited, and I think that’s what makes me the most excited — that they’re celebrating with us,” Joanna told Country Living. Chip and Joanna named their other two sons names starting with “D.” They wanted to do the same for Crew but ended up breaking with tradition.
NEXT: We dish on why the couple decided to end Fixer Upper.
13. Chip and Joanna wanted to take a break from Fixer Upper
Chip and Joanna announced September 2017 on their blog that Fixer Upper would be having its last season ever. They wrote: “This has nothing to do with a fraudulent skincare line or anything else you’ll inevitably read. This is just us recognizing that we need to catch our breath for a moment.”
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
“Our plan is to take this time to shore up and strengthen the spots that are weak, rest the places that are tired and give lots of love and attention to both our family and our businesses.” Everyone needs a break — even Chip and Joanna.
NEXT: Ending Fixer Upper doesn’t mean that they’re putting all projects on pause.
14. Fixer Upper might be over but they’re just getting started
It might seem like the end of an era with Chip and Joanna gone from Fixer Upper but really, the home renovation gurus are just getting started. They already have multiple businesses and product lines, a magazine, retail facilities, a restaurant, vacation rentals and more. HGTV is running reruns of Fixer Upper constantly.
Jared C. Tilton/GettyImages
Fixer Upper crazed fans can rewatch the HGTV’s reruns or maybe find another show to become their favorite. Home renovation shows are all the rage now, possibly inspired in part due to Chip and Joanna’s crazy popularity and style influence. So dear Fixer Upper fans, do not cry! There’s so much to look forward to.
NEXT: They made this exciting announcement on Jimmy Fallon’s show.
Forget a TV show — this couple has moved on up to a TV network! In collaboration with Discovery, the Gaines will be launching a TV network. Not a lot is known yet. “Long story short, we learned a lot through the five-year process of being on Fixer Upper,” Chip told Fallon, according to Broadcasting Cable.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
“I think some of the things that really caused us the most problems, we have concluded I think we can figure this out so we’ve actually partnered with [Discovery CEO] David Zaslav and Discovery,” Chip said. They’ll be doing a lot of filming in Waco, Texas, so they won’t have to travel as much.
NEXT: A big part of Chip and Joanna’s careers includes doing remodels.
Fixer Upper may have ended but Chip and Joanna keep remodeling homes. TODAY featured a four bedroom called “The Preserve” located 12 miles away from Waco, Texas in China Spring. The 3,150 square foot home is decorated in the rustic, chic style Joanna Gaines is known for.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
The home has plenty of natural lighting and a light neutral color palette to match its airy essence. Its wood flooring throughout and wood accents give it a cozy and charming feel. The living room area is our favorite — it’s an open layout with a fireplace, bookcase, and ceiling supported by wood beams.
NEXT: Fans can follow all things Magnolia with this magazine.
This is a quarterly lifestyle magazine dedicated to themselves and their lifestyle. According to Magnolia’s website, the publication “promises fresh inspiration for your life and home in each new season.” Joanna writes on the website that her goal was to connect with readers from all walks of life and share valuable content.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
“I want you to be inspired, confident and empowered to try something new by simply picking up a copy and setting aside a quiet moment for yourself to read,” writes Joanna on Magnolia.com. “The Magnolia Journal is out now — pick up your first issue today!”
NEXT: Chip and Joanna worked with York, Kilz and more on these products.
Not everyone has Chip and Joanna’s eye for design but you can make your house look like you do. The couple has various houseware product lines you can decorate your house head to toe in. Choose from one of 150 different paint colors made in collaboration with Kilz to dose your walls in.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
More of a wallpaper person? Chip and Joanna have 70 different designs they made with York, says Texas Monthly. Once your walls are done up with wallpaper and paint you’re going to need furniture — which Chip and Joanna can provide, of course.
NEXT: Chip and Joanna closed this business to focus on family but then decided to reopen it in 2014.
“Chip and I run a few businesses here in Waco, Texas, but Magnolia Market holds a special place in my heart,” Joanna writes on Magnolia’s website. Magnolia Market looks like a special place — it’s a picturesque multi-use facility with shopping, games, gardens, and food. Silos loom above the facility, giving it a rustic, country-style look.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
Its country-style look fits perfectly as the market is located in the Gaines’ homebase of Waco, Texas. Magnolia Market went through a couple of iterations. First, the Gaines purchased their “Little Shop on Bosque” and opened the first Magnolia Market in 2003. They closed it to focus on family but reopened it in 2014.
NEXT: Chip and Joanna are published authors. What CAN’T they do?
Both Chip and Joanna have forayed into the world of book publishing. Joanna’s newest book is for the kids — We Are the Gardeners. TODAY says the home improvement maven had children in mind when she created it. Her own offspring helped with the book’s content. In it, the family recounts starting their garden.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
A number one best seller on Amazon currently, the book is available for sale on the e-commerce site for $15.99. Joanna worked with an illustrator named Julianna Swaney to create a whimsical story that’ll inspire any child and parent to start their own family garden.
NEXT: The Gaines’ restaurant is in a building that housed a former 100-year-old restaurant.
As of February 2018, Magnolia Table was officially open for business. Fans and locals alike can dine at the eatery at 2132 S. Valley Mills Drive in Waco, Texas. Its hours are Monday through Saturday, 6:00am to 3:00pm. Its menu seems affordably priced with breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings.
Magnolia Market/Facebook
If you don’t have time to sit down and dine, find Magnolia Table foods at the restaurant’s Take Away + Market. Magnolia Table is housed in a building that formerly housed The Elite Cafe — a cafe that’s been a part of Waco for 100 years.
NEXT: It’s easy for fans to get themselves Gaines products at this popular store.
Hearth & Hand is an affordably priced home and lifestyle brand Magnolia created with Target. The line carries decor for the home like bedding, faux greenery, bath accessories, kitchen and dining accessories, home office supplies, paint, hardware, wallpaper, gifts, and more. You can buy Hearth & Hand on Target’s website or in stores.
Magnolia Market/Facebook
Heath & Hand officially launched June 2018 with tons of products for every single room in your house, says House Beautiful. The publication says when the collection first came out, most of its products were for office spaces. Hearth & Hand expanded its offerings in August 2018.
NEXT: Here’s how you can stay in a Chip and Joanna creation.
Heading to Waco, Texas for some reason? You might be able to snag yourself a rental owned by Chip and Joanna themselves! Of course, they’re decorated in the immaculate, rustic-chic look the couple is known for. There are two properties you can choose from — the Magnolia House and the Hillcrest Estate.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
Booking the homes is pretty pricey. For Magnolia, it’s $1,390 a night and Hillcrest is $1,990. Both properties require a two-night stay, so expect to pay more than the prices listed. However, the properties do house a lot of visitors — Magnolia houses 8 and Hillcrest houses 12.
NEXT: The Gaines’ fan base is a dedicated one!
When Chip and Joanna made the announcement they’d be returning to TV, fans on Twitter went nuts expressing their excitement. Said Twitter user Sidonnie Potter: “My life is complete now that @chipgaines and @joannagaines announced they are returning back to TV!!!!!” Twitter user Nancy Turmell-Jones was even more excited: “WHAAAAAAT???!!! Get OUT!”
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
Chip sent out his own tweet expressing excitement: “What a whirlwind! nyc, jo’s book tour, Jimmy Fallon, soo much food! So whats the ‘day after’ look like for the gaines’? Early morning chores…Pretty much like every other day I guess..”
NEXT: Chip and Joanna’s careers are impressive but not perfect.
Not all of us can be perfect, some of us, even Joanna and Chip, make mistakes. In their case, they made a $40,000 mistake. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alleged the couple violated rules for handling lead paint during home renovations, reported the New York Times in June 2018.
HGTV/Facebook
The Gaineses agreed to: pay $40,000, make sure Magnolia Homes is in compliance with the EPA and inform audiences on Fixer Upper about dangers of lead paint. That’s not the only scandal that’s put the Gaineses in the spotlight — Chip’s former business partners sued him for fraud in 2017, says KWTX.
NEXT: Having a public facing career has put the couple at risk for scams and fraud.
In 2018, some consumers got messages via email and Facebook from a design and construction company that claimed it had been working with the Gaineses, says House Beautiful. We assume they were doing this strange marketing campaign in order to drum up business. It’s unbelieve the lengths that people will do to make a buck…
HGTV/Facebook
Magnolia Market released a statement about the scam on its Facebook page: “If you receive a message on Facebook or via email from someone either claiming to be or claiming to work for Chip and Joanna, we encourage you to simply not engage.”
NEXT: The pressures of social media are a real thing when you’re a public figure like Joanna and Chip Gaines.
Plenty of psychological studies have linked stress and depression to social media use. Joanna Gaines says social media users should step away when they feel the adverse effects. “It wasn’t so very long ago that I had only a handful of followers on Instagram,” she wrote in The Magnolia Journal, says TODAY.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
“There wasn’t any pressure to post anything at all, so whenever I did, it didn’t really cross my mind whether or not people would ‘like’ it.” We can imagine that the pressure is exacerbated being a public figure like Joanna and Chip.
NEXT: Chip had some strong words for this writer when they questioned his and Joanna’s parenting abilities.
It’s good for the press to be critical and doubtful and not just accept everything celebrities say or do. However, the Gaines didn’t like it when writer Daryl Austin, opinion contributor for USA Today, suggested their busy schedules got in the way of proper parenting. “Chip and Joanna Gaines did not get where they are by putting their family first,” Austin wrote.
Jonathan Ferrey/GettyImages
Chip tweeted this in response: “I don’t know Daryl, & he clearly doesn’t know me. But for the record: If there is ever a need w/ my family (1st), I’ll shut this circus down so fast it will make your head spin. BUT Jo & I believe, w/ God anything is possible. Including having an amazing family AND a career you love.”
NEXT: What Chip and Joanna have achieved is incredible.
“We believe that today is a gift and that every day miracles are scattered about if only we have eyes to see them,” reads the Magnolia Manifesto. With the success that Chip and Joanna Gaines have GAINED, they probably had to have had a positive outlook on life to achieve it all.
Joanna Gaines/Facebook
The Magnolia Manifesto is a good one to follow, especially if you’re an ambitious person looking to create a business empire like the Gaines. This husband and wife duo is a good example to follow whether you’re going into business yourself or with a partner.
NEXT: If you’re starting a company with your boo, this is what you should keep in mind.
Starting a business with your significant other can be really wonderful and successful or it can be draining and even detrimental to your relationship. Forbes says that some couples find the lack of work-life boundaries and long hours put stress on couples. In order to be successful, Forbes says, couples need to be committed to the business and relationship.
Magnolia Market/Facebook
Amy Douglas of Spark Coaching told Forbes that couples need to “Explore each other’s values, assumptions, strengths and needs. Document and agree to some clear operating norms…Clarify how you will make decisions, and talk about guiding principles for your business and how that relates to the future you see for both your business and your relationship.”