Rumours about Chip Gaines' first wife and what sparked the internet buzz?

Rumours about Chip Gaines' first wife sparked online after fans discovered old blog posts and social media discussions referencing a woman named Kelley, whom he dated seriously before meeting Joanna. While some speculated that Chip had been married before, these claims have been widely debunked. Kelley was never his wife, and Joanna is, in fact, his first and only spouse.

Key takeaways

• Chip Gaines is an American actor, producer, television personality, contractor, and author.
• Joanna Lee Stevens Gaine is an American interior decorator, television personality, and author.
• A rumour online suggested Chip Gaines had a first wife before marrying Joanna.
• Chip was previously in a relationship with a woman named Kelley, but they were never married.
• In his book Capital Gaines, Chip mentioned a former girlfriend he called "Amy," revealing he nearly married her before meeting Joanna.
• Chip and Joanna met in 2001 and got married in 2003. They currently live in Waco, Texas, and have five children.

Joanna Gaines' profile summary

Who is Chip Gaines' first wife?

Chip Gaines has only ever been married to Joanna Gaines. The couple met in 2001 in the waiting room of Joanna's father's auto shop in Waco, Texas. Interestingly, Joanna had initially noticed Chip's roommate, nicknamed "Hot John," but Chip made the move and asked her out, and she agreed.

After dating for about a year, Chip proposed creatively and heartfeltly. He told Joanna they were going to a concert a few hours from Waco, but instead, he took her to a shopping centre near his parents' hometown. There, he got down on one knee and proposed.

He then surprised her by taking her to design her engagement ring at a jewellery store owned by his dad's friend, Billy Holder. They tied the knot on 31 May 2003, at the historic Earle-Harrison House in Waco. Today, Chip and Joanna live in Waco, Texas, with their five children.

What sparked rumours about Chip Gaines' first wife?

The rumours about Chip Gaines' first wife gained traction when fans began speculating about his life before Joanna. The curiosity intensified when an old blog post vaguely hinted at a "serious relationship" he had in his twenties. Some readers interpreted it as a reference to a possible marriage, which the internet quickly labelled as his "first wife."

But has Chip Gaines been married before? Despite the flurry of comments on Reddit threads, blog forums, and gossip columns, Chip has never confirmed—or even suggested—that he was married before Joanna. Chip and Joanna have spoken in several interviews about their journey together, emphasising that they met young and grew together personally and professionally.

Chip Gaines' relationships before Joanna

While the Magnolia co-founder has never publicly disclosed many details about his past relationships, he once stated that he was in a relationship with a woman he was almost marrying. In an essay for Magnolia Journal, he referred to this former girlfriend as "Amy" and admitted that their relationship, which lasted over two years, was far from perfect. He said:

Amy put up with me despite my terrible approach to relationships. She and I dated for upward of two years.

He admitted being a poor partner, crediting Amy for tolerating his "terrible approach to relationships." Chip has also mentioned a previous relationship with a woman named Kelley, but that too ended before he met Joanna.

Chip Gaines' relationship with Joanna

Chip and Joanna have been together for over two decades. The couple has built an empire under the Magnolia brand, encompassing home renovation, retail, publishing, and television. Their hit HGTV show, Fixer Upper, rose them to fame, leading to the launch of the Magnolia Network.

They have also authored books, opened restaurants, and developed a line of home goods. Joanna credits Chip for encouraging her to pursue her dreams, stating,

If it were just up to me I would stay in a cubicle and file paper. But Chip has always pushed me to be the best me.

Despite their success, Chip and Joanna have been candid about the challenges in their marriage. Their first year was particularly tough, balancing a new business and starting a family. Chip recalled:

We pretty quickly had to say, 'We're either going to go at each other and blow this thing up... or we can figure out how to come together as a team

They have navigated the ups and downs together. As Chip expressed on their 20th anniversary:

You've given me the most beautiful life and I'm so grateful to God for you.

FAQs

1. Who is Chip Gaines? He is an American entrepreneur, television personality, author, and home renovation expert.
2. How old is Chip Gaines? The American actor is 50 years as of 2025. He was born on 14 November 1974 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
3. Who is Chip Gaines' wife? Chip Gaines is married to Joanna Gaines, an interior designer, television personality, and author. The couple met in 2001 and married in 2003.
4. Are Chip and Jo still together? Yes, Chip and Joanna Gaines are still together as of writing. They have been married for 22 years and continue collaborating on various business ventures.
5. When did Chip Gaines meet Joanna Stevens? The couple met in 2001 at her father's auto shop in Waco, Texas.
6. Has Chip Gaines been married before? No, Chip Gaines has never been married before Joanna Gaines. While he has been open about past relationships, none led to marriage.
7. How many children does Chip Gaines have? Chip Gaines and his wife, Joanna Gaines, have five children: Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie, and Crew.
8. What happened to Chip Gaines' first wife? Nothing has happened to the American actor's first wife, Joanna. The couple is still living together with their children.

Final thoughts

Chip Gaines' first wife is Joanna Gaines. The online rumours suggesting he had a previous wife are not true. While Chip has shared details about past relationships, none led to marriage. He and Joanna have been together for over two decades and share five children, continuing to grow their family and business legacy.

Tuko.co.ke published an article highlighting Kathryn Dennis' children, Kensington "Kenzie" Calhoun Ravenel and Julien Rembert Ravenel. The reality TV star shares her two kids with her ex-boyfriend and former Southern Charm co-star, Thomas Ravenel, also the son of former U.S. Representative Arthur Ravenel Jr.

Following their split in 2016, Kathryn and Thomas have been involved in a complicated custody battle. In October 2020, Thomas filed for sole custody of the children, requesting that Kathryn only be allowed supervised visits. Both parents have remained publicly involved in their children's lives despite their rocky past.

Source: TUKO.co.ke