Introduction
Julie Chrisley first husband is best recognized today as the matriarch of the reality TV empire Chrisley Knows Best. She is admired for her calm presence, humor, and resilience in the face of scandals. Yet, what many fans don’t realize is that Julie Chrisley’s first husband came long before Todd Chrisley entered her life.
That husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress, her high school sweetheart, a man from small-town America whose life path was vastly different from the glamorous world Julie would later step into. Their story is short but meaningful, filled with bittersweet lessons that shaped the woman she eventually became.
Key Points:
- Julie Chrisley’s first husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress, a working-class man she married young.
- This early marriage shaped her perspective before she rose to reality TV fame.
Table of Contents
Who Was Julie Chrisley’s First Husband?
Early Life of Kenneth Wayne Childress
Kenneth Wayne Childress was born around 1966 in South Carolina. He came from a working-class family and pursued a career as a pipefitter and construction worker. Unlike Julie’s later lifestyle, Kenneth’s roots were modest, grounded in local community life.
Julie and Kenneth reportedly met during their teenage years. Their connection was classic “high-school sweetheart” romance—simple, young, and hopeful. Kenneth was about six years older than Julie, which was common in small-town America during that era.
Key Points:
- Kenneth’s life was rooted in small-town values and manual labor work.
- His relationship with Julie began during their teenage years.
Marriage to Julie Chrisley
On March 15, 1991, Julie Hughes (before becoming Chrisley) married Kenneth Wayne Childress in Oconee County, South Carolina. Julie was just 18 years old, while Kenneth was around 24.
The marriage reflected a typical Southern upbringing—young couples marrying early, starting life in modest surroundings. However, the marriage was short-lived. Sources note that Julie and Kenneth divorced quietly after a short time. No children were born from the marriage.
Key Points:
- Julie married Kenneth at 18 in a small-town ceremony.
- The marriage ended quietly without children.
Life After Divorce & His Untimely Death
After the divorce, Kenneth lived privately, away from the spotlight. He continued working as a pipefitter. Sadly, he passed away on November 27, 2012, at age 46, due to complications after heart surgery.
Julie never publicly commented on Kenneth’s death. But his story remains a poignant reminder of her beginnings, contrasting sharply with the public chaos of her later life with Todd Chrisley.
Key Points:
- Kenneth lived privately after the divorce.
- He died in 2012 from surgical complications, ending the chapter quietly.
Julie Chrisley’s Transition From Small-Town Life to Fame
Julie’s marriage to Kenneth symbolized her life before fame—quiet, modest, grounded. Her later marriage to Todd Chrisley, however, catapulted her into wealth, luxury, and eventually national headlines.
This contrast between her first and second marriages shows Julie’s dramatic personal evolution. From the daughter of a Baptist minister and a bank teller, she became the wife of a flamboyant millionaire businessman.
Key Points:
- Julie transitioned from small-town modesty to reality TV stardom.
- Her early marriage provides context to the dramatic changes in her later life.
The Significance of Her First Marriage
Why does Kenneth Wayne Childress matter in Julie’s story? Because it reminds us that public figures often have hidden chapters that shape who they are. Julie’s first marriage reflects:
- The innocence of youth and the realities of small-town marriages.
- The contrast between her quiet early years and her later fame.
- A foundation of resilience she carried into her marriage with Todd.
Key Points:
- Kenneth’s story grounds Julie’s glamorous narrative in reality.
- It adds depth to her identity as more than just a reality star.
Julie’s Later Life With Todd Chrisley
In 1996, Julie married Todd Chrisley, a real-estate developer. Together, they raised three children—Chase, Savannah, and Grayson—and became famous through Chrisley Knows Best.
Todd and Julie presented themselves as a loving, disciplined, humorous Southern family. But behind the scenes, financial troubles brewed.
Key Points:
- Julie’s second marriage became the foundation of her fame.
- It provided her with the platform for wealth and recognition.
Controversy, Legal Battles & Public Scrutiny
By 2019, the Chrisleys faced federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. In 2022, Julie received a 7-year sentence, while Todd got 12 years. Their reality empire collapsed.
In May 2025, however, President Donald Trump issued them a full pardon, granting freedom. This shocking twist restored their public presence.
Key Points:
- Legal scandals nearly destroyed Julie’s reputation.
- The pardon became a controversial turning point in her legacy.
How Kenneth Wayne’s Story Adds Balance
When fans only see Julie’s fame and scandals, they miss the quiet foundation of her life. Kenneth Wayne Childress represents a humanizing element—a reminder that before the spotlight, Julie lived a modest, relatable life.
Key Points:
- Kenneth’s life story balances the extreme highs and lows of Julie’s later fame.
- It shows her journey as one of resilience and transformation.
FAQ
- Who was Julie Chrisley’s first husband?
Julie’s first husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress, a pipefitter she married in 1991. - Did Julie Chrisley have kids with her first husband?
No, she did not have children with Kenneth. - When did Julie’s first husband die?
Kenneth Wayne Childress died in November 2012 from heart surgery complications. - How old was Julie when she married her first husband?
Julie was only 18 years old at the time of the marriage. - Does Julie ever speak about Kenneth Wayne Childress?
Julie has never publicly discussed her first husband in interviews.
People Also Ask
Q1: Was Julie Chrisley married before Todd?
Yes, she married Kenneth Wayne Childress in 1991, years before meeting Todd.
Q2: Why did Julie’s first marriage end?
The exact reasons are private, but the couple quietly divorced after a short marriage.
Q3: Did Kenneth benefit from Julie’s later fame?
No, Kenneth lived privately and passed away before Julie’s TV fame peaked.
Q4: How does Julie’s past marriage affect her legacy?
It shows her journey from modest roots to fame, making her life story more complex.
Conclusion
Julie Chrisley’s story cannot be fully understood without acknowledging her first husband, Kenneth Wayne Childress. Their short, quiet marriage represents the innocence of youth, the roots of small-town America, and the humble beginnings that shaped Julie before fame and scandal.
From marrying at 18, to reality TV success, to legal battles and presidential pardons—Julie’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and survival.
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