Full Name | Jeremiah Raber |
---|---|
Age | 43 |
Birthday | January 17, 1980 |
Death Date | – |
Birth Sign | Capricorn |
Born | United States |
Relationship | Married |
Height | 5‘ 8.9" |
Net Worth | $300K |
Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
Raber is a reality T.V. bad boy adopted by an Amish couple.
About Jeremiah Raber
Jeremiah Raber, born on January 17, 1980, is a familiar face to fans of TLC reality shows. The rebellious Amish-raised star first shot to fame in 2012 as a cast member on the hit show “Breaking Amish.” The dramatic series chronicled the culture shock of several Amish and Mennonite young adults experiencing life outside their strict communities for the first time. Raber immediately stood out for his anti-authority attitude and headline-grabbing antics.
In the decade since his reality TV debut, Raber has embraced the "bad boy" persona bestowed upon him. He’s generated plenty of tabloid fodder thanks to legal troubles, salacious relationship drama, and tell-all interviews airing the show‘s secrets. However, Raber has also displayed personal growth through heartfelt storylines about connecting with his birth mother and supporting his three children. This layered character with a penchant for stirring up trouble keeps viewers tuned in.
Jeremiah Raber Timeline
2012
Raber Starts a YouTube Channel
In November, he launches his YouTube channel and vlogs his daily life.
2013
He Acts in the Spin-off
Being an original cast member of “Breaking Amish,” Raber is cast in the spin-off show.
2017
He Joins Another Spin-off
Raber joins the show “Return to Amish,” and makes many personal discoveries.
2021
“Return to Amish” Ends
Raber appears in 29 episodes until the show ends.
Why We Love Jeremiah Raber
He’s very outspoken
Within and outside reality T.V., Raber is an outspoken individual. You’ve probably caught some of his Facebook rants.
He supports his kids
Although his ex-wife claims he’s usually late with the child support checks, Raber always pays. He is a caring father.
He wasn‘t afraid to leave
Raber wasn’t afraid to leave the Amish culture, which was the only thing he’d known since he was a toddler. He’s very courageous.
5 Interesting Facts about Jeremiah Raber
1. He was adopted as an infant
Raber was taken from his birth mother at nine months and then adopted into his current family.
2. He’s currently estranged from his family
Raber hasn’t been in contact with his adopted family since 2012.
3. He’s been arrested
Following a domestic violence report by Mendez, Raber was arrested in 2017.
4. He’s an ordained minister
Raber got ordained to be a minister and can now officiate wedding ceremonies.
5. He might not be entirely honest
According to Raber’s ex-wife, he had driven a car before going on the show.
The Adopted Reality TV Rebel
Raber was adopted at 9 months old by Amish parents after his unwed teenage mother gave him up. He grew up in a strict Old Order Amish community in Ohio where he felt stifled by the rigid rules and discipline. In his 20s, Raber left the Amish way of life and had a rebellious stint including drinking and driving.
When Raber landed a spot on “Breaking Amish” in 2012, he presented himself as an Amish innocent experiencing the outside world for the first time. But several castmates later alleged much of Raber’s backstory was fabricated. His ex-wife also claims he had already left the Amish and driven cars years before filming.
Relationship Drama and Legal Troubles
Raber’s love life has inspired plenty of headlines. His first Amish wife, Naomi Stutzman, divorced him after he left the church. Raber married fellow reality star Carmela Mendez while filming “Return to Amish” in 2015. Their volatile relationship ultimately ended after Mendez filed assault charges against him.
In 2017, Raber was arrested for allegedly punching Mendez and breaking a door at her home during a domestic dispute. Their divorce was finalized in 2018. Raber is now married to his third wife, Kayla Slabaugh, with whom he shares a daughter.
Thriving on Reality TV
Raber has proven to be reality TV gold, returning for numerous Amish-themed shows. Originally a “Breaking Amish” cast member, he then joined the spin-off “Breaking Amish: Brave New World.” Raber‘s had his biggest role on "Return to Amish," appearing for all five seasons until its 2021 cancellation.
The shows capture Raber‘s talents for stirring up drama and delivering witty confessional interviews. He‘s unveiled emotional personal stories, like meeting his deceased birth father‘s family. And Raber‘s not afraid to call out fakery, admitting "Breaking Amish" used planted situations.
Life After Reality TV
When he‘s not filming reality shows, Raber lives a relatively low-key life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania focused on his construction work and raising his daughter Ember. Raber still connects with fans through social media, where he posts family updates and livestream chats.
Raber has also generated some income through side hustles like officiating weddings, selling basset hound puppies bred on his farm, and dishing on his Amish experiences on paid third-party video platforms.
One thing that won‘t change is Raber speaking his unfiltered mind, whether discussing his tabloid-worthy life or calling out others he feels are being inauthentic.