Skip to content

Joanna Gaines: Designer, Entrepreneur, and TV Personality

Full Name Joanna Stevens Gaines
Age 45
Birthday April 19, 1978
Born United States
Spouse Chip Gaines (m. 2003)
Children 5 (Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie Kay, Crew)
Known for "Fixer Upper"
Net Worth $10 million
Social Media


About Joanna Gaines

Joanna Gaines is an American reality television star, interior designer, and entrepreneur. She is best known for co-starring with her husband Chip Gaines on the hit HGTV show "Fixer Upper" from 2013 to 2018. On the show, the couple renovated and redecorated outdated homes in the Waco, Texas area for clients. Joanna handled the interior design while Chip managed the renovations.

With her signature farmhouse-chic style, Joanna quickly became the breakout star of the show. Her ability to blend classic and contemporary design helped revolutionize home decor in America. The popularity of "Fixer Upper" propelled Joanna‘s career as a designer and businesswoman. She launched the successful Magnolia Home brand which includes retail stores, product lines, books, and more.

Early Life and Education

Joanna Stevens was born on April 19, 1978 in Kansas but spent most of her childhood on a farm in Texas. From an early age, she had a creative eye for design and would redecorate rooms in her family home. Joanna attended Baylor University, graduating in 2001 with a degree in communications. To help pay for school, she worked jobs in restaurants and nursing homes.

In 2003, Joanna married Chip Gaines and the couple settled in Waco, Texas. That same year, they started their own home renovation and design business called Magnolia Homes. As Joanna took on more interior design projects, her talents quickly generated buzz around town.

Fixer Upper and TV Fame

In 2012, a HGTV producer reached out to Joanna and Chip about starring in their own home renovation show. The couple agreed and "Fixer Upper" premiered in May 2013. Each episode featured the Gaines taking on project houses around Waco and transforming them for clients with their signature styles.

Joanna handled all the interior design elements including decor, furnishings, and layouts. Her ability to blend modern farmhouse style with contemporary elements drew praise from viewers. "Fixer Upper" became one of HGTV‘s most popular shows and aired for five seasons.

Building a Lifestyle Brand

Leveraging her fame from "Fixer Upper," Joanna expanded Magnolia into a lifestyle empire. She launched retail stores, decor lines, rug collections, wallpaper, books and more. Her first book, "Magnolia Home," was published in 2016 and became a New York Times bestseller. It shared design tips and stories about Joanna‘s projects and family life.

In 2018, after the end of "Fixer Upper," Joanna debuted a furniture line at Target. She also opened Magnolia Market at the Silos – a shopping complex in Waco featuring home furnishings, clothes, gardening supplies and food. Today, Magnolia is valued at over $10 million.

Family and Philanthropy

Despite her busy schedule, Joanna remains devoted to her family. She and Chip have five children – Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie Kay and Crew. The family lives on a 40+ acre farm outside of Waco that often hosts events for Magnolia.

Joanna is also dedicated to charity work. She has volunteered and donated to organizations supporting children‘s hospitals, cancer research, the homeless and more. In 2018, Baylor University awarded Joanna an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree for her entrepreneurial achievements and commitment to giving back.

Fun Facts About Joanna

  • Used to work at her father‘s Firestone tire shop as a teenager
  • Performed ballet as a child and took piano lessons
  • Her parents owned a farm where she first learned about gardening and animals
  • Loves to cook and bake for her family in her spare time
  • Favorite foods are Tex-Mex, pasta, and pizza

Why We Love Joanna Gaines

Joanna Gaines has inspired millions with her design talent, business acumen and dedication to family. Here are a few of the reasons she is so beloved:

  • Authenticity – she comes across as genuine, humble and down-to-earth
  • Creativity – her ability to blend styles and transform spaces is exceptional
  • Relatability – her laidback mom-next-door persona makes her relatable
  • Entrepreneurship – built a multi-million dollar brand through passion and grit
  • Devotion to family – remains committed to her husband and kids
  • Generosity – gives back to the community through charitable initiatives

Joanna Gaines‘ rise from modest beginnings to design superstar is truly inspiring. But what really makes fans connect with her is her determination to stay true to her values. She represents the best of family, faith and entrepreneurial spirit.

Join the conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *