The Truth About Todd Chrisley

Todd Chrisley is the patriarch of the famous Chrisley family. Whether or not you've ever seen an episode of Chrisley Knows Best, you've probably heard of the charming southern family, who hail from Georgia. They made their reality television debut in 2014, and the world truly hasn't been the same ever since. 

The Chrisleys are loud, hilarious, and seriously entertaining to watch. But the real character on the series is definitely Todd Chrisley, the man with a personality almost as large as his southern mansion.

Todd has certainly made a name for himself in the years since Chrisley Knows Best premiered. Additionally, fans have truly gotten to see that the husband, father, and grandfather values his family more than anything else. However, there's a lot more to the southern gentleman than a knack for dressing well and a hilarious cliche for just about every situation. The truth about Todd Chrisley is that he's come a long way in life, and he still has a long way to go.

Todd Chrisley is fairly open about his life, especially since it's all aired on television anyway. Still, not a whole lot is known about Todd's early years. However, one thing that's clear on Chrisley Knows Best, and that's that his accent is about as southern as it gets. Todd's distinctive accent makes everything he says sound a whole lot funnier, nicer, and just better overall. 

Of course, Todd has an accent because he's a true southerner, who was born in Georgia, according to Country Living. However, while that may be his birth state, Todd told Southern Living that he spent a lot of his childhood in South Carolina. 

Still, wherever he lived as a child, it was in the south — and that's something Todd is proud of. "At the end of the day, families from the South pull together," he explained. "We may fight amongst each other, but we all stick together." Truly, Todd's one-of-a-kind mannerisms and parenting styles are all thanks to his southern roots, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

On Chrisley Knows Best, family life is a little chaotic, but everyone is still pretty put together and proper. However, it might shock even the most dedicated fans to know that the marriage you see on television between Todd and Julie Chrisley isn't Todd's first marriage. In fact, Todd married his first wife right after high school.

Specifically, Todd wed his high school sweetheart, Teresa Terry, when they were both very young. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Terry revealed that she and Todd married when she was only 19 and he was 21 — because she'd gotten pregnant. "Most likely, we wouldn't have married if I hadn't been pregnant, but we did and it was a big deal," she shared. 

Obviously, the two weren't meant to be, and they divorced in 1996. Since then, Todd hasn't really talked about his ex-wife. But, whatever went on between them, it's clear that neither of them were that happy.

Clearly, Todd Chrisley's first marriage with Teresa Terry didn't work out, and if Chrisley Knows Best is any indication, he's much happier with Julie Chrisley by his side. However, according to Terry, Todd got violent during their marriage, and Chrisley wasn't fun to be around.

According to the Daily Mail, Terry claimed that Todd was guilty of "mental and physical abuse," as well as "battering" her with "his closed fist." Additionally, Terry claimed that Todd even threatened to kill her, and that she saw him abusing his own mother, Nanny Faye Chrisley. 

In addition to the violence, Terry also claimed that Todd's tendency to be controlling wasn't healthy for their marriage. "We were both headstrong," she confessed. "He likes to control his environment. That is one part of [Chrisley Knows Best] that is not fiction, and it drove me crazy." Todd, for his part, denied any allegations of abuse, but his relationship with Terry seems to be pretty rocky, still.

For as messy as Todd Chrisley's first marriage was, that didn't stop him from looking for love after it dissolved. In fact, the same year his divorce from Terry was finalized, he actually married Julie Chrisley. And, as fans of Chrisley Knows Best know, Todd and Julie Chrisley's relationship is solid. 

In May of 2020, Todd and Julie actually celebrated a pretty impressive anniversary. "24 years ago I was fortunate enough to make this woman my wife," Todd wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of Julie. "I was fortunate enough to marry the only woman I've ever loved, my best friend, my person that truly gave me the confidence to take on this crazy world, and prosper spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, and financially." 

Well, if his caption didn't make it clear, Julie is the only woman for Todd, and apparently he never even loved his first wife. That's not exactly what his first wife might want to hear, but it's definitely good for Julie!

How much is the Chrisley family worth? It's evident on Chrisley Knows Best that the Chrisley family doesn't exactly struggle with money. Or at least, they don't show it if they do. The family has lived in gorgeous, huge homes from the beginning of the show, and Todd Chrisley's knack for real estate is likely why. According to Investopedia, Todd credits his real estate businesses for how he made 95 percent of his multi-million dollar fortune, showing just how savvy he is.

In 2010, Todd even launched a training webinar geared towards teaching real estate agents how to become more successful, as well as take advantage of the profits that flipping homes tend to bring. Indeed it appears that he knew what he was doing with his real estate business, and has his business acumen to thank for making his millions. 

However, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Todd is worth negative $5 million, so his financial situation might not be in the best spot despite his past success.

For many families, the concept of starring on their own reality show might sound a little sketchy, or like something they have no desire to take part in. But for Todd Chrisley and his family, it was only natural. 

In fact, in an interview with OK! Todd revealed that he wasn't all that shocked when they got approached for a show."They said they felt like our family was a show, that there was something there," he said of the production company that came to them for the series. "I always knew there was some crazy, but they felt like it was a show." 

After that, Chrisley Knows Best was born. Todd added that later, in another discussion with the company, they explained that they had pitched the show to ten different networks and had gotten nine offers. That's pretty impressive for a family who was so unknown before the show. But clearly, the Chrisleys really were made for reality television, Todd especially.

As important as family is to Todd Chrisley, he has a pretty complicated relationship with his oldest daughter, Lindsie Chrisley. Lindsie, the daughter of Todd and his first wife, Teresa Terry, did appear on the earlier seasons of Chrisley Knows Best. But, the real reason Lindsie said goodbye to Chrisley Knows Best was that she and her father had a falling out, due to statements Lindsie reportedly made.

However, according to a statement obtained E! News, Lindsie's attorney, Musa Ghanayem, revealed that Lindsie is over the family drama. "Lindsie would like nothing more than to be left alone and go about her own business. Unfortunately, certain members of her family will not let her live in peace," it read.

In response, Todd shared some shocking news. "It's heartbreaking and shameful that these kinds of accusations have to be aired in public," he stated. "We have tried to keep Lindsie's extramarital relationships with [Bachelor Nation stars] Robby Hayes and Josh Murray private for her sake since August of 2016." That's right, Todd accused his daughter of having multiple affairs, and their relationship truly hasn't been the same ever since.

The entire premise of Chrisley Knows Best is that family is the most important thing for the Chrisleys, even when they have their ups and downs along the way. And while Todd Chrisley obviously loves his wife and children a ton, he has an especially close relationship with his own mother; to say that he adores her would be a massive understatement.

Todd's love for his mother, Faye Chrisley, who fans lovingly know as Nanny Faye, is so intense that on the show, he's often taking care of her and spending time with her. But if it wasn't enough, Todd's birthday tribute to Faye on Instagram really proved his love. In a caption for a sweet photo of mother and son together, he wrote, "There are no words that will ever explain how blessed I am to have you as my mother, through every trial and tribulation our family has ever gone through, you have been the light that lead us through the darkness." Todd is clearly grateful for Faye, and values everything she's done for him.

For someone as family-focused as Todd Chrisley, the desire for his wife and kids to live long, happy, and healthy lives is obviously a big one. So, when Todd found out that someone very close to him had been diagnosed with cancer, it couldn't have been easy. That said, it was Todd himself who convinced his wife, Julie Chrisley, to get a mammogram just to be safe. In an interview with Tennessean, Julie gave credit to her husband for making her get examined. "I did it to appease him so he would shut up and leave me alone," she said. 

However, nothing could have prepared her for the news that she had breast cancer. Still, Julie explained that Todd actually had a harder time dealing with the news than she did. "I'm like, oh, I can do this. We're gonna get through this," she recalled. "My husband didn't sleep for three weeks." 

It's definitely sweet that Todd cares so much for his wife. We're just glad she's okay!

Despite the fact that sexuality, much like gender, is a spectrum, and people can identify however they please, Todd Chrisley has had to deal with more than his fair share of criticism when it comes to his own sexuality. In fact, his own son has accused him of being gay and hiding his sexuality (via Bravo).

But, Todd isn't here for that. In an interview on The Domenick Nati Show, he was asked if it bothered him that people questioned his sexuality — and his answer was seriously mature. "In order for it to disappoint me, it would mean that I don't agree with someone being gay," he revealed. "I don't believe that's a choice that you make. I believe that you are the way that God has made you." Clearly, Todd isn't that bothered by the rumors, because he knows the truth and that's all that matters.

On Chrisley Knows Best, the focus of the series is on Todd, Julie, and Nanny Faye Chrisley, as well as Todd and Julie's three children, Chase, Savannah, and Grayson Chrisley. But Todd has two children from his first marriage: Lindsie Chrisley — who he isn't on good terms with — and Kyle Chrisley. And when it comes to Kyle, Todd has struggled. In fact, in 2017, Kyle gave an interview to Good Morning America, in which he totally bashed his father and accused him of not paying taxes. 

However, in 2019, everything changed, when Kyle came forward with the revelation that he and his father were on good terms again. He also admitted to lying in that interview. "I've had a problem with drugs, I've acted completely ridiculous and through all that they have stood by my side," he shared on Facebook. "Nine months ago I went to my dad with an apology. His words were 'I love you always, and you are forgiven' and just like that I was welcomed back into his life with open arms." We're just glad they mended things.

Fans of Chrisley Knows Best might have noticed that there's more than one child vying for the attention of Todd and Julie Chrisley. In addition to Chase, Savannah, and Grayson Chrisely, little Chloe Chrisley also lives in the Chrisley household, though it might not be clear immediately just what her place is among the crew. 

But as it turns out, Chloe is the daughter of Kyle Chrisley, Todd's son from his first marriage, and he and Julie have custody of her. "Kyle is bipolar and normally, people that are bipolar, they seek out a way to self-medicate, which is what Kyle has done since he's been young," Todd told E! News in an interview. "I want what's best for him." Obviously, Todd also wants what's best for Chloe, which means that he and Julie are caring for the adorable little girl.

It's unclear whether or not Todd and Julie will remain Chloe's guardian if Kyle is able to take care of her, but whatever happens, they're more than your average grandparents.

In 2020, the entire world experienced a huge change as the coronavirus pandemic hit, and more and more people became sick with the illness. It seemed like no one was safe from COVID-19, including Todd Chrisley himself. Yes, even reality stars and other celebs can test positive for coronavirus.

Todd admitted that the virus was no joke, too. In fact, he even said that it was the sickest he had been in his entire life. On an episode of his Chrisley Confessions podcast, the patriarch opened up about his diagnosis, and shared he wasn't doing well still. "I have been battling corona for three weeks," he stated. "I was in the hospital for four and a half days, fever between 100 to 103 [degrees] and it has been the sickest I have ever been on this earth." Yikes!

Obviously, Chrisley made a recovery from the virus, but he still really struggled with it for a while, and claimed that he had never felt worse.

In 2017, the state of Georgia opened an inquiry into Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie Chrisley's, taxes after it became clear that the couple had failed to file any tax documents for years. Although they were eventually able to settle up with Georgia after paying $147,944.75, as reported by Today, this inquiry also captured the attention of federal investigators. Per the U.S. Department of Justice, the resulting investigation found that the Chrisleys had also declined to pay their federal income tax for several years. A further look into their finances showed something even more alarming: the couple had received millions of dollars that could not be explained by their reality TV contracts.

After a thorough investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it was revealed that Todd and Julie had sought approximately $36 million in loans from banks in the Atlanta area. In an attempt to secure these, they submitted a number of false financial statements. Although not all the banks ultimately provided them with these funds, Todd and Julie Chrisley still managed to defraud these institutions of a grand total of $20 million. According to experts on the case, the Chrisleys then used these funds on expensive experiences, like luxury vacations, pricey vehicles, and brand-name clothes. Apparently, their goal was to appear wealthier than they were.

Following a 2022 trial, Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of both tax fraud and bank fraud. While Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison, Julie was sentenced to seven. At the time, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan told the U.S. Department of Justice that he felt justice had been served. "Their lengthy sentences reflect the magnitude of their criminal scheme and should serve as a warning to others tempted to exploit our nation's community banking system for unlawful personal gain," he said.

The sentencing of Todd and Julie Chrisley gave many people hope that nobody is truly above the law. Per the same report in the U.S. Department of Justice, Special Agent James E. Dorsey expressed his belief that Todd and Julie's prison sentences would prove that wealth and fame weren't sufficient to prevent justice from prevailing. "This sentencing serves notice that no matter a person's celebrity status, there are severe consequences for defrauding the American tax system," Dorsey stated.

Todd and Julie both went to federal prison to serve out their sentences. Reflecting on his time in prison in a conversation with Extra, Todd said that the hardest part of the experience was spending time away from Julie. He also said he struggled with "not being able to talk to my kids all day long and sitting down at the table every night for dinner ... That was the thing that I missed the most."

Although prosecutors sought lengthy prison time for Todd and Julie Chrisley, the couple only served two years of their original sentences. The reason? They joined the lengthy list of famous people who President Donald Trump has pardoned. On May 27, 2025, Trump officially extended them a pardon. This meant that the Chrisleys would be released from prison — a moment that the producers of "The Chrisleys: Back to Reality" were desperate to capture. "We got the phone call. We knew it was going to happen within 24 hours but you don't know when," Jesse Daniels of Bunim/Murray Productions recalled in an interview with Deadline.

Getting the Chrisleys on camera was, ultimately, a group effort. According to the show's executive producer, Farnaz Farjam, Todd and Julie's children, Chase Chrisley and Savannah Chrisley, went to get their parents from two separate prisons. Both Chase and Savannah apparently went camera in hand. "The family divided so Chase went with some family friends to go get Julie, while Savannah went with friends to get Todd. They slept in their cars. Some of the family friends helped us and got a lot of cell phone footage because it happened so fast," Farjam shared in the aforementioned Deadline report.

Ultimately, the Chrisley couple's respective prison releases amounted to the perfect reality TV moment. As Daniels told Deadline, the home-video-style footage made things feel real: "you feel like you're there with alongside the family as their parents are getting out."

Following his prison release, Todd Chrisley got involved in Turning Point USA, a conservative non-profit that encourages right-leaning viewpoints at schools across the United States. Founded by the late podcaster, Charlie Kirk, — who was good friends with Vice President JD Vance — this organization has strong ties to the Trump family and their MAGA-style politics. Chrisley's association with the non-profit cemented the highly political nature of his public persona. He even gave a speech at a Turning Point USA event called AmFest in 2025.

During his address, Chrisley spoke out against cancel culture, stating, "When we choose conversation over cancelation, when we choose faith over fear, when we choose unity over chaos, because, at the end of the day, we don't rise as conservatives or liberals. We rise as Americans." The reality star also discussed his status as a former inmate. Focusing on his sudden release from prison, Chrisley emphasized the fact that one's life can change dramatically in a short amount of time. "Standing here today, I am restored. I am Michael Todd Chrisley," he said, fighting back tears. 

As Todd Chrisley began to take on an increasingly political role, he also began to receive more and more online hate. This was especially true immediately after he received a pardon from President Donald Trump. After all, many reality TV fans viewed this as an immense affront to justice — and a sign that the Chrisleys were somehow above the law. Speaking to Variety, though, Chrisley revealed that he doesn't take these opinions personally. In his view, the hatred comes more from people's political ideologies than their notions of guilt or innocence. "You have people that say things on social media that they used to love us, but now that Trump pardoned us... Their issue is who pardoned us. It's not that we were pardoned, it's who pardoned us," he opined.

In the same interview, Chrisley urged people to understand things from his perspective. Anyone, he argued, would have accepted a pardon if it meant leaving jail, no matter the identity of the sitting president. "So I would say to any person that has an issue with that, if they were in our situation and President Trump could have pardoned them, they would have stood in line to have gotten that pardon," Chrisley declared. As for issues of politics, Chrisley claimed that there was no difference between a party and a sports team. "You can sit and say, 'I hate President Trump,' 'I hate Joe Biden,' 'I hate Obama,' 'I hate Clinton.' That's like a football team," he added.

Todd Chrisley may have been convicted of more than one federal crime, but that does not mean that his reality TV career had to end. The television personality continued to haunt the silver screen in 2025 and 2026. In the latter year, he even made a humorous reference to his imprisonment in the competition show, "Masked Singer" — performing "Jailhouse Rock" alongside his wife, Julie Chrisley. Laughing about this choice in an interview with Variety, Todd shared, "We've leaned into it since it's happened, we haven't ran from it. And it just felt right. It was kind of like, 'you're not going to hold this over our head, you're not going to shame us with this.' And I just felt good with that song."

In the end, however, singing "Jailhouse Rock" made it very easy for the guests to guess Todd and Julie's identities. "We said to the folks at 'Masked Singer' that these clues are too telling," Todd told Variety in the previously cited interview. "It's too fresh, they're going to figure this out quick." Ultimately, as predicted, the Chrisley's did not stay masked for long. But, overall, the television appearance demonstrated that the couple was not willing to take a break from the spotlight. What's more, it came as Julia was working on a cooking show and Todd a potential reality TV opportunity based in the United Kingdom.