Chip and Joanna Gaines have been together for more than 20 years, and like any long-term couple, they’ve faced their share of ups and downs.
Despite their huge success on HGTV and beyond, the couple recently opened up about the realities of balancing their marriage, family, and fame.
Joanna, 47, spoke candidly about how they built a strong foundation from the very beginning — setting “non-negotiables” that helped them navigate everything life threw their way.
Early Struggles With The Little Shop on Bosque Shaped Their Marriage
Going back to the early 2000s, Chip and Joanna ran a small store called The Little Shop on Bosque.
Joanna revealed it was a scary time financially, with the first dozen years of their marriage filled with uncertainty.
She explained on the Stronger Podcast with Don Saladino how every Friday felt like it could be the last day they’d have to keep their shop open.
But despite those struggles, the couple always reminded themselves that even if the business failed, they still had each other — and that was their true foundation.
Joanna said that mindset became their “core and foundation,” and every decision they made was weighed carefully for how it would impact their relationship and family life.
Putting Marriage and Family First Amid the Glare of Fame
The couple credited their ability to prioritize one another for helping them manage the pressures of fame while raising five children.
Chip, 50, shared he’d be perfectly fine stepping away from the spotlight as long as he had Joanna and their kids by his side.
He reflected, “If all of this success and money disappeared tomorrow, but my wife and kids were still there on the farm raising animals, that’s what matters most.”
Still, Chip believes it’s possible to “have your cake and eat it too” — meaning he thinks they can be successful without sacrificing their marriage or family life.
Starting a New Chapter Focused on Wellness and Health
More recently, Joanna shared that they’re embarking on a new journey together — focusing on wellness, health, and fitness.
After years of running a business and raising kids, this is a fresh area they’re figuring out as a team.
She explained, “We have family and business, that’s our thing.
But now wellness and working out is something new for us that we’re trying to figure out.”
Facing Backlash Over New Reality Show Casting
While Chip and Joanna’s marriage is thriving, they recently found themselves at the center of controversy.
Their new reality show, Back to the Frontier, which airs on the Magnolia Network, has sparked backlash from some conservative Christian viewers.
The show drops three families near the Canadian Rockies to live as if it’s the 1880s — no modern technology, no electricity or running water, and they must farm and tend livestock for eight weeks.
Some critics took issue with the casting of a same-sex couple, Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, who appear with their children.
This sparked a wave of criticism from conservative Christian circles accusing the Gaines of making “unbiblical” choices.
Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs Speak Out in Support of the Gaines
Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs responded on social media to defend Chip and Joanna, sharing their gratitude for being included on the show.
Hanna posted a screenshot of an article headlined “Conservative Christians rage at reality show for letting gay people on,” and explained why their family deserves to be represented on TV.
Riggs also publicly thanked the Gaines for standing by their casting decision — even though it was previously reported that Chip and Joanna attend an Evangelical church, which holds traditional views opposing homosexuality.
The Gaines Family Continues to Inspire Despite Challenges
Married since 2003, Chip and Joanna share five children — Drake (20), Ella (18), Duke (17), Emmie (15), and Crew (7).
Through their work, family life, and new projects, they continue to show how they balance personal values with the realities of fame, business, and societal challenges.
Their journey reminds fans that even with success, it’s the strength of relationships and staying true to core values that truly matter.
