Julie Chrisley
Julie Chrisley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Julie Hughes January 9, 1973 Winchester, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupation | Reality‑television personality |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Known for | Chrisley Knows Best (2014–2023) |
| Criminal charge(s) | Tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bank fraud |
| Criminal penalty | Vacated by presidential pardon [a] |
| Criminal status | Pardoned May 27, 2025[2] |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
Julie Chrisley (née Hughes; born January 9, 1973) is an American reality-television personality. She rose to fame as the matriarch of the USA Network series Chrisley Knows Best (2014–2023) and its spin-offs. In 2022, she and her husband, Todd Chrisley, were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. After a series of appeals, U.S. President Donald Trump in May 2025 granted them full presidential pardons.[2]
Early life
[edit]Julie Hughes was born in Winchester, South Carolina, to Baptist minister Harvey Hughes and his wife, Pam, and grew up in a modest double-wide trailer.[3] She attended local schools and worked in a bank before meeting real-estate investor Todd Chrisley in the mid-1990s.[4]
Career
[edit]Reality television
[edit]Julie joined Chrisley Knows Best when it premiered on USA Network in March 2014, becoming known for her deadpan humor and traditional Southern cooking.[4] She later hosted the digital cooking series What's Cooking with Julie Chrisley (2019) and appeared on the family spin-off Growing Up Chrisley (2019–2022).[3]
Other media
[edit]With her husband she co-hosts the weekly podcast Chrisley Confessions, launched in 2018, discussing faith, parenting and, more recently, the couple’s legal battles.[5]
Fraud and tax evasion
[edit]Indictment and conviction
[edit]In August 2019, the Chrisleys were indicted on 12 counts including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and tax evasion.[6] Following a three-week trial, a federal jury found both guilty on all counts in June 2022.[6] On November 21, 2022, Julie was sentenced to seven years in prison, probation and US$17.8 million restitution, while Todd received 12 years.[7] They reported to prison in January 2023 and filed notices of appeal the same month.[4]
Appeals
[edit]On June 21, 2024, a three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit upheld the convictions but ruled that Julie’s sentencing guidelines had been miscalculated, remanding her case for resentencing.[8] At a September 25, 2024, hearing the district court imposed the same 84-month term.
Presidential pardon
[edit]On May 27, 2025, Donald Trump told the Chrisleys’ adult children in a publicly released phone call that he intended to issue full presidential pardons for both parents, saying he hoped to “finish the paperwork within 24 hours.”[1] A White House statement later that day confirmed the pardons had been signed.[2] Chrisley and her husband were released from prison hours after the Trump pardon.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Julie married Todd Chrisley on May 25, 1996. They have three children together—Chase (b. 1996), Savannah (b. 1997) and Grayson (b. 2006)—and Julie is step-mother to Todd’s children Lindsie and Kyle from his first marriage.[10] In 2016, Julie and Todd adopted Chloe, the daughter of Todd’s son Kyle and a former girlfriend.
Health
[edit]In 2012, at age 39, Julie was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery.[5] She has been in remission since.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2023 | Chrisley Knows Best | Herself | Series regular |
| 2017 | According to Chrisley | Herself | Guest |
| 2019–2022 | Growing Up Chrisley | Herself | Recurring |
| 2019 | What's Cooking with Julie Chrisley | Host | Web series |
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Trump set to pardon reality-TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley of fraud and tax-evasion convictions". Associated Press. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Todd and Julie Chrisley Officially Pardoned by President Donald Trump in Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion Case". People. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ a b "Julie Chrisley – TV Insider Profile". TV Insider. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c Eidell, Lynsey (October 24, 2024). "What Happened to the Chrisleys? How Todd and Julie Went from Reality TV to a 'Nightmare' Behind Bars — And When They'll Be Released". People. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Stone, Natalie (October 2, 2018). "Todd Chrisley's Wife Julie Opens Up About Her Double Mastectomy at Age 39". People. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Caruso, Skyler (March 8, 2025). "Everything to Know About the \$30 Million Fraud Trial Against Todd and Julie Chrisley". People. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Wenger, Stephanie (November 22, 2022). "Todd and Julie Chrisley Are Sentenced in Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion Case". People. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ "Reality TV's Julie Chrisley must be resentenced in bank fraud, tax case, appeals court rules". Associated Press. June 21, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, KiMi. "Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley released from prison after Trump signs pardon". USA Today. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
- ^ VanHoose, Benjamin (July 29, 2021). "Todd Chrisley Speaks Out on Estranged Daughter Lindsie's Divorce News". People. Retrieved May 27, 2025.