Who was Julie Chrisley's first husband before marrying Todd Chrisley?
Julie Chrisley’s first husband before marrying Todd Chrisley was Kenneth Wayne Childress, a pipefitter. Their relationship faded quietly, marking the beginning of Julie's path to the spotlight. Julie once said:
Your past is a part of you, but it doesn’t have to define you.

Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Julie Chrisley was married before she met and married Todd Chrisley.
- Julie Chrisley's first husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress.
- Their marriage took place in 1991 when Julie was still quite young.
- The relationship reportedly ended well before Julie began dating Todd.
- Julie met Todd Chrisley in the mid-1990s and married in 1996.
- Her past marriage is often overlooked, as her life with Todd is the focal point of her public persona.
Kenneth Wayne Childress’ profile summary
Full name | Kenneth Wayne Childress |
Nickname | Kenny |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | June 16, 1966 |
Date of death | November 27, 2012 |
Age at death | 46 years |
Zodiac sign | Gemini |
Place of birth | Decatur, Alabama, USA |
Place of death | Seneca, South Carolina, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexual orientation | Straight |
Hair colour | Dark brown |
Eye colour | Brown |
Mother | Betty Jean Rogers Childress |
Father | Olin Thoms Childress |
Siblings | Three (Gary, Tom and Nancy Barnes) |
Relationship status | Divorced |
Ex-partner | Julie Chrisley |
Profession | Construction worker and pipefitter |
Who was Julie Chrisley's first husband?
Her first husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress. He was born in South Carolina on March 29, 1964, to Bobby Childress and Ann Childress, and was allegedly raised alongside his sister, Kellie Adair.
What did Julie Hughes' first husband do for a living? He worked as a construction worker and pipe fitter.
Wayne Childress and Julie Chrisley's relationship
Julie and Wayne started dating while in high school and exchanged their wedding vows on March 15, 1991. The two allegedly married in Oconee County, South Carolina, when Julie was 18 and Kenneth was 24.
The marriage was short-lived as the two eventually went their separate ways before Julie met and married Todd Chrisley. The couple didn’t have any kids. What happened to Kenneth Wayne Childress? He passed away on March 27, 2012, due to complications while recovering from heart surgery.
Julie Chrisley's current partner
Who is Julie Chrisley married to? She married Todd Chrisley, a real estate mogul turned reality TV star. The two met in the mid-1990s in South Carolina, shortly after both had ended previous marriages.
Julie had recently separated from Kenneth, while Todd had finalised a divorce from his high school sweetheart, Teresa Terry. While Julie didn’t have kids from her previous marriage, Todd and Teresa had two children, Lindsie and Kyle. The couple married on May 25, 1996, and is blessed with three children – Chase, Savannah, and Grayson.

Source: Instagram
Their partnership extended beyond family life as they became the faces of the hit reality series Chrisley Knows Best, which debuted in 2014. The reality TV show documented their lavish lifestyle, strong family values, and often humorous parenting style.
What happened to Julie and her current partner?
Life took a dramatic turn in 2022 after they were both convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. In early 2023, they began serving their prison sentences in separate federal facilities—Julie in Lexington, Kentucky, and Todd in Pensacola, Florida.
FAQS about Julie Chrisley's first husband, including
- Who is Julie Chrisley? Julie Chrisley is a reality TV personality known for starring in Chrisley Knows Best alongside her husband, Todd Chrisley.
- Was Julie Chrisley married before? Julie Chrisley was previously married before she met Todd. Her first husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress.
- Who was Julie Chrisley’s first husband? Julie Chrisley’s first husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress, a pipefitter from South Carolina. They married in 1991 when Julie was 18, and Kenneth was 24.
- What happened to Julie Chrisley’s first husband? Kenneth Wayne Childress passed away on March 27, 2012, due to complications while recovering from heart surgery.
- What happened to Chrisley's wife? Julie Chrisley, Todd's wife, was convicted in 2022 of bank fraud and tax evasion.
- Did Julie Chrisley have children with her first husband? Julie did not have any children with Kenneth Wayne Childress.
- Who is Julie Chrisley married to? Julie Chrisley is married to Todd Chrisley, a real estate mogul turned reality TV star.
- How many children does Julie Chrisley have? Julie Chrisley has three biological children with Todd: Chase, Savannah, and Grayson Chrisley. She is also the stepmother of Todd's two older children, Lindsie and Kyle, from his previous marriage.
- How long have Todd and Julie been together? They have been together for more than thirty years. They met in the mid-1990s, married in 1996, and have been together since then.
Wrapping up
Julie Chrisley's first husband, Kenneth Wayne Childress, was part of her early life before she stepped into the spotlight. Though that chapter was brief, it paved the way for the enduring relationship she later built with Todd Chrisley. Julie's journey from a quiet past to a very public present shows how life's early paths can lead to unexpected places.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke