Julie Chrisley became famous with her husband, Todd, on USA Network’s “Chrisley Knows Best.” They lived in luxury until their legal troubles hit and upended their finances.
This article explores her current net worth, income sources, and the impact of legal challenges on her wealth.
Who Is Julie Chrisley?
Born Julie Hughes on January 9, 1973, in South Carolina, Julie Chrisley became known as the matriarch of the Chrisley family. She married Todd Chrisley in 1996, becoming stepmother to his two children from a previous marriage and later having three more children with him.
Julie gained fame when her family’s reality TV show “Chrisley Knows Best” premiered on USA Network in 2014. The show showcased their lavish lifestyle in Georgia and later Nashville, Tennessee. Her calm personality balanced Todd’s more outspoken character, making her a fan favorite.
Before fame, Julie won the title of Miss South Carolina in her youth. Her life took a dramatic turn when she and Todd faced serious legal charges. In 2022, both were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. The couple began serving prison sentences in January 2023, with Julie initially sentenced to seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
Julie Chrisley Net Worth
As of early 2025, most financial trackers peg Julie Chrisley’s net worth at around $1.5 million. However, court filings show $17 million in restitution and legal fees, which many experts say puts her assets in the red. That’s down from earlier estimates that placed her worth around $4-5 million before legal troubles.
What makes this estimate complex is the significant legal debt the Chrisleys face. In 2022, they were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion after prosecutors proved they had defrauded community banks in the Atlanta area to obtain more than $36 million in personal loans. According to court documents, they were ordered to pay $17 million in restitution to banks they swindled.
The financial picture gets murkier when considering joint assets. While some sources list her net worth at $1.5 million, others claim it’s closer to $4 million. However, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Julie’s net worth at -$18 million when factoring in legal debts and restitution orders.
Prior to legal troubles, Julie and Todd displayed an extravagant lifestyle on their reality show, complete with mansions, luxury cars, and designer wardrobes. This lifestyle came to an abrupt halt following their convictions.
Career
Julie’s career began modestly. Born in South Carolina to a Baptist minister and bank teller, she lived a simple life in a trailer before meeting Todd Chrisley. Her early achievements included winning the title of Miss South Carolina in her youth.
Her career trajectory changed dramatically after marrying Todd Chrisley in 1996. While initially supporting Todd’s real estate business behind the scenes, Julie found her spotlight when USA Network launched “Chrisley Knows Best” in 2014. The show followed their family’s lavish lifestyle and quickly gained popularity.
The reality series became Julie’s primary professional identity. As the show gained traction, she expanded her television presence with a cooking show segment called “What’s Cooking with Julie Chrisley” on the USA Network. Her calm demeanor and cooking skills made her a fan favorite, contrasting with Todd’s more dramatic personality.
“Chrisley Knows Best” ran for nine seasons before ending in 2023 amid the couple’s legal troubles. The show’s success also spawned a spin-off called “Growing Up Chrisley” that follows the lives of Chase and Savannah as they enter adulthood, though this too was canceled following the couple’s sentencing.
Income Sources
Julie’s wealth came primarily from several key sources, with reality television providing the most substantial income.
The Chrisleys reportedly earned significant sums per episode of “Chrisley Knows Best.” While exact figures aren’t publicly disclosed, similar reality shows typically pay lead cast members between $10,000 and $50,000 per episode. With multiple seasons and dozens of episodes, this represented a big payday.
Beyond television, Julie used her fame to through sponsorships and endorsement deals on social media. With over 1 million followers on Instagram, she could command premium rates for promotional content.
Julie’s cooking show segment opened additional revenue opportunities through potential cookbook deals and cooking product endorsements. Though less lucrative than the main show, these supplemental income streams helped build her brand.
Before television fame, Julie’s income came from her association with Todd’s real estate business, though her specific role remains unclear. Court documents suggest she participated in financial dealings related to the business from 2007 onward.
The family also earned money from personal appearances, speaking engagements, and other media opportunities that arose from their television fame. However, these income streams dried up following their legal troubles and imprisonment.
Tax Evasion and Jail Time
Julie and Todd’s legal problems began in August 2019 when they were indicted on multiple counts of bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. The charges stemmed from activities dating back to 2007.
According to federal prosecutors, the couple engaged in a scheme where they submitted false bank statements, audit reports, and personal financial statements to Georgia community banks to obtain loans. They then spent the money on luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate, and travel, and used new fraudulent loans to pay back old ones.
The legal saga culminated in June 2022 when a jury found them guilty on all counts. In November 2022, Julie was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, while Todd received a 12-year sentence. Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also sentenced to three years for his role in filing false tax returns.
Their legal troubles didn’t end with the conviction. In 2023, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions but found that the original trial judge had miscalculated Julie’s sentence. The judges ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove Julie was involved in the fraud scheme before 2007.
As a result, in 2023, the couple’s prison sentences were reduced. Todd will now be released on Jan. 22, 2033, and Julie will be released on Oct. 19, 2028. Julie was resentenced in 2023 but still received the same 84-month prison term despite her appeal.
The financial impact of their conviction extends beyond prison time. The couple must pay substantial restitution to the banks they defrauded, estimated at around $17 million. This obligation, combined with legal fees and loss of income, explains the negative net worth figures some sources report.
Lifestyle Before Jail
Before their legal troubles, Julie and Todd lived a showy lifestyle showcased on their reality show. Their primary residence shifted throughout the show’s run, from Georgia to Tennessee.
The family lived in a 30,000-square-foot mansion valued at several million dollars. In 2019, they purchased a home in Brentwood, Tennessee, for a reported $3.4 million. However, these properties have likely been affected by the legal judgments against them.
Their car collection featured luxury vehicles, including Range Rovers, Mercedes, and other high-end automobiles. Todd reportedly spent $300,000 a year on clothes, indicating the lavish spending habits of the family.
Julie’s style included designer clothing, jewelry, and accessories regularly displayed on their television show. The family also enjoyed luxury vacations, fine dining, and other trappings of wealth.
Since their conviction, many of these assets have likely been liquidated or seized to pay legal obligations. The couple’s restitution order means most assets of significant value would need to be sold to satisfy the $17 million judgment against them.
Their current living situation represents a stark contrast to their former lifestyle. Julie began serving her prison sentence at Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, though her location may have changed following her resentencing. Recent reports indicate she has adapted to prison life, with a former inmate describing her transition from ‘quiet’ first days to becoming a ‘card shark’ while incarcerated.
Julie vs. Todd: Net Worth Comparison
Understanding Julie’s financial situation requires examining her wealth with her husband’s. The couple’s finances were deeply intertwined, making it difficult to separate their assets and liabilities.
Todd Chrisley’s net worth has similarly plummeted due to legal troubles. While once believed to be worth millions, Celebrity Net Worth now estimates his net worth at -$18 million. Other sources estimate his worth at approximately $1.5 million before accounting for legal obligations.
The joint liability for fraud and tax evasion affects both Julie and Todd, though in different proportions. The court recognized Julie’s lesser role in the criminal activities, sentencing her to seven years compared to Todd’s 12 years.
Before their legal troubles, the couple’s wealth came primarily from Todd’s real estate business and their shared television ventures. While Todd was portrayed as the primary breadwinner, Julie contributed significantly to their household and business operations.
An important legal distinction emerged during their appeals process. The court found insufficient evidence to prove that Julie was involved in the fraudulent activities before 2007, while Todd’s involvement dated back to 2006. This temporal difference may affect how their financial liabilities are assessed.
Despite being married for almost 30 years, Todd and Julie have not spoken a word to each other in two years since beginning their prison sentences, according to their daughter, Savannah. This separation may eventually impact how their assets and liabilities are managed.
How the Family Is Coping
The legal and financial downfall of Julie and Todd has profoundly affected their family. Their children now face life with both parents incarcerated until the late 2020s.
Daughter Savannah Chrisley has taken on guardianship responsibilities for younger brother Grayson and Todd’s granddaughter Chloe. This sudden shift in family dynamics has forced Savannah to manage family affairs while maintaining her career.
The family continues to pursue legal remedies. Savannah has publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump and claimed her parents’ prosecution was politically motivated. She has expressed hopes for a presidential pardon.
In August 2023, reports emerged that the Chrisley family is teaming up with Scout Productions for a new reality series. The untitled program will document the family’s legal troubles as well as Todd and Julie’s prison sentences.
Conclusion
Julie Chrisley’s net worth story represents a cautionary tale about the consequences of financial impropriety. From a modest beginning in South Carolina to reality TV fame and now imprisonment, her financial journey has experienced extreme highs and lows.
Currently estimated at $1.5 million but burdened by approximately $17 million in restitution obligations, her actual net worth likely sits in negative territory. The legal consequences of bank fraud and tax evasion have erased the wealth accumulated through their reality show and business ventures.
While Julie may eventually rebuild some aspects of her financial life following her release, the magnitude of her legal obligations suggests she may never return to the wealthy lifestyle once showcased on television. Her story serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change when built on fraudulent foundations.
As the Chrisley family adapts to their new reality, public interest in their financial saga continues. Whether viewed as celebrities fallen from grace or as examples of justice served, Julie and Todd Chrisley’s financial story will likely be studied for years to come as a modern American tale of wealth, fraud, and consequences.