Julie Chrisley’s First Husband: Everything to Know About Her Marriage Before Todd

Julie Chrisley's marriage to Todd has played out on reality TV for years. But few fans know she was married once before. So who was Julie Chrisley's first husband, and what happened between them?

Before reality fame and family empire, Julie Chrisley lived a very different life. Long before she became one half of the "Chrisley Knows Best" power couple, she was married to someone else — her high school sweetheart. While less is known about Julie Chrisley's first husband, their early relationship played a quiet role in her journey before Todd.

Julie Chrisley's First Husband Was Her High School Sweetheart

Julie Chrisley’s first husband was Kenneth Wayne Childress. The two reportedly tied the knot in 1991 when Julie was just 18 years old. The marriage took place in South Carolina and was rooted in a long-standing relationship — Childress was her high school sweetheart.

Despite the romantic start, the marriage didn't last. The couple divorced a few years later, though the exact timeline and reasons for their split remain unclear. During their time together, they did not have any children together.

Julie's former sister-in-law told Radar Online that the former couple's history went back to their teenage years and alleged that Julie may have still been involved with Childress when she began dating Todd. However, Julie never publicly addressed those claims.

What Happened to Julie Chrisley's First Husband, Kenneth Wayne Childress?

Sadly, Childress passed away several years after his brief marriage to Julie. According to his obituary, Childress died in 2012 in his home state of South Carolina. Reports also claimed that the cause of death was related to heart complications.

Unlike Julie's second husband, Todd, who built a career in real estate and television, Childress led a quieter life. He worked in the construction industry as a pipe fitter. His obituary makes no mention of children, suggesting he did not have any of his own. However, Childress was survived by several family members at the time of his death, including nieces and nephews.

Julie's Life After Her First Marriage: Finding Love With Todd Chrisley

Following her divorce from Childress, Julie found love again — this time with Todd. The couple married in 1996 and have remained together for more than two decades, building both a family and a public brand.

Before their union, Todd was also married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa Terry, with whom he shares two children — Lindsie and Kyle. After his divorce, Todd married Julie, and together they expanded their family with three children: Chase, Savannah, and Grayson.

The couple's relationship eventually took center stage in their reality show, "Chrisley Knows Best," which debuted in 2014. Since then, viewers have watched their dynamic unfold — from parenting highs and lows to navigating fame.

In a 2022 interview with Us Weekly, Todd opened up about how deeply he felt about Julie from the moment they met. "I knew that I was in love with her the moment she walked into my friend’s house," he said. "It's the only time before and since that anything had ever taken my breath, other than when I walked past a mirror."

While Julie Chrisley’s first husband was a part of her past, her long-standing marriage to Todd has shaped her public life and defined her role in one of reality TV’s most recognizable families.