Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 8, 2025 · Entertainment

Inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' 22-Year Marriage: Struggles and Triumphs

Joanna, 47, revealed that they had 'non-negotiables from day one' in their relationship, speaking on how to balance fame, their family and their relationship

Famous Fixer Upper Couple Opens Up About Marriage, Fame, and Their Scandalous New Reality Show

In a candid conversation with Don Saladino on his Stronger Podcast, Chip and Joanna Gaines revealed the secret to their successful marriage of over two decades - and it's not as easy as it looks. The HGTV power couple has been married since 2003, but even they admit that their relationship wasn't always smooth sailing.

Joanna, 47, shared with Don that she and her husband had a clear understanding from day one about what was non-negotiable in their marriage - and it wasn't just about sharing household chores or taking turns doing the dishes. "We knew what our priorities were," Joanna explained, "and we made sure to communicate openly about how we felt."

Chip said he would be fine with stepping away from the spotlight, as long as the most important thing - his wife and kids - were still there

But even with this foundation of trust, the couple faced some serious challenges early on in their marriage. In fact, Joanna revealed that they had to deal with financial struggles and uncertainty for the first 12 years of their relationship. "We owned a small store called The Little Shop on Bosque," she explained, "and every Friday we'd worry about whether we'd be able to make ends meet."

However, it was this shared struggle that ultimately brought them closer together. "Every day we showed up, we knew that even if everything else fell apart, we still had each other," Joanna said passionately.

And that's the key to their success: prioritizing their relationship above all else. Chip, 50, echoed his wife's sentiments, revealing that he'd be more than happy to step away from the spotlight and live a simpler life - as long as he could still spend time with Jo and their five beautiful children.

The couple appeared on the Stronger Podcast with Don Saladino where they opened up about their relationship

"I mean, if I'm being honest," Chip said thoughtfully, "if all this fame and success just disappeared tomorrow, and we were back on our farm raising animals, that would be perfect for me. As long as my family was happy, I'd be happy."

But of course, life doesn't work that way - especially when you're a famous couple like Chip and Joanna Gaines. They've got to balance their family time with the demands of running a successful business and producing new TV shows.

Speaking of which, the couple's latest venture has sparked some controversy. Their reality show Back to the Frontier, which airs on the Magnolia Network, has come under fire from conservative Christians who claim that the show promotes "unbiblical" values.

The pair were slammed by some critics for their new series, Back to the Frontier, which they serve as the executive producers of. Pictured in 2021

The show drops three families near the Canadian Rockies and forces them to live like it's the 1880s for eight weeks - no electricity, no running water, and no modern technology. Sounds like a fun adventure, right? But some viewers have expressed outrage over the inclusion of a gay couple on the cast.

Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, a same-sex couple with children, are one of three families featured on the show. In response to the backlash, they took to social media to defend Chip and Joanna's decision to include them on the show.

"We're proud to be part of this journey," Hanna posted, "and we hope that it will help break down some of the barriers and stigmas surrounding same-sex relationships."

Joanna and Chip have been married since 2003 and share five children: Drake, 20, Ella, 18, Duke, 17, Emmie, 15, and Crew, seven. Pictured in 2003

Riggs added his own thoughts on Instagram, thanking Chip and Joanna for standing by their decision. "We know that not everyone will agree with our values," he said, "but we believe that love is love - and that's all that matters."

The controversy has sparked a lot of debate online, with some viewers defending the Gaines' right to include diverse couples on their show. As one fan wrote, "If Chip and Joanna want to showcase a gay family on their show, who are we to judge?"

But others have taken issue with the fact that Chip and Joanna attend an Evangelical church that has been known to express homophobic views.

In any case, it's clear that Chip and Joanna Gaines are still going strong after two decades of marriage - despite the ups and downs they've faced along the way. And as they continue to build their brand and produce new content for their fans, one thing is certain: this power couple will always be willing to take on a challenge or two.

[TheScholarlyNote.com]