Home News Blitz 3

The Exact Age Joanna Gaines Was When She Had Crew (And Why She Calls It 'A Gift')

• minute read
Contents
The question of "how old was Joanna Gaines when she had Crew" is one of the most frequently searched topics about the *Fixer Upper* star, and the answer is a deeply personal one that marked a significant new chapter for the Gaines family. The beloved co-founder of the Magnolia empire, Joanna Gaines, was 40 years old when she welcomed her fifth child, Crew Gaines, into the world on June 21, 2018. This surprise pregnancy, which came eight years after her fourth child, Emmie Kay, was a pivotal moment that the designer openly described as a "gift" that brought a new sense of spontaneity and relaxation to her life, a sentiment that resonates with many parents embracing motherhood later in life in late 2025. The birth of Crew was not only a major personal event for Joanna and her husband, Chip Gaines, but also a cultural moment that shifted the dynamic of their now-complete family of seven. At an age when many mothers consider their child-rearing years to be winding down, Joanna embraced the "mom at 40" experience, providing a fresh perspective on balancing a massive business enterprise—Magnolia Network, Magnolia Journal, Magnolia Market—with the joys of a new baby. The timing, which coincided with the couple's transition from their original HGTV hit, *Fixer Upper*, allowed the family to slow down and savor the unexpected blessing of their youngest son.

Joanna Gaines: Full Biography and Family Profile

Joanna Gaines, born Joanna Lee Stevens, has built an empire alongside her husband, Chip Gaines, centered on home design, retail, and media. Her journey from a local Waco, Texas, designer to an international lifestyle icon is a testament to her unique style and relatable family life.
  • Full Name: Joanna Lee Stevens Gaines
  • Date of Birth: April 19, 1978
  • Place of Birth: Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
  • Ethnicity: Half-Korean (mother, Nan Stevens) and half-Lebanese/German (father, Jerry Stevens)
  • Husband: Chip Gaines (Married May 31, 2003)
  • Children (5):
    • Drake Gaines (Born 2005)
    • Ella Rose Gaines (Born 2006)
    • Duke Gaines (Born 2008)
    • Emmie Kay Gaines (Born 2010)
    • Crew Gaines (Born June 21, 2018)
  • Key Businesses: Magnolia Market, Magnolia Journal, Magnolia Network, Magnolia Table, Silos Baking Co.
  • Popular Shows: *Fixer Upper*, *Fixer Upper: Welcome Home*, *Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines*
This detailed timeline confirms that Joanna celebrated her 40th birthday on April 19, 2018, just two months before Crew Gaines was born. This places her squarely at 40 years old for the duration of her youngest son's infancy, a fact she has often discussed in interviews and her own publication, *Magnolia Journal*.

The Unexpected Blessing: Crew's Birth at Age 40

The decision to have a fifth child came as a genuine surprise to both Chip and Joanna Gaines, who had previously thought their family was complete. The eight-year age gap between Emmie Kay, the fourth child, and Crew, the fifth, was a significant factor in how the couple approached this new phase of parenting.

A New Dynamic for the Gaines Family

Joanna Gaines has been very open about the difference in her experience of raising a baby at 40 versus her 20s and early 30s. The shift in her professional life played a crucial role. When her four older children—Drake, Ella, Duke, and Emmie Kay—were young, the Gaineses were intensely focused on building their construction and design business, which led to the massive success of *Fixer Upper* on HGTV. "I had four kids when I was in my 20s and early 30s," Joanna once shared. "I was in a different season of life." The early years were characterized by a relentless drive to succeed, often involving strict schedules and a demanding pace. With Crew, however, the family had consciously stepped away from the intense filming schedule of *Fixer Upper*, giving them the freedom to embrace a more relaxed and spontaneous lifestyle.

"If You Ever Want to Feel Young Again, Have a Baby at 40"

One of the most profound takeaways from Joanna's experience as a "mom at 40" is her feeling of rejuvenation. She famously stated, "If you ever want to feel young again, have a baby at 40." This sentiment highlights a crucial LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keyword for the topic: the emotional and physical impact of parenting later in life. For Joanna, having Crew meant realizing the necessity of spontaneity. She noted that with the older children, she was often worried about sticking to a schedule, but with Crew, "schedules kind of go out the door." This newfound ease and flexibility allowed her to truly savor the small moments of infancy and toddlerhood that she felt she might have rushed through with her older kids while building the *Magnolia* brand.

The Impact of the Age Gap on the Gaines Siblings

The significant age difference between Crew and his four older siblings—Drake, Ella, Duke, and Emmie Kay—created a unique and heartwarming family dynamic. The older children, who were all teenagers or pre-teens at the time of Crew's birth, transitioned seamlessly into supportive and loving older siblings.

A Built-in Babysitting Crew

The nearly decade-long gap meant that Joanna and Chip had four very capable, mature, and enthusiastic helpers. The older children were thrilled to have a new baby brother, and the responsibilities of helping to care for Crew became a bonding experience. This dynamic is often cited by parents who choose to have children with a large age gap; the older kids are independent enough to not feel displaced and are often eager to assist with the baby. The siblings' involvement has been a frequent topic on the Gaineses' social media and in their publications. Crew is often seen tagging along with his older brothers, Drake and Duke, or being doted on by his sisters, Ella and Emmie Kay. This family unit, with its wide range of ages, showcases a beautiful example of a blended-age family working together.

A Shift in Parenting Philosophy

Raising a baby later in life, especially with older children already in the house, often leads to a more relaxed parenting style, and Joanna's experience is no exception. With her four older children, she was in the thick of the *Fixer Upper* boom, managing construction, design, and a rapidly expanding business. By the time Crew arrived, the couple had established their empire and achieved a level of financial and professional stability that allowed them to prioritize family time and slow living. This shift is evident in the content they produce for Magnolia Network, which often emphasizes a slower, more intentional pace of life, reflecting their personal experience with their youngest son. The late-in-life addition of Crew Gaines truly reinforced the family-first philosophy that Chip and Joanna Gaines have built their entire brand around. The story of Joanna Gaines having Crew at age 40 serves as an inspiration to many, proving that there is no single right time to grow your family and that unexpected blessings can arrive at any stage of life, bringing with them a renewed sense of purpose and joy.
how old was joanna gaines when she had crew
how old was joanna gaines when she had crew

Detail Author:

  • Name : Amir Gulgowski MD
  • Username : zvolkman
  • Email : andreane.heidenreich@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1974-07-10
  • Address : 342 Schultz Plains Aliyaville, WY 09255
  • Phone : 651.869.6645
  • Company : Larson Ltd
  • Job : Budget Analyst
  • Bio : Dicta sequi laboriosam amet odio ab. Optio iure eos qui eum assumenda itaque occaecati. Autem deleniti esse dolorum mollitia voluptas. Quae sunt fuga expedita reiciendis.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/michelemcdermott
  • username : michelemcdermott
  • bio : Nemo est totam enim porro. Veritatis rerum dolor ex et blanditiis explicabo. Est ut rerum qui quidem.
  • followers : 5263
  • following : 2736

linkedin:

facebook:

Random Posts