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The Definitive Answer: Who Was Chip Gaines' "First Wife" Before Joanna? The Surprising Truth Behind The Rumor

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The question of "Who was Chip Gaines' first wife?" is one of the most persistent and curious rumors surrounding the mega-popular *Fixer Upper* star, and as of December 19, 2025, the answer remains a firm and simple one: there was no first wife. Despite the endless online speculation and clickbait articles suggesting a hidden past, Chip Gaines has only ever been married once, and that is to his business partner, co-star, and soulmate, Joanna Gaines. The widespread claims that he had a marriage prior to meeting Joanna have been thoroughly debunked by multiple reliable sources, but the true story of his pre-Joanna love life is far more intriguing than the rumor itself. This article will finally put the long-running speculation to rest, detailing the origins of the "first wife" myth, clarifying the truth about Chip’s relationship history, and providing a complete profile of the man behind the Magnolia empire. We will also explore the surprising revelation of the woman Chip was "hell-bent" on marrying before fate intervened and led him to Joanna.

Chip Gaines: A Complete Biographical Profile

Chip Carter Gaines, the energetic and charismatic half of the *Fixer Upper* duo, has built an empire on the foundation of family and home renovation. His journey from a college student flipping houses to a global television and retail mogul is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit.

  • Full Name: Chip Carter Gaines
  • Date of Birth: November 14, 1974
  • Age (as of 2025): 51 years old
  • Place of Birth: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
  • Hometown: Dallas, Texas, USA (Raised in the Dallas area)
  • Education: Baylor University (BBA in Marketing, 1998)
  • Occupation: Television Personality, Contractor, Author, Entrepreneur, Producer
  • Known For: Co-starring on HGTV’s *Fixer Upper* and running the Magnolia empire with his wife, Joanna Gaines.
  • Spouse: Joanna Gaines (née Stevens)
  • Date of Marriage: May 31, 2003
  • Children: Five (Crew, Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie Kay)
  • Notable Businesses: Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market at the Silos, Magnolia Network, *Magnolia Journal*.

Chip met Joanna Stevens in 2001 while she was working at her father’s tire shop in Waco, Texas. They married two years later in 2003, making Joanna Gaines his first and only wife.

The Truth: Joanna Gaines Is Chip’s Only Wife

The intense scrutiny that comes with celebrity often breeds unfounded rumors, and the speculation about Chip Gaines’s alleged "first wife" is a prime example. The core truth is that Joanna Gaines is Chip’s first and only wife.

This claim has been widely and consistently debunked by multiple sources over the years. The couple’s marriage history is straightforward: they met in 2001, married in 2003, and have been together ever since, building their family, their business, and their television careers.

One of the persistent, though vague, rumors centered on a woman named "Kelley." However, reports confirm that while Chip has had relationships before Joanna, Kelley was never his wife. The confusion often stems from the fact that Chip was a known house-flipper and entrepreneur in Waco well before *Fixer Upper* premiered in 2013, leading some to speculate about his past life and relationships.

The couple themselves have always presented a unified front, often sharing intimate details of their courtship and early marriage struggles—details that would be significantly different if a previous marriage and divorce were part of the narrative. Their public honesty about their relationship has only served to reinforce the fact that their journey began with each other.

The Untold Story: The Woman Chip Was "Hell-Bent" on Marrying

While the "first wife" rumor is false, there is a fascinating element to Chip Gaines's pre-Joanna love life that adds a surprising layer of depth to his story. Chip himself has openly discussed a relationship he had before meeting Joanna, revealing he was deeply committed to marrying another woman.

In a 2018 issue of the *Magnolia Journal*, Chip detailed how, before he met Joanna, he was "hell-bent" on marrying another woman. This woman, whose name he did not disclose, was a significant part of his life during his college years at Baylor University.

Chip wrote candidly about his intense focus on this relationship, stating that he was so determined to marry her that he "had the ring, the date, and the place." He described his life at the time as being on a "track" toward marriage with this person.

However, fate, or perhaps a change of heart, intervened. The relationship eventually ended, and Chip found himself single and disillusioned with his previous plans. He admits that if that earlier relationship had worked out, he would never have met Joanna.

This revelation is the closest thing to a "secret past" that Chip Gaines has, and it provides a compelling answer to the curiosity behind the "first wife" question. It was a serious, near-marriage commitment, but it was not a legal marriage. This story highlights the serendipitous nature of his eventual meeting with Joanna, who he encountered shortly after this earlier relationship ended.

The True Marriage Timeline: Chip and Joanna Gaines

To fully understand why the "first wife" narrative is a myth, it’s important to look at the verifiable timeline of Chip and Joanna’s relationship, which is a cornerstone of the Magnolia brand and their public image.

  • Late 1990s: Chip is flipping houses while attending Baylor University. He is involved in the serious relationship with the woman he intended to marry.
  • 2001: Chip meets Joanna Stevens. He first saw her in a photo at her father's tire shop, where she was working. He reportedly kept returning to the shop until he finally met her.
  • 2003: Chip and Joanna marry on May 31, 2003, in Waco, Texas. This is Chip Gaines’s first and only marriage.
  • Post-2003: The couple starts their renovation business, which eventually becomes Magnolia Homes.
  • 2013: *Fixer Upper* premieres on HGTV, launching them into global stardom.
  • Present (2025): Chip and Joanna are celebrating over two decades of marriage, five children, and a thriving business empire.

The persistent rumor of a "first wife" is ultimately a misinterpretation or an exaggeration of Chip's past serious relationships before he met the woman who would become his permanent partner. Joanna Gaines is not only his wife but his co-founder, creative director, and the mother of his children, solidifying her status as the singular Mrs. Gaines in his life. The truth is often less dramatic than the rumor, but in the Gaines’s case, the story of how they almost didn't meet is compelling enough on its own.

who was chip gaines first wife
who was chip gaines first wife

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