Todd Chrisley and his wife adopted one of their grandchildren to help them live their best life. However, now that the couple is serving prison time, their children are left to fend for themselves.
“Chrisley Knows Best” is a reality series that follows the lives of Todd Chrisley, his wife Julie, and their family. The couple shares five children, including two stepchildren and two grandchildren — one of whom they adopted. Here’s what we know about Todd’s offspring and grandkids and what they look like today.
Todd Chrisley on season 8 of “Chrisley Knows Best” on November 5, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Todd’s Family and His Issues with the Law
Julie’s 55-year-old husband, born on April 6, 1969, in Georgia, Massachusetts, is a producer and actor. Besides his latest reality show, he is well-known for starring in “Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens” (2016) and in “Growing Up Chrisley” three years later.
In 2017, he released another reality show called “According to Chrisley.” Before marrying Julie, Todd married Teresa Terry. He and Julie tied the knot on May 25, 1996, and have three children together.
On “Chrisley Knows Best,” a show that premiered on March 11, 2014, the businessman and his family were followed by cameras inside their 30,000-square-foot Atlanta mansion. Todd has been quite open about his family’s life, once revealing, “In a year, we sometimes spend $300,000 or more, just on clothing.”
“Chrisley Knows Best” season 1 cast: Savannah, Todd, Chase, Grayson, Julie, Kyle Chrisley, with Lindsie Chrisley Campbell on October 2, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
However, his financial situation has been precarious for years. Despite making big financial claims, he allegedly only had $55 in a checking account and $100 in cash in 2014. His bankruptcy documents revealed that he spent money outrageously and had debt he couldn’t control.
Over the previous years, he faced several lawsuits and judgments before filing a petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in August 2012. Although he listed over $4.2 million in assets, his debts totaled $49.4 million.
Unfortunately, his legal issues didn’t end there. In 2022, Todd and his wife were indicted for federal tax evasion and bank fraud. The couple went to prison in January 2023 and are serving a combined 19-year sentence.
Julie and Todd Chrisley driving on season 8 of “Chrisley Knows Best” on November 4, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Since starting his prison term, Todd had not spoken to the media until the end of 2023. According to the reality star, he recorded how things were going for him while serving time. He claimed to have recordings of prison staff saying he needed to be humbled.
Todd Chrisley on season 8 of “Chrisley Knows Best” on November 5, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
The guards also allegedly discussed putting him in “diesel therapy” and “shackles.” They threatened to make him ride around the country that way before returning as a more humble man.
Todd Chrisley expressing himself on season 8 of “Chrisley Knows Best” on November 3, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
According to Todd, the staff felt he was acting as if he were still living in one of his mansions. The reality star complained about living in a disgusting prison with food that had been outdated by a year. He also claimed, “They’re literally starving these men to death here.”
Julie’s husband said he wasn’t sure if the men consumed a thousand calories daily. Allegedly, the prison had rats and squirrels in the food storage area, which they tried to remedy by reportedly covering it with plastic.
Todd also claimed the staff tore out the ceiling due to black mold, but a dead cat dropped down onto the food. He said the media wasn’t allowed inside the prison, not because it was a “breach of security,” but because they didn’t want the public to know what was happening.
By October 2024, the reality star was still serving time for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the US. While serving his sentence, he faced additional issues inside the facility.
Todd Chrisley on episode 810 of “Chrisley Knows Best” on August 27, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
According to his attorney, Jay Surgent, the reality star complained about being removed from his volunteer assistant role to the chaplain at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola. He’d held the position for almost two years, overseeing Christian, Jewish, and Muslim services.
Surgent revealed that his client is “disappointed and emotionally offended” after being removed “without cause” from this role. The lawyer also shared that Todd no longer had access to the chapel office where he volunteered.
Todd Chrisley on episode 809 “Let’s Talk About Sex, Grayson” on his reality show on August 17, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Surgent explained that his client was removed from his position because he was “communicating with people that had been admitted into” the prison’s Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). The attorney stated there was no “real reason” for the dismissal.
However, they believed the dismissal happened because RDAP participants have “access to the outside.” Surgent said his client “befriended many inmates” who “looked to him for advice and guidance” during his time in prison.
Todd Chrisley on episode 807 “Hot Meals and Dirty Deals” of his reality show on August 6, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
The lawyer continued, “They also look for him to discuss their particular situations or any emotional problems they may be having and coordinate the religious services some of these inmates would attend.” In his role, Todd had the “ability to participate in his faith and to help other people with their faith.”
Surgent said this was “a big part” of Todd’s life and it really “meant a lot” to him. Although he only performed his volunteer role for a short time, the attorney stated that the reality star “always represented to the administration” that he “was doing an exemplary job in his position.” Meanwhile, as he and his wife serve time, their children continue with life outside.
Julie and Todd Chrisley on season 8 of “Chrisley Knows Best” on August 17, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Lindsie Chrisley
Lindsie is Todd’s child with his first wife and someone he accused of being the “catalyst” in the family’s tax evasion charges. She is also well-known for leaving the family’s reality series before becoming estranged.
Lindsie Chrisley posing with her dog in a post dated August 12, 2024, in Canton, Georgia | Source: Instagram/lindsiechrisley
During an August 2021 interview, her father said, “There are certain things in life that I don’t think you get past. And unfortunately, I think that’s where Lindsie and I are.” He also admitted, “I think the hurt will always be there. But I’m not looking to intrude in Lindsie’s life.”
Jackson Campbell posing with the family dog | Source: Instagram/lindsiechrisley
The family patriarch added, “We’re leading a very full life, and I wish nothing but the greatest joys and blessings for Lindsie and for [her son] Jackson.” During her 2022 podcast episode of her show, “The Southern Tea,” she said her divorce from Will Campbell helped her reconnect with her father.
She shared this information while trying to squash rumors that they reunited because Todd and his wife were convicted of crimes. Lindsie said, “I can confidentially tell you there was no reconnection due to any legal reasons whatsoever. Nothing like that ever transpired.”
Jackson Campbell posing at home | Source: Instagram/lindsiechrisley
After filing for divorce from her husband, she later discovered that her father had sent her an Instagram message. In it, he expressed his love and support after hearing about her filing. Initially, she had blocked him on the platform, which is why she didn’t know about the message he left.
Savannah, Julie, Todd, Chase, and Lindsie Chrisley pose for a portrait during the NBCUniversal Summer Press Day on April 1, 2016, in Westlake Village, California | Source: Getty Images
After reading it, she decided to reconcile with him. “So, that’s really more on how we were able to reconnect. So to answer that question in short, it was definitely because of my divorce,” she added.
Lindsie also welcomed her father’s first grandson, Jackson. In May 2022, she uploaded a photo of herself posing with the boy. In a touching caption, she wrote, “Family is what brings out the most emotion in us. When Love is deep & strong, our differences don’t matter. All that matters is the truth, & that will set you free.”
Jackson Campbell shows off his T-shirt | Source: Instagram/lindsiechrisley
She continued supporting her legally embattled father and stepmother, writing, “Papa & Mimi, we love you, we stand with you, trust you, believe you, & are praying for you. I know you are innocent, I pray that the system does not fail our family & the jury sees the truth.”
Lindsie concluded, “To those who’ve haunted our family for years, I pray that you will be seen & we will be heard. Please pray for my parents, our grandmother, us as their children, their grandchildren & our legal teams. ❤️.”