You probably think you know the Chrisleys. For ten seasons on USA Network, Todd Chrisley was the guy with the perfectly coiffed hair and a sharp-tongued quip for every occasion. But if you try to sketch out the chrisley family tree on a napkin, you’re going to run out of ink fast. It is messy. It’s complicated. And as of 2026, it looks radically different than it did when the show first aired in 2014.
Between the high-profile federal convictions, the surprising 2025 presidential pardons, and the shifting loyalties of the adult children, the branches of this tree are practically moving in real-time.
The Roots: Faye and the Early Years
To understand Todd, you have to look at where he came from. He wasn't born into the Nashville-adjacent glitz we saw on TV. He was born in Georgia and raised in Westminster, South Carolina. His mother, Elizabeth "Nanny Faye" Chrisley, is the undisputed fan favorite of the franchise, but her life wasn't always gambling trips and comedic timing. She worked 60-hour weeks in a textile mill to keep things afloat.
Todd’s father, Gene Raymond Chrisley, was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Korean War. He passed away in 2012, just before the family hit the big time. Todd also has two brothers: Randy and Derrick. Sadly, Derrick died in infancy back in 1971, a tragedy the family rarely discusses on air. Randy, on the other hand, has had his own public struggles with health and legal issues, though he mostly stayed out of the Chrisley Knows Best spotlight.
The First Marriage: Teresa Terry
Most casual viewers forget that Julie isn't Todd's first wife. He married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Terry, in 1990. That marriage lasted about six years, and it was... intense. From that union, the first two branches of the chrisley family tree emerged: Lindsie and Kyle.
Lindsie Chrisley (The Estranged One)
Lindsie, born in 1989, was the first Chrisley child to graduate college. For years, she was the "responsible" one until a massive falling out with Todd and Julie led to her exit from the show in Season 5. Things got ugly. Allegations of extortion and "leaked" tapes flew back and forth. Even after Todd and Julie were pardoned in May 2025, the rift remained. By July 2025, Lindsie even dropped the "Chrisley" name on social media, going by Lindsie Landsman (her boyfriend David’s surname), signaling a final break from the family brand.
Kyle Chrisley (The Redemption Arc?)
Kyle, born in 1991, has had a rocky road. He’s struggled with drug addiction and bipolar disorder, leading to years of estrangement. He is the biological father of Chloe Chrisley, but his struggles meant he couldn't care for her. While he celebrated his parents' release in 2025, his personal life remains volatile; he was arrested in late 2025 on multiple charges, including domestic assault and public intoxication.
The Julie Era: A New Legacy
Todd married Julie Hughes in 1996. Julie, the daughter of a Baptist minister, brought a calmer energy to the household, though her 2022 conviction for bank fraud and tax evasion proved she was deeply involved in the family’s financial "maneuvering." Together, they had three children: Chase, Savannah, and Grayson.
- Chase Chrisley: Born in 1996, Chase was always the "mini-Todd." He’s tried his hand at various business ventures and real estate. After his parents went to prison, he stepped up to help keep the family together, though he’s faced his own relationship dramas, including a very public broken engagement with Emmy Medders.
- Savannah Chrisley: Born in 1997, she became the de facto head of the household during her parents' incarceration. She took legal guardianship of her younger siblings, Grayson and Chloe. Savannah has used her platform, specifically her Unlocked podcast, to fight for prison reform and her parents' freedom. She even spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
- Grayson Chrisley: The youngest biological son, born in 2006. He literally grew up on television, though he’s admitted in recent interviews that he doesn't actually watch the show. He says it’s weird to watch his own childhood as "content."
The Adoption of Chloe
Chloe is the branch that often confuses people. She is Kyle’s biological daughter, making her Todd and Julie’s granddaughter. However, Todd and Julie officially adopted her in 2016. Because of this, she is legally their daughter and the sister of Chase, Savannah, and Grayson.
The adoption was a major point of contention during the 2022 trial. Savannah revealed in 2025 that the adoption was only fully finalized just a month or two before Todd and Julie reported to prison. They did it to ensure that Chloe’s biological mother, Angela Johnson, couldn't regain custody while they were away. It worked, but it left Savannah—at just 27 years old—raising a pre-teen and a teenager simultaneously.
Where the Tree Stands in 2026
The chrisley family tree is currently in a state of "reconstruction." With Todd and Julie's full presidential pardons in May 2025, the family has returned to the public eye with a new series, The Chrisleys: Back to Reality. But the dynamics have shifted. Savannah is no longer just the "pageant queen" daughter; she's a woman who ran a household under extreme duress.
Current Status of the Members:
- Todd & Julie: Pardoned and living back in the public eye, though dealing with massive civil and regulatory hurdles.
- Nanny Faye: Still the backbone of the family, continuing to appear in their digital content.
- The "Great Divide": Lindsie remains largely separated from the main unit, while Kyle fluctuates between reconciliation and legal trouble.
- The "Core Three": Chase, Savannah, and Grayson remain a tight-knit unit, having survived the years their parents were away.
Honestly, the Chrisley saga is a reminder that a family tree isn't just a list of names. It’s a map of who stayed when things got bad. If you're looking to follow the family's next moves, pay attention to Savannah’s social media and their new Lifetime series. That’s where the real "unfiltered" updates are happening these days.
To stay truly updated on the legal side of things, you can look into the ABA Ethics 2026 Mandate regarding "Domestic Proxy Risk," as the Chrisley kids' social media footprints are now being used as case studies for how families navigate post-pardon life in a digital economy.
Next Steps:
- Compare the early seasons of Chrisley Knows Best with their 2025 return to see how the family roles have flipped.
- Check out Savannah’s Unlocked podcast for the most recent updates on Chloe and Grayson’s transition back to living with their parents.
---