The Definitive Answer: 5 Shocking Reasons Why Hilary Farr Left 'Love It Or List It' After 19 Seasons

The question has been on every HGTV fan's mind since late 2023: What exactly happened to Hilary Farr on Love It or List It? After nearly two decades of her iconic, witty banter with co-host David Visentin and her transformative home renovations, the beloved British-Canadian designer officially stepped away from the show. The definitive answer, as of the latest updates in late 2024 and early 2025, is that Farr chose to leave the long-running series, citing a deeply personal desire for a less demanding schedule, new creative outlets, and a focus on her well-being following a private health battle.

Her departure marks the end of an era for the hit HGTV show, which she co-hosted for 19 seasons and over 250 episodes. While the news was a shock to the show's massive fanbase, Hilary Farr has been very open about her reasons, which extend far beyond simple career burnout. She is not retiring from television but is instead pivoting to projects that offer her more creative freedom and a healthier work-life balance.

Hilary Farr: Complete Designer and Television Host Biography

Hilary Elizabeth Farr (née Labow) is a British-Canadian interior designer, businesswoman, and television host, best known for her role on Love It or List It. Her career is extensive, spanning decades in various creative industries before she became a household name on HGTV.

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• Full Name: Hilary Elizabeth Farr (née Labow)
• Date of Birth: August 31, 1951
• Age (as of late 2024/early 2025): 73
• Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: British-Canadian
• Early Career: Farr began her career in London, England, where she grew up. She initially studied at the Royal Ballet School before shifting her focus. She worked as an actress and set designer, with credits on films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and various other productions.
• Design Career: She moved to Los Angeles and started renovating homes, eventually establishing her design firm, Hilary Farr Designs, which focuses on international residential and commercial projects.
• HGTV Debut: She became the co-host of Love It or List It in 2010.
• Current Status: Left Love It or List It in late 2023. Currently hosts Tough Love with Hilary Farr on HGTV.

The 5 Major Reasons Behind Hilary Farr’s Emotional Exit

Hilary Farr’s decision to leave the show was not sudden but a carefully considered choice made after nearly two decades of a grueling production schedule. Her public statements revealed several interconnected reasons that ultimately led her to step away from the hit HGTV series.

1. A Desire for "New Challenges" and Creative Freedom

The primary reason Farr gave for her departure was a simple, yet profound, need for change. After 19 seasons, she felt the format of the show had become creatively limiting. She explicitly stated to a major publication that the show was "becoming boring" and that she didn't want to be "bored." This desire for fresh artistic expression and new projects was a significant driving force. Farr is an interior designer at her core, and the repetitive nature of the show’s premise—renovate a home to make the owners "love it" versus David Visentin’s attempt to make them "list it"—had run its course for her.

2. The Grueling Time Commitment and Work-Life Balance

Filming a popular, long-running reality show like Love It or List It demands an immense amount of time. Farr noted that the show was "taking up too much of my life," which she felt was a common issue for people in their 60s and 70s looking to reclaim their personal time. The constant travel, planning, and on-camera time required a level of commitment that she was no longer willing to sustain, preferring to dedicate more time to her family, personal design projects, and travel.

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3. Her Private Battle with Breast Cancer

A deeply personal and significant factor in her decision was her health journey. Hilary Farr has been in remission from breast cancer since 2022, a battle she kept private for many years. She was first diagnosed in 2012, undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation. Over the next decade, she had two more lumpectomies. This health scare, and the subsequent desire to prioritize her well-being, gave her a new perspective on her demanding career. While she has shut down rumors that her health was the *sole* reason for her leaving, it undoubtedly played a role in her decision to seek a less stressful and time-consuming schedule.

4. The Opportunity to Host Her Own Spin-Off Series

Hilary Farr has not left HGTV entirely. She is currently the host of her own solo spin-off series, Tough Love with Hilary Farr. This new series provides her with the creative control and "new challenges" she was seeking. The show focuses on helping families navigate difficult personal and design challenges in their homes, allowing Farr to delve into deeper, more complex issues than the standard renovation format of Love It or List It. This solo venture allows her to be the undisputed star and creative lead, a significant shift from her co-hosting role.

5. The Natural Progression of the David Visentin Rivalry

The playful, yet often repetitive, rivalry between Hilary Farr and real estate agent David Visentin was the heart of Love It or List It. However, after nearly two decades, the dynamic had become a formula. While both hosts maintain they are great friends in real life and share a deep, familial bond, the on-screen schtick had reached its natural conclusion for Farr. Leaving the show allows her to move beyond the "love it or list it" dichotomy and focus purely on her design expertise and personal brand.

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What is Hilary Farr Doing Now? Her Exciting New Chapter

Since her official departure from the series, Hilary Farr has been busier than ever, proving that her decision was about shifting focus, not slowing down. She is deeply involved in several new and ongoing creative endeavors.

Focus on ‘Tough Love with Hilary Farr’

Her primary television focus is her new show, where she tackles more intense design and family issues. This series is a testament to her desire for more meaningful, in-depth storytelling and challenging projects.

Personal Home Renovations and Design Projects

Farr is also spending significant time on her personal properties. She has been chronicling the extensive renovation of her 21-year-old Toronto home, which has included a major kitchen overhaul. Additionally, she has been working on transforming a North Carolina cottage into a custom-built dream home, showcasing her personal design flair outside of the constraints of a client's budget and style. These personal projects allow her to connect with her audience on a more intimate level, sharing her own design process.

The Future of 'Love It or List It'

While the show continues, it has done so with a new face. HGTV announced that designer and host Page Turner (known from the show Flip or Flop Nashville) would be stepping in to co-host alongside David Visentin for the show's 20th season. While fans continue to miss the classic chemistry of the original duo, the show's continuation ensures that the "love it or list it" format will live on, even as its original star moves on to her next great challenge.