7 Shocking Secrets And Latest Updates On Nicole Curtis's Personal Life And $8M Empire In 2025

Nicole Curtis, the powerhouse behind HGTV's *Rehab Addict*, has built a career on resurrecting dilapidated historic homes, but her personal life has often been as tumultuous and complex as the century-old houses she saves. As of December 15, 2025, the self-taught preservationist is riding a new wave of professional success with her return to television, simultaneously navigating the hard-won peace following years of intense legal battles that she has publicly described as her greatest personal setback. This deep dive into Nicole Curtis’s personal world goes beyond the hammer and reclaimed lumber, revealing the full scope of her life as a mother, community advocate, and relentless entrepreneur. From her early days in Michigan to becoming a $8 million net worth reality TV phenomenon, her journey is a testament to grit, a passion for historic structures, and an unyielding commitment to her family and the communities she works in.

Nicole Curtis: Complete Biography and Profile

Known for her signature work boots, baseball cap, and unwavering dedication to saving old houses, Nicole Curtis has become one of the most recognizable faces in the home renovation industry. Her personal story is deeply rooted in her Midwestern upbringing and an innate appreciation for history and classic architecture.

• Full Name: Nicole Curtis
• Date of Birth: August 20, 1976
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 49
• Place of Birth: Lake Orion, Michigan, U.S.
• Parents: Rod Curtis and Joanie Curtis
• Children: Two sons, Ethan and Harper
• Occupation: Licensed Realtor, Interior Designer, Preservationist, Reality Television Personality, Author
• Known For: Host of HGTV's *Rehab Addict* and *Rehab Addict Rescue*
• Education: Self-taught in home restoration and design; attended Lake Orion High School and studied at the University of Michigan and Georgia Institute of Technology.
• Net Worth (Estimated 2025): $8 Million

The Custody Battle: A Personal Setback That Rocked Her Career

While her professional life saw her rescuing homes from the wrecking ball, Nicole’s personal life was consumed by a grueling, years-long child custody dispute. This legal battle with her ex-boyfriend over her younger son, Harper, became a public and emotionally draining ordeal that she has openly discussed as a major "setback" that necessitated a three-year hiatus from television.

The conflict, which began around 2015, centered on visitation schedules and the logistics of co-parenting while Nicole maintained a demanding filming schedule across multiple states, primarily Michigan and Minnesota.

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The emotional toll was immense, leading her to temporarily step away from the relentless pace of her show, *Rehab Addict*. She wanted fans and the public to understand that her life was "not perfect" and that she was fighting a very real, difficult battle behind the scenes. Crucially, the latest reports confirm that she and her ex have signed a custody agreement, bringing their years-long legal fight to a close, which has allowed her to fully refocus on her career and advocacy work.

Balancing Motherhood and Historic Preservation

Nicole is a dedicated mother to two sons, Ethan and Harper. Her first son, Ethan, was born when she was 20, and she often shares how being a young mother shaped her work ethic and her drive for financial independence. The intense focus on her younger son’s custody case highlighted the immense challenge of balancing a high-profile, multi-city career—which demands constant travel and hands-on site work—with the responsibilities of motherhood. This struggle resonates deeply with her audience, adding a layer of authenticity to her public persona that goes beyond just home improvement.

Her work in restoring historic structures is often intertwined with her role as a mother, as she frequently advocates for creating stable, beautiful environments for children and families in struggling communities. The preservation of classic architecture is not just a job; it’s a mission to save the history and soul of a neighborhood for future generations.

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The Triumphant Return: New Projects and Her Production Company

Following her personal hiatus, Nicole Curtis has made a triumphant return to HGTV, signaling a new chapter in her professional life. The latest updates confirm that a new season of *Rehab Addict* is in production and scheduled for release, focusing on rescuing historic homes in both her familiar stomping grounds of Detroit and new locations like Wyoming.

This return is significant, as it shows her ability to overcome major personal obstacles and re-establish her dominance in the home renovation space. Her unique approach—prioritizing salvage picking, original materials, and the historical integrity of a house over modern updates—continues to set her apart from other HGTV stars. She is not just a flipper; she is a passionate preservationist.

The Ransom Gillis House: Her Defining Project

One of the most iconic projects that cemented Nicole’s reputation as a top-tier preservationist is the restoration of the Ransom Gillis House in Detroit's historic Brush Park neighborhood. Built in 1876 and abandoned since the 1960s, the mansion was a symbol of Detroit's decay. The massive, collaborative renovation, which was featured in a special season of *Rehab Addict: Detroit*, involved a partnership with Quicken Loans and was a monumental effort to restore the mansion to its original grandeur. This project alone demonstrated her commitment to urban revitalization and saving structures that others deemed unsalvageable.

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Venturing into Authorship and Entrepreneurship

Beyond television, Nicole is a successful author and entrepreneur. Her New York Times and USA Today bestselling book, *Better Than New: Lessons I've Learned from Saving Old Homes (and How They Saved Me)*, was released in October 2016. The book serves as both an inspirational memoir and a self-help guide, using the stories of the homes she has remodeled to parallel the lessons she’s learned about life, resilience, and personal growth. This venture solidified her status as a relatable public figure and thought leader in the preservation movement.

Beyond the Screen: Advocacy and The Nicole Curtis Foundation

Nicole Curtis’s work is deeply intertwined with her community advocacy, a personal mission that often goes unhighlighted on mainstream television. Her commitment to historic preservation extends to helping local families and fighting against predatory practices like tax foreclosures.

She founded The Nicole Curtis Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to funding projects for local families in need and supporting community revitalization efforts. Her advocacy work includes educating the public and working with non-profits like the Tricycle Coalition, which she partnered with in 2015 to buy Detroiters out of tax foreclosure, fee-free. This hands-on, grassroots approach to community service showcases her dedication to the people of Detroit and other struggling cities.

Her philosophy is simple: saving a house is about saving a piece of history and, more importantly, saving a community. This holistic view of renovation—where the focus is on the people and the past, not just the profit—is the core of the "personal" mission that drives her $8 million empire. As she continues her work into 2025 and beyond, Nicole Curtis remains a powerful voice for historic preservation, a resilient single mother, and a tireless advocate for those who believe that the oldest things are often the most valuable.