The Real Reasons Hilary Farr Left HGTV's 'Love It Or List It' After 19 Seasons

The sudden and significant departure of design superstar Hilary Farr from the long-running HGTV hit *Love It or List It* sent shockwaves through the home renovation world, leaving fans to wonder about the true motives behind her exit after nearly two decades on the show. As of December 2025, the reasons are clearer than ever, rooted not in drama or conflict, but in a profound desire for personal growth, a need for new professional challenges, and a renewed focus on health and life’s simple joys.

The decision, officially announced in late 2023, marked the end of her iconic, playfully contentious partnership with co-host David Visentin and opened a new chapter in her career, which now includes her own solo series and a focus on her personal design business. This article delves into the updated and confirmed reasons for her exit, her battle with cancer, and what she is doing now.

Hilary Farr: A Full Profile and Biography

Hilary Farr is a British-Canadian interior designer, television host, actress, and entrepreneur who has become one of the most recognizable faces in home renovation television globally. Her career spans decades, beginning long before her HGTV fame, with work in property development and even a brief stint in acting.

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• Full Name: Hilary Elizabeth Labow Farr
• Date of Birth: August 31, 1951
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 74 years old
• Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: British-Canadian
• Spouse: Gordon Farr (m. 1982; div. 2008)
• Children: Two sons
• Primary Career: Interior Designer, Television Personality, Property Developer
• Signature HGTV Show: Love It or List It (2008–2023)
• Current HGTV Show: Tough Love with Hilary Farr
• Professional Ventures: Founder of Hilary Farr Designs, a global interior design company, and a line of home decor products.

The Three Major Factors Behind Her Departure from Love It or List It

Hilary Farr’s exit from *Love It or List It* after 19 seasons and 15 years was not a snap decision but a carefully considered choice driven by a confluence of professional and personal factors. She was remarkably candid in her interviews, citing three primary, interconnected reasons for stepping away from the show that made her a household name.

1. The Need for New Professional Challenges and Growth

One of the most surprising and honest reasons Farr gave was that the show had become, quite simply, "too easy." After nearly 20 seasons of the same format—redesigning a home to convince the owners to "love it" while co-host David Visentin tried to convince them to "list it"—the creative challenge had diminished.

Farr, a designer who thrives on complex problem-solving and unique projects, felt she had mastered the formula. The repetitive nature of the renovations and the constant, albeit playful, banter with David were no longer providing the intellectual and creative stimulation she craved. She felt a deep desire for growth and fresh opportunities, a sentiment common among long-time television professionals looking to evolve their careers.

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2. The Demanding Time Commitment and Desire for Freedom

Filming a show like *Love It or List It* is an incredibly time-consuming and demanding commitment. The show required a relentless schedule of design, construction oversight, and on-camera time, often consuming a massive portion of her life. Farr openly stated that the show was "taking up too much of [her] life."

After dedicating 15 years to the production, she reached a point where she prioritized personal time and the freedom to pursue other passions. This desire for a more flexible schedule allows her to focus on her personal life, her independent design business (Hilary Farr Designs), and other media projects that offer a different, less taxing structure. The sheer longevity of her tenure made the eventual decision to step back an inevitable one, as she had given so many years of her life to the series.

3. A Renewed Perspective Following a Cancer Battle

Perhaps the most poignant and personal reason for her departure relates to her health. Hilary Farr has been open about her private battle with breast cancer, which she was first diagnosed with in 2012, with a recurrence in 2014. Her experience with the illness profoundly changed her outlook on life and her priorities.

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She explained that the diagnosis and subsequent treatment made her "very aware of really wanting to take joy out of every day." This heightened appreciation for life meant she needed to shed commitments that felt draining or obligatory. Leaving the intense production schedule of *Love It or List It* was a direct result of this new, health-focused perspective, ensuring her remaining years are filled with happiness and purpose, rather than the stress of a demanding television schedule.

During this difficult time, she credited her on-screen rival and off-screen friend, David Visentin, for being a source of support, reinforcing that their sibling-like relationship extended far beyond the cameras.

The Future: Hilary Farr’s New Projects and Legacy

While she may have listed *Love It or List It*, Hilary Farr is certainly not listing her career in television. Her departure from the show was a strategic move to focus on projects that align more closely with her current goals and offer a deeper creative outlet.

Tough Love with Hilary Farr

Farr is currently starring in her own solo HGTV series, *Tough Love with Hilary Farr*. This show allows her to tackle design challenges in a much more hands-on and personal way, offering clients her signature "tough love" advice to help them overcome their design paralysis. The format is a significant departure from the competitive nature of her previous show, allowing her to focus entirely on the design process and the emotional connection homeowners have to their spaces.

Personal Design and Home Renovations

With a lighter filming schedule, Farr has been able to dedicate more time to her personal life and her own properties. She has shared updates on the renovation of her own homes, including a cottage transformation and a kitchen remodel in her Toronto residence. These personal projects showcase her elegant and endearingly quirky design style, which blends international influences with timeless appeal. Her design philosophy, which she also applies through her company, Hilary Farr Designs, centers on creating spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional.

The David Visentin Dynamic

Fans often speculate about the state of her relationship with David Visentin, given their on-screen rivalry. Both hosts have confirmed that their relationship is strictly platonic and deeply supportive, describing their dynamic as being like "siblings." Their constant bantering was a key element of the show's success, and their friendship is expected to continue despite their professional paths diverging. Visentin continues with *Love It or List It*, now alongside a new designer, while Farr explores her solo ventures.

Hilary Farr’s Lasting Impact on HGTV

Hilary Farr’s legacy on HGTV is secure. Over 15 years, she completed hundreds of renovations, transforming countless homes and inspiring millions of viewers with her sophisticated, practical, and often bold design choices. Her decision to leave *Love It or List It* was an act of self-care and professional evolution, demonstrating that even at the peak of success, it is vital to prioritize health, joy, and the pursuit of new challenges.

For fans, her departure is bittersweet, but her continued presence on television through *Tough Love with Hilary Farr* and her active engagement in the design world ensure that her "tough love" and impeccable taste will remain a fixture in the home renovation landscape for years to come.