The Truth About Ree Drummond's Father: Is 'The Pioneer Woman's' Dad, Bill Smith, Still Alive?

The simple, most current answer is yes: Ree Drummond’s biological father, William Dale “Bill” Smith, is still alive and well as of late 2025. The beloved Food Network star, known globally as The Pioneer Woman, rarely shares details about her immediate family, which often leads to confusion and speculation about her parents, especially given a recent, high-profile family loss. This article provides the definitive, up-to-date information on the status of Ree’s dad and clarifies the common mix-up that has circulated online.

The persistent curiosity surrounding the status of Ree Drummond's father, Bill Smith, is understandable. The Drummond family has experienced several public losses in recent years, most notably the passing of Ree's father-in-law, Chuck "Pa-Pa" Drummond, and her brother, Michael Smith. However, reliable family updates and public records confirm that Dr. Bill Smith, the patriarch of the Smith family, continues to reside in the Bartlesville, Oklahoma, area, close to his famous daughter and her family.

Who is William Dale "Bill" Smith? Ree Drummond's Father's Biography

Ree Drummond, born Anne Marie Smith, grew up in a stable, middle-class household in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, a background that contrasts sharply with the rugged ranch life she would later embrace. Her upbringing was shaped by her parents, William Dale Smith and Gerre Schwert.

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• Full Name: William Dale "Bill" Smith
• Relationship to Ree: Biological Father
• Profession: Retired Orthopedic Surgeon
• Residence: Bartlesville, Oklahoma area
• Spouse (First): Gerre Schwert (Divorced in 1997 after 33 years of marriage)
• Spouse (Current): Patsy Drummond (He remarried after the divorce)
• Children: Ree Drummond (Anne Marie Smith), Betsy Smith, Doug Smith, and Michael Smith (deceased).

Bill Smith was a highly respected orthopedic surgeon in Bartlesville, providing a comfortable life for his family. Ree has often described her childhood as typical and happy, a world away from the cattle ranching of the Drummond dynasty she would marry into. This contrast in her upbringing—from a doctor's daughter to a rancher's wife—is a central theme in her personal story.

Despite her fame, Ree keeps her father’s life private, though she occasionally shares sweet, rare photos of him on her blog and social media. These posts, often around Father's Day, confirm his continued presence in her life and his role as a loving grandfather to her children: Alex, Paige, Bryce, Todd, and foster son Jamar.

The Common Confusion: Bill Smith vs. Chuck Drummond

The most significant reason for the widespread question, "Is Ree Drummond's father still alive?" stems from the passing of her father-in-law, Chuck Drummond. This confusion is amplified by the fact that Bill Smith’s second wife is named Patsy Drummond, further intertwining the Smith and Drummond names.

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Chuck "Pa-Pa" Drummond's Passing

Ree’s husband Ladd Drummond’s father, Chuck Drummond, passed away peacefully in his sleep in November at the age of 79. Chuck was a beloved figure, affectionately known as "Pa-Pa" to the family and fans of The Pioneer Woman show. Ree wrote an emotional and heartfelt tribute to her father-in-law on her blog, which received widespread media coverage.

Because the news of Chuck Drummond’s death was so public and recent, many fans incorrectly assumed the loss was Ree’s biological father, William Smith. The constant media focus on the Drummond family ranch life naturally makes the Drummond name more recognizable to her audience than her maiden name, Smith.

The distinction is clear: Chuck Drummond was Ree’s father-in-law, the patriarch of the ranching family. William "Bill" Smith is Ree’s biological father, the retired surgeon who raised her in town. Bill Smith is still alive; Chuck Drummond is deceased.

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The Smith Family: A Look at Ree's Parents and Siblings

The family dynamic surrounding Ree's parents is another layer of her personal story that has occasionally drawn public interest. Bill Smith and Gerre Schwert were married for 33 years before their divorce in 1997.

The Parents' Later Lives

After their divorce, both of Ree’s parents remarried. Her mother, Gerre, married the family's pastor, Doug Schwert, and still makes occasional appearances alongside Ree, often in group family photos. Her father, Bill Smith, married Patsy Drummond. The fact that he married a "Drummond" further illustrates how the two families are connected and why the confusion about her father’s status is so persistent.

Despite the divorce, Ree appears to maintain a strong relationship with both her parents. She has often expressed gratitude for her childhood and the stable, loving environment they provided in Bartlesville. The family continues to gather, often celebrating major milestones together, which is a testament to their enduring bond.

Tragedy of Her Brother, Michael Smith

Ree’s biological family has also faced a tragedy with the death of her older brother, Michael Smith, in 2021 at the age of 54. Michael was known to fans who followed Ree’s blog in its early days, as she often wrote about her "eccentric" sibling. His passing was a profound loss for the entire Smith family and was publicly acknowledged by Ree, further contributing to the narrative of family loss surrounding The Pioneer Woman.

The Smith family, including Ree’s sister Betsy and brother Doug, remains a tight-knit unit, despite the geographical distance and the public nature of Ree's career. Ree's ability to balance her high-profile media career with deep family connection is a cornerstone of her appeal to her millions of fans.

Conclusion: An Active, Private Patriarch

To put the matter to rest, William Dale “Bill” Smith, Ree Drummond’s father, is alive and enjoying his retirement near his family in Oklahoma. He is a retired orthopedic surgeon who continues to be a private but important figure in Ree's life. The confusion over his status is a direct result of the recent, much-publicized death of her beloved father-in-law, Chuck Drummond, and the earlier passing of her brother, Michael Smith.

Ree Drummond's family life, both the one she grew up in and the one she built on the ranch, is a constant source of interest. While the Drummond ranch is the star of her show, the foundation of her success lies with her parents, Bill Smith and Gerre Schwert, who instilled in her the values that resonate with her audience today. The patriarch of the Smith side continues to thrive, providing a quiet, supportive presence for The Pioneer Woman.