The Gaines Family: What Chip And Joanna's 5 Kids Are Up To Now (Latest 2024 Updates)

The Gaines family dynamic has been a central part of the Fixer Upper phenomenon and the massive Magnolia empire, but as of late 2024, the children are no longer the little kids fans remember—they are growing up and moving on to major life milestones. From college departures to new television ventures, Chip and Joanna Gaines are navigating a bittersweet new chapter as their five children—Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie Kay, and Crew—begin to leave the nest and forge their own paths.

This deep dive provides the most current, up-to-date information on the Gaines children, detailing their current ages, personalities, and surprising new roles within and outside the family business in Waco, Texas. The beloved stars are opening up about the challenges of watching their kids grow, making this a pivotal and highly relatable time for the design and renovation power couple.

The Gaines Children: A Complete Family Profile (2024)

Chip and Joanna Gaines, who recently celebrated over two decades of marriage, are parents to five children. Their family life is intentionally private but occasionally shared in their Magnolia Journal and through recent interviews, offering a rare glimpse into their current reality.

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• Drake Gaines: Oldest Son
• Current Age: 20
• Status: College Student. Drake was the first of the Gaines children to leave home for college, a milestone Joanna Gaines described as "heartbreaking" yet exciting.
• Role: Drake is stepping into adulthood, with his departure marking the beginning of the "empty nest" phase for the family.
• Ella Rose Gaines: Oldest Daughter
• Current Age: 19
• Status: Joining the Family Business. Ella is set to follow in her parents' footsteps, starring in a brand new Fixer Upper spin-off show.
• Role: She is the first child to formally join the Magnolia Network lineup, focusing on her own creative ventures, which has made her mother, Joanna, admit it will be "harder" to watch her leave home.
• Duke Gaines: Middle Son
• Current Age: 17
• Status: High School Student. Duke is known for his energetic and adventurous spirit, often seen helping out on the family farm.
• Role: As the middle child, he is currently navigating his junior and senior years of high school before his own college departure.
• Emmie Kay Gaines: Younger Daughter
• Current Age: 15
• Status: High School Student. Emmie Kay has a passion for baking and has been seen helping her mother in the kitchen.
• Role: She is often described as the most creative and thoughtful of the girls, frequently involved in the family's more artistic projects.
• Crew Gaines: Youngest Son
• Current Age: 7
• Status: Elementary School Student. Crew is the "baby" of the family, born years after his siblings, giving him a unique relationship with his parents and older siblings.
• Role: He is frequently seen helping his mother in the garden and on the farm, often featured in adorable videos of him "working" alongside his parents.

The Bittersweet Reality: Chip and Joanna on Watching Their Kids Leave the Nest

The theme of "letting go" has dominated Chip and Joanna’s recent public discussions. While they are known for their unwavering commitment to family and their Waco homestead, the reality of their children growing up has led to some candid and emotional interviews.

The first major shift was Drake's departure for college. Joanna shared in the Magnolia Journal that the experience was deeply emotional, calling it one of the "heartbreaking" moments of her life.

The next major milestone is their daughter Ella. With Ella now 19 and actively pursuing her own career path on the Magnolia Network, Joanna admits that watching her daughter follow her dreams is a different kind of challenge. She mentioned that Ella’s move feels "harder" than Drake’s, perhaps because of the mother-daughter bond or the realization that the nest is truly emptying.

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This phase is not just about sadness; it's about shifting the focus of their relationship with their children from one of constant guidance to one of partnership and support. They are actively encouraging their kids to find their own passions, whether that is on a college campus or in front of a camera on their own show.

From Farm Life to the Magnolia Network: The Kids' Surprising Involvement

While Chip and Joanna have always prioritized a normal, grounded life for their children away from the spotlight, the kids are naturally becoming more involved in the massive Magnolia empire as they get older. This involvement is not forced; it seems to be a natural extension of their individual interests and the family's core values of hard work and creativity.

The most significant and recent news is Ella Rose Gaines's new role. The 19-year-old is reportedly set to star in a new Fixer Upper spin-off, making her the first Gaines child to officially join the Magnolia Network lineup.

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This move is a clear sign that the next generation of Gaines is ready to step into the world of renovation and design. It also highlights the family's commitment to nurturing their children's entrepreneurial spirit, providing them with a platform to explore their own creativity under the trusted family brand.

On the other end of the spectrum, the youngest, Crew, is constantly seen participating in the more rustic aspects of the Gaines family life. Videos and photos shared by Joanna often show Crew helping out with gardening, feeding the animals, and generally being Chip's little sidekick on the family farm.

This balance—the oldest going to college, the middle children exploring high school passions, and the youngest enjoying farm life—is a testament to Chip and Joanna's commitment to a diverse and grounded upbringing for each of their kids.

Maintaining Balance: Marriage, Family, and the Magnolia Empire

With five children spanning from a 7-year-old to a 20-year-old in college, Chip and Joanna Gaines have a complex family life that requires constant effort to balance with their multi-million dollar business. They recently shared insights into how they keep their marriage and family life fresh amidst the chaos of running the Magnolia Network, Magnolia Market, and various other ventures.

Their approach focuses on prioritizing their relationship, scheduling time for each other, and ensuring that their children see a strong, unified front. Joanna has spoken about how Chip remains her "life partner," emphasizing that their bond is the foundation of their entire family and business structure.

The children, in turn, are learning valuable lessons about work ethic, design, and family values directly from their parents. The Gaines family's story continues to resonate because it is a genuine portrayal of a modern family navigating growth, change, and the bittersweet reality of watching their children spread their wings. As Drake and Ella embark on their new journeys, the rest of the Gaines kids are quickly following suit, promising an exciting and evolving future for the entire family and the Magnolia brand.