Joanna and Chip Gaines: Fun Facts About the Former HGTV Couple

They’ve become household names thanks to their former HGTV show Fixer Upper and their multi-faceted company, Magnolia, and it seems the opportunities are endless for power couple Joanna Gaines and Chip Gaines. While there’s a lot to know about the two, we’ve rounded up a list of some unfamiliar fun facts!

On top of their plethora of projects, including the digital streaming launch of their network in July 2021, Chip and Jo opened a coffee shop, began renovations on a boutique hotel and they’re expanding their empire in Waco, Texas, by “buying uptown property at a rapid rate,” an insider once told Closer Weekly. Magnolia Network later made its cable TV launch in 2022.

Juggling a massive business, parenthood and their longtime marriage can’t be easy, but Chip and Joanna have become multitasking pros since tying the knot on May 31, 2003. However, they credit their bond for all their incredible success, even though the couple says they couldn’t be more different.

“Jo and I are opposites in a lot of ways,” Chip once revealed in a 2019 issue of their magazine, The Magnolia Journal. “That may lead people to draw the conclusion that we must not see eye to eye on things.”

Their arguments are limited, but the renovation guru said nothing is as perfect as it seems. “I think it’s because of our differences, that we’re able to see the best parts of each other,” he shared. “And man, when Jo and I show up on the same team, just as we are, and we let each other draw out that gold in the other, that’s when we really start to tap into the fullness of who we were created to be.”

Aside from their gigs as TV stars, Chip and Joanna are also the parents of their five kids, Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie Kay and Crew. The duo loves being the mom and dad of their children so much, Chip joked he wouldn’t mind having another baby.

“I could see Crew having a little sibling and me being like, ‘I love this woman!’” the doting parent quipped during an appearance on Today in October 2019. Joanna hilariously chimed in, “When I’m 50, Chip’s gonna want more kids … just know, this is gonna be the headline forever: ‘Jo’s pregnant again.’ Chip with children is like [a] business — there’s never too many.” Ha!

Scroll through the gallery below to see fun facts about Chip and Joanna’s marriage.

Chip Knew Right Away Joanna Was The One

Prior to the couple meeting in 2001, Chip used to frequent a Firestone tire shop owned by Joanna’s father, Jerry Stevens. “Her dad made the mistake of putting a pic of the family behind the counter at his shop,” Chip once told Pop Sugar. Once he saw Jo, the TV personality said he returned to the store until he got the chance to meet his future wife.

Joanna Wasn’t Really Into Chip After Their First Date

Although it was love at first sight for him in the automotive shop, Chip’s feelings weren’t reciprocated right away. It actually took Joanna a few months and a couple of dates to open up.

“At first, I couldn’t believe how kind Chip was — he had kind eyes, and made me laugh a lot,” she told Pop Sugar. And even though she gave him a hard time, Chip eventually won her over. “I knew he was the one because I knew I could trust him.”

They Had Different Career Paths

Neither Chip nor Jo ever envisioned being HGTV superstars! In fact, Chip always wanted to be a politician or a baseball player. As for Joanna, she pictured herself with a career in broadcast journalism. The design guru even said she dreamed of having her own cooking show — which is definitely something we’d watch.

Joanna Originally Opened Magnolia Market as Her Own Business

Although it wasn’t long before Chip became a part of the project, it was just Jo at first. The business ended up opening in 2003, but the couple later closed it to focus on their first two children, Drake and Ella. Now, their renovation company consists of Magnolia Homes and Magnolia Realty — amazing!

They Named Their Company After a Magnolia Tree For a Reason

Chip once revealed how their empire got its name on an episode of their former TV show, Fixer Upper. “You know what’s interesting about a magnolia tree?” Chip asked one of his kiddos. “One of mama and I’s first dates I climbed up a magnolia tree and I pulled her off a magnolia bloom and I gave it to her.” So sweet!

They Write Love Letters While They’re Apart

Between running a multi-faceted empire and raising five growing kids, Chip and Jo are always busy — especially when it comes to traveling. So, when the two are apart, Chip and Jo write each other love letters and leave them in their spouse’s overnight bag. “I have a pile of them over the years,” Chip once dished.