Julie Chrisley, known primarily for her role on reality television, faces a stark financial reality. Despite fame and a prominent public presence, her net worth is currently negative $18 million. This steep debt is tied to criminal convictions involving her and her husband, Todd Chrisley, for a large-scale tax evasion and fraud scheme. Following their legal troubles, they were ordered to repay $17 million to financial institutions they deceived.
Their public image was built on the success of the reality show Chrisley Knows Best , which aired on USA Network from 2014 until 2023. The series showcased the lives of the Chrisley family, highlighting their affluent lifestyle and personal dynamics. However, the 2022 criminal conviction cast a long shadow over their reputation. Julie was sentenced to seven years in prison, while Todd received a twelve-year term.
Julie Chrisley (Image via Getty)
Roots and Early Years
Julie Chrisley was raised in Winchester, South Carolina. Her upbringing was modest, as she was the daughter of a Baptist minister who also worked as a mechanic, and her mother was a bank teller. Julie’s family lived in a trailer, embodying a simple lifestyle. She also had a brother who tragically died by suicide at 25 years old, a loss that marked her early life deeply.
The Path to Fame and Family Life
Julie’s life took a dramatic turn in the early 1990s when she entered a relationship with Todd Chrisley, a real estate broker who was then married with two children. They married in 1996, and shortly after, Julie and Todd welcomed their first child together, a son named Chase.
Todd’s personality has been described by family members as controlling, easily irritated, and germophobic. Before Julie, Todd was married to Teresa Terry, his high school sweetheart, with whom he had two children. Julie and Todd expanded their family with three children together. Todd has publicly addressed rumors about his sexuality with humor, stating, “I’m flattered that people think I can get laid on both ends,” and noting his wife’s amusement at the speculation.
While Todd was once a highly successful figure in real estate, making millions, financial troubles later surfaced. He accumulated substantial debt, at one point reportedly owing banks approximately $49 million and eventually declaring bankruptcy.
Julie is a breast cancer survivor, a journey that reshaped her outlook on life. She emphasizes the importance of cherishing the moment and not sweating the small things, values she tries to pass on to her family. Julie’s interests include cooking, which she shared with audiences on her own show, What’s Cooking with Julie Chrisley , also broadcast on USA Network.
Julie Chrisley (Image via Getty)
Reality TV Stardom and Spin-Off Ventures
Chrisley Knows Best debuted in 2014, focusing on the lives of Todd, Julie, and their children in affluent suburban Georgia. The show initially took place in Roswell and Alpharetta before relocating primarily to Nashville, Tennessee, in its fourth season. The series enjoyed success, earning a renewal for a sixth season in 2017 and receiving a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination in 2016 for Best Unstructured Reality Show.
In 2019, a spin-off titled Growing Up Chrisley premiered, centering on the couple’s children Chase and Savannah. However, the spin-off was short-lived, ending following the legal convictions of Julie and Todd.
Julie also made appearances on popular talk shows like The View , Today , Steve Harvey , The Real , FabLife , and even Hollywood Medium .
A Complex Family Dynamic
The Chrisleys are a blended family of five children. Todd’s oldest daughter, Lindsie Chrisley Campbell, is from his first marriage to Teresa Terry. Lindsie’s relationship with her father has been rocky, especially after she eloped with Will Campbell in 2012 without Todd’s approval, leading to estrangement before a 2016 reconciliation. Lindsie last appeared on the family’s reality show during its fifth season. Her attorney has stated that she has faced ongoing harassment and threats from the family, which led to her distancing herself since 2017.
Kyle Chrisley, Todd’s son with Teresa, has struggled with addiction and bipolar disorder. He appeared briefly on Chrisley Knows Best but later retreated from public life following relapses. As of 2019, Kyle announced sobriety, and his daughter Chloe occasionally appears on the show, being raised by her grandparents.
The couple’s children together include Chase Chrisley, often portrayed as involved in various get-rich-quick schemes, and Savannah Chrisley, a former beauty pageant winner and founder of a cosmetics line called SASSY, which debuted on HSN.
Todd’s mother, “Nanny” Faye Chrisley, is also a staple on the show. Known for her love of gambling and drinking, she often expresses frustration with Todd’s attempts to control her activities in the name of protection.
Legal Troubles: Arrest and Indictment
On August 14, 2019, the Chrisleys’ legal battles became public when both Todd and Julie were arrested in Atlanta. They faced multiple charges, including tax evasion, wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy. Prosecutors alleged that between 2007 and 2012, the couple used their company, Chrisley Asset Management, to obtain bank loans by submitting false financial documents.
Julie Chrisley (Image via Getty)
The indictment outlined how the couple fabricated bank statements and inflated their net worth to secure millions in loans. For example, in November 2007, they allegedly submitted a fake Merrill Lynch bank statement showing a balance of over $776,000, even though they did not hold such an account at that time. Later, Todd encouraged his employee to increase the fictional balance to over $4 million. Actual records showed they never had more than $17,000 in that account.
The couple was also accused of evading federal taxes, with their accountant becoming a co-defendant in the case. Todd and Julie claimed the wrongdoing was orchestrated by a former trusted employee without their knowledge. They posted $100,000 in unsecured bonds and were restricted in their travel, limited to Atlanta and California only when filming.
Additional Charges and Trial Proceedings
In February 2022, new charges were added, accusing the couple of hiding $2 million in unpaid taxes related to income from their TV show through a production company called 7C’s Productions. This updated indictment included one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tax fraud, along with five counts of bank fraud.
Both Julie and Todd pleaded not guilty as their federal trial began in May 2022.
Real Estate Ventures and Financial Decline
The Chrisleys have made several high-profile real estate purchases. In 2016, they paid $1.6 million for a home in Nashville, Tennessee. By June 2019, they purchased an even more expensive $3.4 million home outside Nashville. However, amid mounting legal and financial issues, they were forced to list this property for sale just two months later, initially asking for $4.7 million.
Julie Chrisley’s story is a complex blend of reality TV fame, personal struggles, and legal battles. From her modest beginnings in South Carolina to life in the public eye, her financial downfall stands in stark contrast to the image presented on Chrisley Knows Best . Convicted alongside her husband for fraudulent financial activity, Julie faces significant prison time and the burden of millions in restitution. Despite these setbacks, her family life, health struggles, and business ventures have left a lasting imprint on the public consciousness.
For about a decade, Milch reportedly lost $25 million at the Santa Anita horse racetrack. The impact on his family was severe—they sold off nearly $13 million worth of property and were forced to live in a modest rented home. To manage expenses, his wife gave him only $40 a week in cash allowance. Perhaps most shockingly, Milch’s wife was kept completely unaware of the extent of his gambling losses for years, a fact revealed during the legal battle with his business managers.
Recognition and Success in Television
Despite these financial setbacks, David Milch’s creative talents have earned him high acclaim. He has won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue , including awards for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Drama Series. His contributions to television were further honored in 2006 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6840 Hollywood Blvd.
David Milch (Image via Getty)
Milch’s passion for horse racing extended beyond gambling; he also owned thoroughbred racehorses. His horses achieved notable victories, winning prestigious events like the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
The Hidden Costs of Gambling
Milch’s gambling addiction had deep roots and serious consequences. In early 2011, his wife, Rita, was summoned to a meeting with the family’s business management firm, Nigro, Karlin, Segal, Feldstein, and Bolno, LLP (NKSFB). She was perplexed when asked to transfer the mortgage titles to her name without a clear explanation. When she pressed for answers, the truth surfaced: David had been withdrawing large sums of money and writing numerous checks to the racetrack.
This revelation came after years of secrecy, during which Milch’s gambling addiction went unchecked despite his wife’s attempts to understand their financial situation. His obsession included a focus on handicapping—developing betting strategies to improve his odds. This passion inspired the creation of the television series Luck , which centered on horse racing and gambling.
Legal Battles and Financial Fallout
In 2016, the extent of Milch’s losses became public through a lawsuit filed by Rita against their management company, accusing them of withholding crucial financial information. The couple faced debts totaling $17 million. To tackle these liabilities, they arranged repayment plans with the IRS and sold multiple properties, including a $4.8 million residence in Brentwood, California, and an $8.9 million estate in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Rita took active steps to reduce debt, hosting garage sales and selling personal valuables such as art and jewelry. The family’s lifestyle drastically changed, with David living under a tight weekly cash allowance and the couple downsizing to more modest accommodations.
David Milch (Image via Getty)
Roots and Early Academic Life
Born on March 23, 1945, in Buffalo, New York, David Milch grew up in a Jewish household. Excelling academically, he attended Yale University, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Yale, he earned the Tinker Prize in English and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, a prestigious honor society. He also joined the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where he was a contemporary of future U.S. President George W. Bush.
Milch continued his studies at the University of Iowa, completing a Master of Fine Arts at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop with distinction. To avoid the Vietnam War draft, he briefly enrolled at Yale Law School but did not complete the program.
Transition to Television Writing
David Milch’s professional writing career began in academia as a teacher and lecturer in English literature at Yale. Collaborating with prominent literary figures like Robert Penn Warren and Cleanth Brooks, he co-authored several college textbooks. His early writings appeared in respected literary journals, including The Atlantic Monthly and the Southern Review .
Breakthrough with Hill Street Blues
In 1982, Milch’s career took a dramatic turn when he penned a script for Hill Street Blues . The script became the episode titled “Trial by Fury” and marked his entry into television writing. Over five seasons, Milch climbed the ranks from executive story editor to executive producer. His work on the show earned him two Writers Guild Awards, a Humanitas Prize, and a Primetime Emmy.
In 1987, Milch co-created Beverly Hills Buntz , a comedy-drama spin-off of Hill Street Blues . The series ran for a short time but helped solidify his reputation as a creative force in TV.
Expanding His Television Portfolio
The early 1990s saw Milch further broaden his horizons. He co-created Capital News with Christian Williams, focusing on the hectic world of a Washington, D.C., newspaper editorial staff. Though the show lasted less than a year, it added to his diverse resume. Milch also contributed to an episode of L.A. Law in 1992.
David Milch (Image via Getty)
NYPD Blue: A Defining Success
Perhaps Milch’s most significant achievement was the creation of NYPD Blue alongside Steven Bochco in 1993. The police procedural drama became a massive hit, airing for 12 years. Milch was the executive director for seven seasons and earned three Primetime Emmy Awards for his work. During this period, he also co-created Brooklyn South and Total Security , although these series had shorter runs.
Creating Deadwood and Other Projects
In 2001, Milch created Big Apple , a crime drama that aired on CBS. His next major project, Deadwood , aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006. Milch was the creator, writer, and executive producer. The show gained critical acclaim and garnered multiple Emmy nominations. Though Deadwood ended after three seasons, a film continuation was released by HBO in 2019 to critical praise and another Emmy nod.
Later Endeavors and Unfinished Ventures
Milch continued creating new series, including John from Cincinnati in 2006, which was canceled after one season. A 2007 project, Last of the Ninth , was never picked up by networks. In 2010, he launched Luck , inspired by his passion for horse racing, but it was canceled due to animal safety concerns. Another proposed project, The Money , was ultimately passed on by HBO.
In 2019, Milch contributed as a writer to several episodes of the third season of True Detective , working alongside head writer Nic Pizzolatto.
Personal Life and Challenges
David married Rita Stern in 1982, and they have three children. Outside of television, Milch maintained a strong connection to horse racing, owning successful thoroughbreds. Notably, his horse won the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Health issues have also marked Milch’s life. In the 1990s, he developed a heart condition and suffered a heart attack during a tense moment on the NYPD Blue set. Milch has been open about his bipolar disorder diagnosis. In 2015, just before beginning work on the Deadwood movie, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He has since moved to assisted living. In 2022, Milch published his memoir, Life’s Work , chronicling his experiences.
