'Bringing Up Bates': Comprehensive Guide To The Bates Family
Maybe your like
- X
20 Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Bates have 19 children, and for 10 seasons, their lives were documented on Bringing Up Bates.
The couple tied the knot in December 1987 and welcomed their first child the following year. By 2012, Kelly had given birth to nine boys and 10 girls, without any multiples in the mix. Many of their kids have gotten married over the years, giving the pair more than 15 grandchildren — and counting.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Subscribe to newsletters
Please enter a valid email. SubscribeBy signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly
Deal of the Day
Glow Like Your Favorite Stars With This Luxe Skincare Staple — Limited Time Deal View DealCheck our latest news in Google News
Follow UsCheck our latest news in Apple News
Follow UsThe UPtv personalities first graced television screens in a 2012 series called United Bates of America. They returned to TV for Bringing Up Bates three years later. In January 2022, the network canceled the reality show after 10 seasons.
Gil and Kelly Jo became grandparents for the 37th time in December 2025 when daughter Josie and her husband, Kelton Balka, welcomed baby No. 4.
Scroll down to meet Gil and Kelly’s children and grandchildren:
Credit: Up TV
A Comprehensive Guide to the 'Bringing Up Bates' Family: Children, Grandkids and More
Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Bates have 19 children, and for 10 seasons, their lives were documented on Bringing Up Bates. The couple tied the knot in December 1987 and welcomed their first child the following year. By 2012, Kelly had given birth to nine boys and 10 girls, without any multiples in the mix. Many of their kids have gotten married over the years, giving the pair more than 15 grandchildren — and counting. The UPtv personalities first graced television screens in a 2012 series called United Bates of America. They returned to TV for Bringing Up Bates three years later. In January 2022, the network canceled the reality show after 10 seasons. Gil and Kelly Jo became grandparents for the 37th time in December 2025 when daughter Josie and her husband, Kelton Balka, welcomed baby No. 4. Scroll down to meet Gil and Kelly’s children and grandchildren:
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Gil Bates and Kelly Bates
Gil and Kelly were born in 1965 and 1966, respectively. They met at Anderson College.
Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Bates/Instagram
Zachary Bates
Their eldest child married Whitney Perkins in December 2013, and they share five kids: Bradley, Kaci, Khloé, Jadon and Lily Jo, born in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023, respectively. Zach and Whitney revealed in September 2025 that they are expecting their sixth baby.
Credit: Courtesy Brandon and Michael Keilen/Instagram
Michaela Bates
The nursing student, who is the second oldest Bates, wed Brandon Keilen in August 2015.
Credit: Courtesy of Erin Bates/Instagram
Erin Bates
The third oldest Bates child married husband Chad Paine in November 2013. The couple share seven children: Carson, Brooklyn, Everly, Holland, Finley, William and Henry.
After giving birth to Henry in September 2025, Erin experienced complications. According to a post shared by Paine, Erin remained in the hospital after developing a “severe UTI and kidney infection, which sent her into septic shock.”
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Lawson Bates
The singer, who works as a reserve deputy for Anderson County’s Sheriff’s Department, married Tiffany Espensen in May 2022. After experiencing a miscarriage in early 2023, the couple welcomed son William in July 2024. In June 2025, Espensen and Bates revealed that their second baby is on the way.
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Nathan Bates
Bates, who is an EMT with a private pilot's license, tied the knot with Esther Keyes in October 2021. The couple welcomed daughter Kenna in October 2022 followed by son Graham in June 2024.
Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Bates/Instagram
Alyssa Bates
After marrying John Webster in May 2014, Alyssa went on to welcome daughters Allie, Lexi, Zoey, Maci and Rhett, born in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023, respectively.
Credit: Courtesy of Tori Bates/Instagram
Tori Bates
Tori and husband Bobby Smith share sons Kade, Kolter, Charlotte, Cambree and Weston, born in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024, respectively.
Credit: Courtesy of Trace Bates/Instagram
Trace Bates
Gil and Kelly’s eighth child, who works in law enforcement, tied the knot with Lydia Romeike in October 2022. The couple welcomed son Ryker in September 2023 followed by daughter Kaia in June 2025.
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Carlin Bates
In May 2019, Carlin married Evan Stewart. They welcomed their daughter Layla in February 2020, and the little one was diagnosed with a heart condition three months later. The couple announced in August 2021 that they were expecting baby No. 2. The pair were “in heaven” when son Zade arrived seven months later, Carlin gushed via Instagram. Carlin and Stewart went on to expand their family once again when they welcomed daughter Navy in September 2025.
Credit: Courtesy of Josie Bates/Instagram
Josie Bates
Josie and her husband, Kelton Balka, welcomed daughter Willow in July 2019, nine months after their wedding. Us Weekly broke the news in January 2021 that baby No. 2 was on the way, another daughter they planned to name Hazel. She was born in June 2021, Us exclusively revealed. The couple went on to welcome son Miles in February 2024 before announcing in April 2025 that they are expecting their fourth baby.
Josie and Kelton announced the birth of baby No. 4, a boy, in December 2025.
“WELCOME TO THE WORLD 🫶🏻 After 9 months of waiting and dreaming of who this sweet baby would be, our hearts are completely overflowing with love 🤍,” Josie captioned an Instagram video.
Credit: Courtesy of Katie Bates/Instagram
Katie Bates
Us exclusively revealed in March 2020 that Katie was courting Travis Clark, the same year she graduated from Crown College. The couple got engaged in April 2021 and tied the knot in December of that year. In February 2023, the duo welcomed their first child, daughter Hailey. A little over one year later, Katie and Clark welcomed son Harvey in September 2024.
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Jackson Bates
Jackson married Emerson Wells in October 2023. The couple welcomed a son, whose name has yet to be publicly revealed, in August 2025.
Credit: Courtesy of Warden Bates/Instagram
Warden Bates
Warden works for his brother Trace’s construction business, Bates Construction, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Isaiah Bates
Isaiah is the “tallest Bates family member,” Kelly wrote via Instagram in October 2020.
Credit: Courtesy of Addallee Bates/Instagram
Addallee Bates
Kelly’s 15th child was born premature in 2006 and suffered hearing loss. She now wears hearing aids.
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Ellie Bates
Ellie is “fun, spunky and adventurous."
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Callie Bates
Kelly’s youngest daughter is her “most animated.” She wrote via Instagram in August 2020: “People are drawn to you like a magnet!"
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Jud Bates
The second youngest child “has grown in the blink of an eye,” Kelly wrote in December 2020 when Jud got braces.
Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram
Jeb Bates
Kelly and Gil’s youngest child arrived in 2012.
Just For You
In this article
Alyssa Bates
Erin Bates
Bringing Up Bates
- Youtube
- Podcasts
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Subscribe to newsletters
Please enter a valid email. SubscribeBy signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly
More Stories
- Youtube
- Podcasts
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Subscribe to newsletters
Please enter a valid email. SubscribeBy signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly
Close Button for "Got a Tip" Form Thanks for the tip! Got a tip for US? We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz! Please enter a name. Please enter a valid email. Please enter a phone number. Please enter a message. Send the Tip! Cancel OK ✕ Your account- Account
- Purchase
- Favorite
- News
- SubscriptionsSubs
- Address
- Digital Library
By clicking Sign In, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy.
Sign InUp with your social account
Continue with Google Continue with Amazon Continue with AppleWe won't post to any of your accounts
Sign Up Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers. Already have an account? Login Name Email Password Confirm PasswordYour password must include:
- Min 8 characters
- Min 1 lowercase character
- Min 1 uppercase character
- Min 1 number
Sign InUp with your social account
Continue with Google Continue with Amazon Continue with AppleWe won't post to any of your accounts
Forgot your password? Enter your email to receive activation code. Reset Password * Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. Visit Google or Facebook to do that. Reset your password An email has been sent to with a recovery code. Please enter it below: Proceed Resend code Enter new password Enter new password Confirm PasswordYour password must include:
- Min 8 characters
- Min 1 lowercase character
- Min 1 uppercase character
- Min 1 number
Tag » Where Does The Bates Family Live
-
Do The Bateses Live? (As Of April 2021) - Duggar Data
-
Where Do The Bateses Live On 'Bringing Up Bates'? They're A Close ...
-
The 'Bringing Up Bates' Brood Have Called This Southern State Home
-
Where Is Bringing Up Bates Filmed? - The Cinemaholic
-
Meet The Bates Family - All 20 Of Them - ABC News
-
Bates Family House - Bates Motel Wiki - Fandom
-
Were Do The Bates Live? - FAQ Blog
-
Bates Clan Of 21 Calls East Tennessee The 'place To Be' For Raising ...
-
Duggar Data Did A "Where In The World?" Do The Bates Live. - Reddit
-
Contact | The Bates Family
-
'Bringing Up Bates' Spotlights Tori, Bobby Smith's Move To East Tenn.
-
Where Does Kathy Bates Live? - Alexa Answers
-
Fans Have Noticed This One Big Difference Between The Duggars ...
-
About Our Family - Chad And Erin