The Chrisleys Celebrate Holidays at Home Post-Prison
Todd and Julie Chrisley are relishing their time at home for the holidays, marking the first occasion in two years since they went to prison.
Famous from their reality show “Chrisley Knows Best,” Todd was found guilty in 2022 of bank fraud and tax evasion. At 56, he received a 12-year sentence, while 52-year-old Julie received seven years. They began serving their sentences in separate federal prisons on January 17, 2023. Both maintained their innocence throughout the process, and they were ultimately pardoned by President Trump, after serving 28 months, they were released in May.
In a recent interview, Todd mentioned his eagerness to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with family. “The most important thing is that we are together again,” he shared. He added that Julie loves decorating for Christmas and they are excited to rekindle parts of their lives that had been on hold.
Julie chimed in, saying, “Christmas can be difficult without family, so being with them now is a real blessing.” The couple’s kids include Chase, 29, Grayson, 19, and Savannah, 28. Todd also has older children from a previous relationship, Lindsay, 36, and Kyle, 34.
Savannah had previously shared her mix of emotions about the holidays without her parents. She expressed hope for their reunion next year during a heartfelt conversation with her grandmother, Nanny Faye, on a podcast. “Obviously, mom and dad aren’t here; it’s shocking,” Savannah admitted. “But we are not going to let the negatives win. We’re going to get through this.”
Now, Savannah has taken on a guardian role for her younger brothers while navigating life without her parents. She’s planning to travel overseas for Christmas, diverging from traditional celebrations. “I realized last year, it was more joyful to focus on creating new memories with the kids than pretending everything is the same,” Savannah explained.
Nanny Faye, meanwhile, will be spending Christmas with her son Randy, reflecting on family ties that endure despite the challenges they’ve faced.
Savannah, motivated by her parents’ legal battles, worked tirelessly to secure their pardon, meeting with officials and creating discussions around their case. On the day their pardon was announced, she shared that Trump called to inform her directly about the decision.
After being released, Todd recounted a conversation they had with Trump: “He blessed us with our return,” saying the ex-president was very supportive and congratulatory. Todd and Julie plan to host family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, expressing excitement about re-engaging in their family traditions.
“I’m just thrilled,” said Julie, emphasizing how she can’t wait to reunite with loved ones. Plans for the Thanksgiving menu reveal traditional dishes with a Southern flair, including turkey and dressing, macaroni and cheese, alongside sweet potatoes, to keep family traditions alive.
Though their commitment to the usual holiday customs remains strong, Todd mentioned that it might feel different this year, acknowledging how much they value the time together after being apart for so long. They’re not ready to quite change what they’ve always done, despite the new perspectives brought on by their experiences.
Reflecting on their parenting journey, Julie felt their children had matured significantly during their absence, noting, “Our kids grew up quickly, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Todd echoed those sentiments, realizing he now sees each child as an individual with their unique challenges.
The Chrisleys, originally from South Carolina, have plans for a future permanent home there but are temporarily relocating to Texas for filming new projects. Todd expressed a desire for a family-centric home where all their children could come together.
