Emily Maynard Celebrates Grandmotherhood
Emily Maynard, known from her time on “The Bachelorette,” has reached a significant moment in her life—she’s now a grandmother. Her daughter, Josephine “Ricky” Hendrick, announced the arrival of her first child on Friday.
Hendrick shared this joyful news on Instagram, posting a black-and-white image of Maynard gazing at her newborn after a C-section, along with a picture of herself and her husband, Tyler Johnson, holding their baby in the hospital. The caption? “Best day ever.”
Hendrick first revealed her pregnancy in August by posting an ultrasound video on her Instagram Stories. Following that, she updated her profile to reflect her new role, calling herself “Romis Mama.”
Maynard caught the attention of “Bachelor Nation” during her appearance on season 15 of “The Bachelor,” where she was the runner-up for Brad Womack’s affections. She later starred in Season 8 of “The Bachelorette” in 2012, though her engagement to Jeff Holm ended shortly after.
Looking back, she remarked on Good Morning America in 2017, “You shouldn’t give anyone a hint of ‘The Bachelor’ or ‘The Bachelorette,’ because honestly, it was kind of a train wreck. My time on the show was a little chaotic.” Her advice for future contestants? “Just have fun.”
When she was just 18, Maynard faced a tragic loss. Her fiancé, NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick, died in a plane crash, leaving her pregnant with their child. Reflecting on those early years as a single mom, she shared with PEOPLE in December 2020, “The first few years were really tough. I was lost and went to therapists, but I had to figure things out on my own. I knew time would heal them.”
Eventually, she found love again with Tyler Johnson, whom she met at church. They began dating in January 2013, after her breakup with Holm, got engaged a year later, and married in June 2014. Since then, they’ve welcomed five children: Jennings (10), Gibson (9), Gatlin (8), Magnolia (5), and Jones (2).
“Tyler is my best friend,” she expressed in an interview, adding, “I cried when he proposed!”
