'Bringing Up Bates': A Comprehensive Guide to the Bates Family

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. Scroll down to meet Gil and Kelly’s children and grandchildren:

Gil and Kelly were born in 1965 and 1966, respectively. They met at Anderson College.

Their eldest child married Whitney Perkins in December 2013 and share three kids — Bradley, Kaci and Khloé. The couple announced in November 2020 that they are expecting a fourth. Us exclusively revealed their “perfect” son Jadon's arrival in June 2021.

The nursing student, who is the second oldest Bates, wed Brandon Keilen in August 2015.

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.” 

The singer works as a reserve deputy for Anderson County’s Sheriff’s Department.

Bates, who is an EMT with a private pilot's license, proposed to Esther Keyes in May 2021. He previously courted Ashley Salyer in 2016.

Gil and Kelly’s eighth child works in law enforcement. Trace got engaged to girlfriend Lydia Romeike in March 2022, exclusively telling Us, “Lydia is my best friend, and she’s the most positive thing in my life.”

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.

Kelly's son graduated from high school in June 2020.

Warden is currently a student.

Isaiah is the “tallest Bates family member,” Kelly wrote via Instagram in October 2020.

Kelly’s 15th child was born premature in 2006 and suffered hearing loss. She now wears hearing aids.

Ellie is “fun, spunky and adventurous."

Kelly’s youngest daughter is her “most animated.” She wrote via Instagram in August 2020: “People are drawn to you like a magnet!"

The second youngest child “has grown in the blink of an eye,” Kelly wrote in December 2020 when Jud got braces.

Kelly and Gil’s youngest child arrived in 2012.