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The Gaines Family Empty Nest: Where Joanna Gaines' Daughters And Sons Are Attending College Now

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The Gaines family is officially navigating the world of college parents, with not one, but two of their five children having recently left the nest for higher education. As of December 23, 2025, the focus has shifted from the family's iconic Waco farmhouse to the dorm rooms and campuses of their eldest children, a transition that *Fixer Upper* star Joanna Gaines has openly described as an emotional, yet exciting, new chapter. The college choices themselves have been a topic of major curiosity for fans, revealing a blend of staying close to their Texas roots and chasing prestigious, big-city design dreams.

The biggest update centers on their second eldest, daughter Ella Gaines, who has fully embraced the creative path, choosing one of the world's most elite design institutions. This move signals a significant step away from the familiar comfort of Central Texas, while her older brother, Drake, remains closer to home. The family's public journey through this "empty nest syndrome" is a relatable look at one of the biggest life changes for parents, even for a celebrity powerhouse like the Magnolia co-founder.

Chip and Joanna Gaines Family Biography and Children

Chip and Joanna Gaines, the powerhouse couple behind the Magnolia empire, rose to fame with their hit HGTV show *Fixer Upper*. They have built a multi-faceted business that includes the Magnolia Network, Magnolia Market at the Silos, and numerous product lines. Their family life, centered in Waco, Texas, has always been integral to their brand. They have five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom have grown up in the public eye.

  • Chip Carter Gaines: (Age 50 as of late 2025). Co-founder of Magnolia. Known for his energetic personality and construction expertise.
  • Joanna Lee Gaines (née Stevens): (Age 47 as of late 2025). Co-founder of Magnolia. Known for her sophisticated interior design style and entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Children (Names and Approximate Ages as of late 2025):
    • Drake Gaines: (Approx. 20) — The eldest child and first to leave for college.
    • Ella Rose Gaines: (Approx. 19) — The eldest daughter and second child to attend college.
    • Duke Gaines: (Approx. 17) — Currently in high school.
    • Emmie Kay Gaines: (Approx. 15) — Currently in high school.
    • Crew Gaines: (Approx. 7) — The youngest child.

The transition to having two children in college marks a major turning point for the family, moving from the hectic environment of raising five young children to embracing their roles as parents of young adults.

Ella Gaines’ College Choice: A Major Design Move to the Big City

The most intriguing detail for fans of Joanna Gaines’ signature design aesthetic is the college choice of her eldest daughter, Ella Rose Gaines. Ella, who celebrated her 18th birthday shortly before starting school, chose to attend a prestigious institution far from the family's Central Texas home: the Parsons School of Design in New York City.

Parsons, part of The New School, is globally recognized as one of the world's leading art and design schools. This choice is a clear indication that Ella is serious about forging her own path in the creative world, following in her mother’s footsteps but with a distinct, big-city focus.

Joanna Gaines has shared that Ella is already proving to be a natural talent. She was heavily involved in designing her own dorm room, a project that was, predictably, a major undertaking. The *Magnolia Table* host mentioned that Ella has her own unique style, which is a blend of her mother’s influence and her own modern sensibilities.

This commitment to design is not just academic. Ella Gaines has already made her professional design debut, balancing her rigorous college coursework with a hands-on role in a family project. She was featured working alongside her parents on the new series, *Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House*, showcasing her burgeoning skills and gaining real-world experience with the multi-million dollar Magnolia brand.

Drake Gaines’ College Path: Staying True to Texas Roots

While Ella’s move to New York City was a major headline, the Gaines’ eldest child, son Drake Gaines, was the first to leave home for college, starting his journey a few years prior. Drake chose to stay much closer to the family’s home base in Waco, opting to attend the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB).

UMHB is a private Christian university located in Belton, Texas, often referred to as the "heart of Central Texas," and is only a short drive from the Gaines’ farm. This decision allowed Drake to maintain a connection to his family and the familiar Texas environment while still experiencing the independence of college life.

The difference in the children’s college choices—one choosing a prestigious design school in New York, the other a private Christian university in Central Texas—highlights Chip and Joanna’s parenting philosophy of encouraging each child to pursue their individual passions and paths. The proximity of UMHB meant a slightly softer landing for the Gaines family in their first experience with the empty nest, while Ella's move to New York represented a more significant, coast-to-coast emotional shift.

Joanna Gaines on the Emotional Reality of the Empty Nest Syndrome

Joanna Gaines has been remarkably candid about the emotional toll of sending her children off to college, a phase she has referred to as "still raw" and a struggle with letting go. The HGTV star has openly discussed the difficulties of navigating the "empty nest syndrome," especially now that two of her five children are away at school.

The emotional transition began when Drake left, but the departure of Ella, her eldest daughter and an integral part of the home's daily life, brought a new wave of feelings. Joanna shared that she felt like she was "losing a friend" and that the silence in the house was a palpable change.

Chip Gaines, on the other hand, reportedly handled the drop-offs with a bit more stoicism, sending Joanna pictures from the campus. The couple has relied on their strong partnership and their three younger children—Duke, Emmie Kay, and Crew—to help fill the void.

The public sharing of these private, relatable moments has resonated deeply with the *Fixer Upper* audience, who appreciate the honesty of the Magnolia co-founder. The updates, such as the heartwarming clip of Ella returning home for a break and being embraced by her younger brother Crew, reinforce the family's close-knit bond despite the distance.

As Ella continues her studies at Parsons School of Design and Drake pursues his education at UMHB, the Gaines family is setting a new standard for balancing a massive media empire with the very real, very human challenges of modern parenting and letting go.

joanna gaines' daughter college
joanna gaines' daughter college

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