The Chrisley family has faced challenges that few reality TV stars could imagine, and now, for the first time, Todd and Julie Chrisley are opening up about one of the darkest periods

in their lives: over two years of separation while serving prison sentences. In a recent, deeply emotional appearance on Caitlyn Bristow’s Off the Vine podcast, the couple candidly shared what

it was like to live in silence, confined to separate facilities, while still navigating the pressures of family, faith, and public scrutiny. Their story is one of endurance, hope, and the extraordinary power of love.

From January 2023 until receiving full presidential pardons from Donald Trump in May 2025, Todd, 56, and Julie, 52, endured the pain of separation, with minimal communication. “We were able to email, but the email was very sporadic, and it would take sometimes two or three days for me to get an email or him to get an email,” Julie explained. “So, we did not speak.” For a couple who had spent nearly three decades side by side—running their empire, raising their children, and filming Chrisley Knows Best—this lack of contact was profoundly disorienting.

The Struggle of Parenting Apart

Perhaps the most agonizing aspect of their separation, Julie admitted, was being unable to parent together. “We’re parents,” she said. “Even adult kids still need their parents. It’s always been us against the world. So, not being able to talk and collaborate, to say ‘Okay, how are we going to handle this situation?’—that was devastating.” Julie also described the heartbreak of limited phone access. While Todd’s facility allowed him a cell phone, Julie was restricted to only ten minutes per day for calls. “You have to decide which child to talk to, who needs you most that day,” she said.

The absence of her husband was deeply felt in every part of her life. “He’s my person,” Julie shared. “Not having your person there when you’re having a bad day, when a birthday comes, when a holiday happens… those are big deals at our house. That was the hardest part for me.” Todd, meanwhile, coped by leaning on memories and faith. “I give glory to God for this because my mind is so strong,” he said. “I remember the first date, the first kiss… I even kept the first ticket stubs from our movie date. Those memories kept me going.”

Finding Comfort in Small Connections

Todd discovered an unexpected source of comfort through his daughter, Savannah Chrisley. During her visits, Savannah would bring magazines that included a sample of Julie’s perfume. Todd described how he would rub it on his pillow each night and on the collar of his jacket. “I never felt separated from her because spiritually and emotionally, I was with her every second of every day,” he said. The gesture, small as it was, symbolized a deeper connection, a tether that kept him grounded amid the harsh realities of prison life.

Faith also played a central role in helping Todd and Julie endure the separation. Todd often prayed for protection and perseverance rather than his own release, reflecting on the belief that their suffering had a higher purpose. Julie echoed this sentiment, explaining that faith kept her anchored during sleepless nights and moments of despair. “Todd and I have always believed our marriage was built on more than this world could offer, and that’s what’s carrying us through,” she said.

The Legal Battle Behind the Headlines

The Chrisleys’ ordeal began in 2019, when Todd and Julie were convicted on twelve counts of bank and wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion. Throughout the legal proceedings, the couple maintained their innocence. Their convictions were overturned with the issuance of presidential pardons in 2025, restoring their freedom and offering a path to reclaiming their lives. However, the period of incarceration, compounded by the inability to communicate freely, left indelible scars.

Todd described the emotional pain of not hearing Julie’s voice as “a wound that doesn’t heal with time.” Julie, similarly, admitted that she would often instinctively search for her husband’s presence. “There are days I feel like I can hear his voice,” she said. “I’ll be walking in the yard or folding laundry, and I swear I hear him calling me ‘darling’… then reality hits. We haven’t spoken in over two years. That’s the hardest part. It’s like mourning someone who’s still alive.”

Maintaining Family Unity

Despite the physical separation, the Chrisleys remained spiritually and emotionally connected. Both leaned heavily on faith and prayer while relying on their children to serve as bridges of communication. Savannah, their 27-year-old daughter, has been central in maintaining family cohesion, using her podcast, Unlocked, to share updates, read letters from her parents, and advocate for prison reform. “They can’t call, email, or write each other,” Savannah explained. “All I can do is carry messages back and forth. It’s heartbreaking, but their love hasn’t faded a bit.”

Todd and Julie also used their time in prison to grow individually and support others. Todd took on leadership roles in the prison chapel, mentoring younger inmates and offering business advice, while Julie volunteered at the facility’s medical center and counseled other women, becoming a guiding figure even in adversity. Savannah noted, “Even when she’s struggling, she’s helping someone else. That’s just who she is.”

Clinging to Hope and Faith

Through it all, Todd and Julie’s faith has remained a lifeline. Daily prayers, devotionals exchanged through their children, and quiet moments of reflection kept the couple tethered to hope. Todd wrote that he no longer prayed for his own release but for the protection of his wife and the strength of their family. Julie expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing that love is endurance—the kind that persists even when distance and silence make it nearly impossible to connect.

Their shared belief in purpose and resilience has also helped them navigate the long, uncertain path to reunion. Although Todd’s earliest possible release date remains years away, both remain hopeful. Todd dreams nightly of seeing Julie waiting for him, a moment he believes will make every tear, sleepless night, and prayer worth it. Julie’s response is simple yet profound: “I’ll be right here, Todd. No matter how long it takes, I’ll be waiting.”

Lessons in Resilience and Love

The Chrisleys’ story over the past two and a half years has become a testament to enduring love, faith, and family. Through separation, public scrutiny, and legal challenges, their marriage has survived tests that would challenge even the strongest bonds. Their reflections remind fans that love is not always about grand gestures—it’s about patience, endurance, and unwavering belief in one another, even when communication is impossible.

The family continues to fight their ongoing legal battles, with Savannah recently sharing optimism from their new legal team regarding procedural issues in the original trial. Yet beyond the legal complexities, the Chrisleys’ journey has resonated with audiences worldwide, offering hope to families navigating separation, adversity, and loss.

Looking Forward

As Todd and Julie continue their appeals and navigate the path toward full reunion, their story serves as a reminder of the human capacity for resilience. From the laughter-filled chaos of their Nashville home to the quiet, isolated hours in prison, their marriage has endured. Their children remain pillars of support, keeping the family connected through messages, visits, and shared faith.

In a world often focused on scandal and sensationalism, the Chrisleys’ experience underscores a more enduring truth: love, faith, and family can survive even the darkest trials. Todd and Julie Chrisley’s reflections offer both fans and the general public a rare glimpse into the emotional realities behind the headlines—a marriage tested, a family stretched, and a love that refuses to be broken.

As fans continue to follow their journey, one thing is clear: the Chrisleys are more than just reality TV stars. They are a family whose strength, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to one another remind us all of the power of hope, the necessity of faith, and the enduring force of love.