Emily Maynard Johnson, born April 1, 1986, is an American television personality best known for appearing on The Bachelor (Season 15) and later starring in her own season of The Bachelorette (Season 8). Over a decade after her reality television appearances, people continue following her life as she shares glimpses of her large family and faith-centered journey through social media.
She’s now a mother of six children and has been married to Tyler Johnson since 2014. Her path from teenage single motherhood through public heartbreak to building the family life she always envisioned demonstrates resilience that resonates with many who followed her story.
Early Life
Emily was born April 1, 1986, in Morgantown, West Virginia. She grew up in West Virginia before later moving to North Carolina, where she would eventually build her adult life.
Her upbringing in a close-knit family environment emphasized faith and traditional values. While specific details about her childhood remain relatively private, she’s mentioned that family support became crucial during the most difficult period of her young adult life.
She attended school in West Virginia during her formative years, though she hasn’t shared extensive details about her educational background publicly. Her early interests and personality traits leaned toward family-oriented values that would shape her future priorities.
Family Background
Her parents provided strong support during her transition to unexpected single motherhood at a very young age. The family’s foundation of faith and close relationships helped her navigate early challenges that would have overwhelmed many teenagers.
In October 2004, when Emily was just 18 years old, her fiancé Ricky Hendrick—a racecar driver and son of NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick—was killed in an airplane crash in Martinsville, Virginia. Nine others also died in the crash.
She discovered she was pregnant with their daughter just days after his death, giving birth to Ricki in June 2005. This tragedy, occurring so young, fundamentally shaped her perspective on life, loss, and what truly matters. Her family’s support during this period enabled her to raise Ricki while processing grief most people never experience so early in life.
Life in the Public Eye
She first appeared on Brad Womack’s season of The Bachelor in 2011, where she accepted his proposal. However, they ended their engagement three months later. The following year, she returned as the lead in her own season of The Bachelorette, where she got engaged to winner Jef Holm before that relationship also ended.
The reality television experience brought both opportunities and challenges—increased public recognition, but also intense media scrutiny during vulnerable relationship moments. While the televised romances didn’t work out, the experience helped clarify what she truly wanted: stability, faith-based partnership, and a large family.
Marriage and Relationships
She met her husband Tyler Johnson at Forest Hills Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. They married in June 2014, building their relationship away from cameras on a foundation of shared Christian faith.
From their first meeting, she was clear about her intentions: “I’ve always wanted a lot of kids. I made it clear on our first day, Listen, my clock’s ticking, and I’m ready to get on this”. Tyler embraced both her and Ricki, becoming the father figure Ricki had never known.
Their marriage has now lasted over a decade, providing the stability that eluded her during her reality television years. She credits their shared faith and commitment to family as foundations sustaining their relationship through the demands of raising six children.
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Motherhood and Family Life
She and Tyler share five biological children together: Jennings (born July 2015), Gibson (born September 2016), Gatlin (born November 2017), Nola Belle (born October 2020), and Jones (born August 2022). Including Ricki, her household includes six children spanning from young adult to toddler.
When Jones was born in 2022, she shared publicly that he was born with Down syndrome, stating: “While it was certainly a surprise, we have so much peace in God’s perfect plan and knowing Jones is going to be a blessing to our family”. Her openness about Jones’ diagnosis demonstrated the faith perspective she brings to unexpected challenges.
Recently, her family entered a new chapter as she became a grandmother when her oldest daughter Ricki welcomed a baby in early 2026—a milestone she has acknowledged publicly while maintaining privacy around the details. Becoming a grandmother at 39 while still raising young children herself represents a unique season of life.
Motherhood clearly defines her identity more than any television appearance ever could. Her social media presence focuses almost entirely on family moments, holiday traditions, and the daily realities of managing a household with six children of varying ages and needs.
Personal Beliefs and Values
She has been open about her Christian faith being central to how she approaches life, marriage, and motherhood. She met Tyler at Forest Hills Church in Charlotte, and their shared faith remains a foundation of their family life.
In interviews and her book “I Said Yes,” she’s discussed how faith helped her process grief after Ricky’s death, navigate single motherhood, handle public heartbreak from failed engagements, and ultimately find peace in unexpected circumstances like Jones’ Down syndrome diagnosis.
Her values emphasize family above fame, privacy over publicity, and long-term stability rather than short-term attention. These priorities explain why she stepped away from television opportunities after finding lasting love and building the family she always wanted.
Life Away From Television
Today, Emily lives in North Carolina, focusing entirely on family life and sharing selected moments publicly through social media rather than pursuing ongoing entertainment opportunities.
According to her verified Instagram profile, her posts center on family life, faith, and motherhood rather than public appearances, brand partnerships, or attempts to maintain celebrity status. The content reflects genuine daily life—school activities, holiday celebrations, parenting challenges—rather than curated perfection.
She occasionally participates in interviews about parenting or shares updates about her growing family, but she’s deliberately chosen a life outside constant media attention. The contrast between her reality television years and current privacy demonstrates clear priorities that have remained consistent for over a decade.
Her days revolve around managing six children’s schedules, caring for Jones’ special needs, supporting Ricki’s new journey into motherhood, and maintaining the family-focused household she and Tyler have built together.
Net Worth and Work Background
Her estimated net worth is generally reported to be in the range of $5 million, primarily accumulated from her Bachelor franchise appearances, her book deal for “I Said Yes,” and any subsequent endorsements or media work following her television exposure. However, these figures are industry estimates and not officially confirmed.
Her current income likely comes from occasional media appearances, possible brand partnerships aligned with her family-focused image, and any residual earnings from her book rather than active entertainment work. Her focus has shifted entirely to family rather than career pursuits or maintaining public visibility.
FAQs
Is Emily Maynard married?
Yes, she’s been married to Tyler Johnson since June 2014. They met at Forest Hills Church in Charlotte and have built their relationship on shared Christian faith and commitment to family.
How many children does she have?
She has six children total: Ricki (from her relationship with late fiancé Ricky Hendrick), and five children with Tyler—Jennings, Gibson, Gatlin, Nola Belle, and Jones.
What is she doing now?
She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, focused entirely on raising her six children. She shares selective moments from family life on social media but has stepped away from active entertainment work to prioritize motherhood and privacy.
What happened to her first fiancé?
Her fiancé Ricky Hendrick, a racecar driver, was killed in an airplane crash in October 2004 when Emily was 18 years old. She discovered she was pregnant with their daughter Ricki shortly after his death.
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