Teresa Terry: The Untold Story of Todd Chrisley’s First Wife

Many people know Todd Chrisley from his reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best, but few know much about his first wife, Teresa Terry. Long before the fame, cameras, and luxury homes, Todd lived a very different life with Teresa by his side.

They were high school sweethearts who got married young and had two children together. But behind the smiles and family life, things were not as perfect as they seemed. Teresa’s story is full of ups and downs — from early love to difficult battles and quiet strength.

In this article, we’ll walk through Teresa Terry’s untold story. You’ll learn about her early life, her relationship with Todd, the truth behind their marriage, and how she moved on to live a peaceful life away from the spotlight.

Teresa Terry Quick Bio

Who Is Teresa Terry?

Teresa Terry is best known as Todd Chrisley’s first wife. But she has her own story, separate from reality TV fame.

• She was born in 1971 in South Carolina, USA.

• Teresa grew up in a small town and lived a simple life.

• She met Todd while they were both still teenagers in high school.

At that time, no one imagined Todd would become a TV star. Their relationship started like many young romances — hanging out, watching movies, and spending time with friends. Todd’s family home was a favorite spot for local teens, and that’s where their bond began to grow.

How Teresa Terry Met Todd Chrisley

Teresa and Todd met as teenagers in Westminster, South Carolina. It was a typical small-town love story.

• Todd’s house was the place where friends gathered after school.

• His mother, Faye Chrisley, was like a second mom to many teens.

• She often cooked for the kids, and Teresa became part of that group.

They were just kids — she was 17 and he was 19 when they started dating. It was young love, full of energy and hope. But things changed quickly when Teresa became pregnant at age 19.

Getting Married Young

When Teresa told Todd she was pregnant, he was just 21 years old. According to Teresa, Todd wasn’t thrilled at first, but they both agreed getting married was the “right thing to do.”

• Their daughter, Lindsie, was born in 1989.

• They got married shortly after the pregnancy news.

• It was more about duty than love, Teresa later shared.

A few years later, in 1991, they had their second child, Kyle. But while they were building a family, their relationship began to show cracks. They were still very young and facing a lot of pressure as parents.

Teresa Terry and Todd Chrisley’s Children

During their seven-year marriage, Teresa and Todd welcomed two children:

• Lindsie Chrisley (born in 1989)

• Kyle Chrisley (born in 1991)

Both children later appeared on Chrisley Knows Best, but only for a short time. Teresa has always stayed away from the cameras, but her children became part of the reality TV world, even if only briefly.

Lindsie later spoke about her complicated relationship with her father and why she left the show. Kyle, too, faced many personal struggles. Their stories are important because they show how much these early family years affected them.

Inside Their Troubled Marriage

Even though they were young and seemed happy at first, Teresa has said that their marriage was not a good one.

• She claimed Todd was emotionally controlling.

• He often told her how to dress, how to act, and even how to parent.

• Sometimes, he would yell without reason, then ignore her for days.

Teresa said it felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells. The pressure and emotional stress kept building. She felt alone, even while raising two small children. Over time, things reportedly got worse.

She later shared that the emotional pain turned into physical abuse. That’s when she knew she had to leave.

Divorce and the Courtroom Battles

In 1994, after years of struggles, Teresa filed a domestic violence case and left Todd. At the time, Kyle was just three years old, and Lindsie was five.

• Teresa took Kyle with her and planned to get Lindsie, who was staying with Todd’s parents.

• When Todd refused to let her take Lindsie, Teresa filed a child abduction complaint.

• Todd denied all of these claims and said he was never violent.

Their divorce became messy and painful. They both fought for full custody of the children. There were years of legal battles, emotional stress, and painful memories. The divorce was not finalized until 1996.

Custody Fights and the $1 Million Lawsuit

After the divorce, the court gave joint custody to both parents. But the fighting didn’t stop there.

• In the early 2000s, Todd reopened the custody case.

• In 2012, he even sued Teresa for $1 million in child support — but he lost.

• Teresa said that the long court battles affected her relationship with Lindsie.

Teresa moved away from the spotlight and focused on her own peace. But Todd kept coming back into her life through the courts. She even claimed he once hired a private detective to find her new address.

One night, she said she saw a red laser pointed at her house and found Todd standing outside. This strange incident was also mentioned in court records.

Where Is Teresa Terry Now?

After the long and stressful years with Todd Chrisley, Teresa Terry decided to start fresh.

She met a new partner, got married again, and had two more children. Today, Teresa lives in rural Oklahoma with her husband and children. She enjoys a quiet and peaceful life — far away from cameras and courtrooms.

Teresa has chosen not to be in the spotlight. She stays away from interviews and avoids public attention. Even though her name still comes up when people talk about Todd Chrisley, Teresa Terry prefers privacy and calm.

Why Teresa Terry Never Appeared on Chrisley Knows Best

When Chrisley Knows Best started in 2014, many fans expected to learn more about Todd’s past, including his first wife. But Teresa Terry was never part of the show — and that was her choice.

She had already gone through a very public and painful time. She didn’t want to reopen old wounds or be part of the drama on screen.

Her children, Lindsie and Kyle, did appear in the first few seasons. But even they later stepped away from the spotlight. Teresa has always focused on living a normal life — and protecting her family from more stress.

Her Relationship with Lindsie and Kyle Today

Over the years, Teresa has stayed close to her daughter Lindsie. They have a strong bond, and Lindsie has said she still visits her mother and maternal grandparents. She respects her mother’s privacy and rarely speaks about her publicly.

Lindsie has gone through her own tough times. She had a rocky relationship with her father and stepmother and left the show in 2017. Later, she divorced her husband and started focusing on her new podcast, The Southern Tea.

As for Kyle, he struggled with bipolar disorder and addiction. He was removed from the show in 2014 but later recovered and made peace with his father. Despite the ups and downs, Teresa has always been a part of his life.

Todd Chrisley’s New Life After Teresa

After the divorce from Teresa Terry, Todd moved on quickly. He married Julie Chrisley in 1996, the same year the divorce was finalized.

Together, Todd and Julie had three children:

• Chase (born in 1996)

• Savannah (born in 1997)

• Grayson (born in 2006)

The new family became the stars of Chrisley Knows Best, which showed off their wealthy lifestyle, fancy homes, and family drama. Todd often talked about family values, but his past with Teresa was rarely mentioned.

Even though Teresa Terry was never part of the show, she remained a quiet figure in the background — the woman who knew Todd before the fame.

Why Teresa Terry’s Story Still Matters

You might wonder — why do people still talk about Teresa Terry in 2025?

The answer is simple: her story is part of Todd Chrisley’s full story. She was there before the money, before the fame, and before the TV lights. Teresa saw a side of Todd that fans never saw on screen.

Her voice brings a different point of view — one that’s calm, quiet, and real. She reminds us that not everything shown on reality TV is the full truth.

And as Todd Chrisley and Julie face prison time for bank fraud and tax crimes, many people are now looking back to the past. They want to know more about the woman who first stood beside him — and how she managed to walk away and rebuild her life.

Teresa Terry’s story is about strength, growth, and peace. She may not be on TV, but her journey has touched many who’ve been through pain and came out stronger on the other side.

Final Thoughts

Teresa Terry may not be famous like her ex-husband, but her story is powerful. She was a young mom, a quiet fighter, and someone who chose healing over fame.

Her life reminds us that not everyone wants the spotlight. Some just want peace, family, and a fresh start — and that’s exactly what Teresa found in Oklahoma.

In a world full of noise, Teresa Terry chose silence — and sometimes, that says the most.