The Chrisley family is opening up about a little-known detail in their family story. Todd and Julie Chrisley’s adoption of their granddaughter Chloe wasn’t legally finalized until just before the couple went to prison.
On the first episode of their new Lifetime series, The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, daughter Savannah Chrisley revealed the truth behind the timeline.
“The adoption was actually never made final until maybe a month or two before mom and dad left,” she explained, adding that her father struggled with the decision. “My dad could never bring himself to do it and to terminate their rights. But they had to do that to make sure that when they left, that Kyle or Angela couldn’t come back and get her.”
Chloe, now 13, is the biological daughter of Todd’s eldest son, Kyle, 34. Julie, who also spoke on the show, recalled the family’s first introduction to Chloe. “Once we found out that she even existed, of course, we wanted to be a part of her life,” she said from prison in the first episode of their new reality show.
According to Savannah, Chloe’s biological mother initially allowed weekend visits, which eventually grew into Chloe living with the Chrisley’s full time.
“Her mother let us have her every other weekend, and then every other weekend turned into every other week,” Savannah remembered. “And then I’ll never forget her calling my parents one day saying, ‘I need you to come get Chloe, we don’t have anywhere to stay and I can’t have her sleep in the car.’ Then she signed over custody completely.”
Savannah emphasized the difference the arrangement made in Chloe’s life. “Everyone goes through their own life experiences. Chloe is living a much better life than she would have ever thought about living,” she said.
Todd and Julie’s legal troubles remain well-known. The couple was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022. Todd, 56, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie, 52, received a seven year sentence. Both also faced 16 months of probation. They reported to prison in January 2023 but received a presidential pardon, from President Donald Trump, roughly 28 months later.
With both parents gone, Savannah took on the role of caregiver for Chloe and her younger brother Grayson, 19. Her balancing act between sister and parent was captured on the new show. “She is making sure that Chloe’s in the best school and [Grayson’s] college is paid for,” Savannah’s friend Pamela said in the episode of the 28-year-old.
Grayson, for his part, shared just how close their bond is. “Oh, I’ve always been attached to Savannah’s hip,” he said, joking about his younger years. “Like I used to have this thing, I don’t know why I did it, but I called my mom ‘Mom One’ and called my sister ‘Mom Two.’ And I would yell, ‘Mom,’ and they would both respond.”
New episodes of The Chrisleys: Back to Reality air every Tuesday 8/7 c on Lifetime. Episodes are available for streaming the next day.
Photo Credit: Savannah Chrisley Instagram