Does Savannah Chrisley Make Enough From Podcasting To Pay Her Parents' $17 Million Restitution Fees?
Highlights
- Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of "Chrisley Knows Best," were involved in shady financial dealings and were indicted, tried, and incarcerated for fraud.
- They were also ordered to pay a staggering $17.2 million in restitution fees, which they cannot afford.
- Their daughter Savannah, known for her podcast "Unlocked," intends to help pay off the debt, but her podcast earnings may not be enough to cover the restitution bill.
Until recently, anyone who watched Todd and Julie Chrisley's debut reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best could've sworn that the Chrisleys were a picture-perfect southern family dripping in luxury. But as it later became apparent, appearances can be deceiving.
Beneath the veneer of perfection, Todd and Julie were involved in some pretty shady financial dealings, which ultimately led to them getting indicted, tried, and later incarcerated for fraud early this year.
But the reprisals didn’t end there. Aside from a combined 19-year prison sentence, the twosome was also ordered to pay a jaw-dropping $17.2 million in restitution fees. With Todd and Julie’s combined net worth nowhere near $17.2 million, the Chrisleys now find themselves at a financial crossroads.
The family’s sole beacon of hope appears to be 25-year-old Savannah Chrisley, who, aside from taking charge of her younger siblings while her parents serve their sentences, has pledged to wipe out the debt. However, with all the reality shows featuring the Chrisley clan now canceled, Savannah’s most prominent source of income appears to be podcasting. So, does the Chrisley Knows Best alum make enough from her Unlocked podcast to cough up $17.2 million?
Savannah Chrisley Intends To Pay Todd And Julie Chrisley’s $17 Million Restitution Fees
Chrisley knows best stars Todd and Julie have been having a tough go of it for quite some time. The twosome’s picture-perfect life first hit a snag in 2019, when they were indicted on a dozen counts of fraud by a federal grand jury.
Following a riveting three-week trial that kicked off in March 2022, the two were convicted, sentenced to a combined 19 years in federal prison, and ordered to pay $17 million in restitution fees.
Per the New York Post, the substantial bill left the once wealthy Chrisleys in a rather precarious position, as their combined fortunes were nowhere near sufficient to cover it. “They're going to have to give up a lot of things, including their homes, sadly," a source revealed to the outlet.
"They won't be able to afford it. But their main concern now is their children, especially their youngest boy."
However, it appears the twosome might not have to languish under the crushing debt for long. Speaking to ET earlier this month, the duo's newly-appointed counsel, Jay Surgent, confirmed that their daughter, Savannah, intends to clear it on their behalf.
"I think Savannah, while it's not her job to make restitution on behalf of her parents, she has every intention. I've spoken to her a number of times about it. She has every intention to do everything she can do to make restitution on behalf of her parents from the outside," he said, adding, “Savannah happens to be in a situation that she's very creative, she has a unique talent and she's a great interviewer. She's gonna do well towards that end as far as earning money and being able to help with restitution."
Can Savannah Chrisley Afford To Pay Her Parents’ $17 Million Restitution Fees?
In the aftermath of Todd and Julie’s fraud convictions, USA Network canceled all reality TV shows featuring the Chrisley family, including Chrisley Knows Best and the spin-off Growing Up Chrisley.
With this particular source of income now severed, Savannah will have to rely on her thriving podcast, Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley, to address her parents' $17.2 million debt.
However, as it turns out, the Growing Up Chrisley alum isn't exactly striking gold as a podcaster. According to an analysis by Social Blade, Savannah amasses approximately 500K views on her podcast videos within a 30-day period, maintaining an average daily view count of 17K and a weekly total of 121K.
Despite this substantial viewership, the platform estimates that her annual earnings likely fall between $1.6K and $25K. Even if she accrues extra income from sponsorship deals, her total earnings would likely still pale in comparison to her parents' colossal $17 million restitution bill.
However, there could still be a glimmer of hope, considering that, aside from her well-received podcast, Savannah has also ventured into several entrepreneurial exploits over the years.
In 2017, the 25-year-old launched her very first clothing line, Faith Over Fear, followed promptly by Rampage x Savannah Chrisley in 2019.
A mere year later, the Chrisley Knows Best star entered the makeup industry with the launch of the cosmetics line, Sassy by Savannah Cosmetics. However, the earnings derived from these endeavors remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Inside Savannah Chrisley's New Reality Show
Aware of her family's precarious financial situation, Savannah has been working overtime to remedy the situation. The now 25-year-old has even put her plans for marriage and starting a family on hold, dedicating the next chapter of her life to being a stabilizing force for her family as they navigate what must be a particularly trying ordeal.
Her dedication appears to be paying off, as she recently succeeded in securing a contract for a fresh reality show featuring herself alongside Chase, Grayson, and Chloe Chrisley.
"The time was right to share our story, and we couldn't have found better partners in Scout Productions," Savannah said in a press release earlier this month.
"They're ability to balance popular culture and empathy through authentic storytelling is unrivaled, and I know they're going to find the right home for this next chapter of our lives. We're so happy to be back."
The new reality show, which is apparently already in production, will follow the lives of the Chrisley fold as they navigate the aftermath of their parents’ incarceration.
"You're gonna have all the uncomfortable conversations," she told listeners of her Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley podcast back in May.
"You are going to see how we're navigating as a family through having two parents that are incarcerated. You're gonna see how my grandparents are dealing with things, how Chase and I are dealing with things, him and the wedding process, how I do not necessarily agree with it," she continued. "You're going to see literally every single aspect and there is no holding back, including Chloe asking me what tampons are, so...."
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