Paula Deen Biography: TV Shows, Age, Net Worth, Height, Husband, Children, Parents, Siblings, Instagram, Books

Paula Deen is a renowned American chef, restaurateur, and television personality who gained national attention through her Southern-style cooking and engaging on-screen presence.

She became widely recognized for her Food Network shows, where she showcased traditional Southern recipes, often emphasizing rich, buttery dishes.

Profile

• Full name: Paula Ann Hiers Deen
• Date of birth: January 19, 1947
• Age: 78 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Albany, Georgia, USA
• State of origin: Georgia
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef, Restaurateur, Television Personality, Author
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
• Parents: Corrie A. Hiers (mother), Earl Wayne Hiers Sr. (father)
• Siblings: Earl Hiers (brother)
• Spouse: Michael Groover (married in 2004)
• Children: James (“Jamie”) Deen, Robert (“Bobby”) Deen
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Net worth: $14 million

Early Life and Education

Paula Ann Hiers Deen, now 78 years old as of 2025, was born on January 19, 1947, in Albany, Georgia. She is the daughter of Corrie A. Hiers and Earl Wayne Hiers Sr., and she has a younger brother, Earl Hiers. Deen faced significant challenges in her early life; by the age of 23, both of her parents had passed away, leading her into a period of agoraphobia.

She found solace in cooking during this time, which became both a therapeutic activity and a foundation for her future career. Deen graduated from Albany High School in 1965. Specific details about any further formal education are not widely documented.

Personal Life

Paula Deen married her first husband, Jimmy Deen, in 1965, and they had two sons together, Jamie and Bobby Deen. The marriage ended in divorce in 1989. In 2004, she married Michael Groover, a tugboat captain in Savannah, Georgia.

Her sons, Jamie and Bobby, have both followed in their mother’s culinary footsteps and have become notable chefs and television personalities in their own right.

Career

Deen‘s culinary career began in earnest in 1989 when she started a home-based catering business called The Bag Lady, where she prepared lunches that her sons delivered to local offices.

This venture’s success led to the opening of her first restaurant, The Lady & Sons, in Savannah in 1996. The restaurant gained national attention for its authentic Southern cuisine.

Deen‘s popularity soared with the debut of her first television show, Paula’s Home Cooking, on the Food Network in 2002, followed by other shows like Paula’s Party and Paula’s Best Dishes.

She has authored multiple cookbooks, including The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook and Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style, which have been well-received by fans of Southern cuisine.

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout her career, Deen has received several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award in 2007 for Outstanding Lifestyle Host for her show Paula’s Home Cooking. She has also been recognized by the culinary community for her contributions to Southern cuisine.

Net Worth

Paula Deen‘s net worth is estimated to be around $14 million. Her wealth primarily stems from her successful restaurants, television shows, cookbooks, and various product endorsements.

Controversy

In 2013, Paula Deen faced significant controversy when a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and sexual harassment. During a deposition, Deen admitted to using racial slurs in the past, which led to widespread public backlash.

As a result, the Food Network did not renew her contract, and several companies ended their partnerships with her. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed, but the incident had a lasting impact on her public image and business ventures.

Social Media

• Instagram: @pauladeen_official
• X: @Paula_Deen

Filmography

• Elizabethtown (2005)
• Paula’s Home Cooking (2002–2012)
• Paula’s Party (2006–2008)
• Paula’s Best Dishes (2008–2013)

Books

• The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook (1998)
• Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style (2005)
• Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible (2011)
• Paula Deen Cuts the Fat: 250 Favorite Recipes All Lightened Up (2015)