If you're a fan of Food Network, chances are you remember the lovable couple, Gina and Pat Neely, who stole our hearts with their charming southern hospitality. Their show, Down Home With the Neelys, which premiered back in 2008, was a ratings hit. But just a few years later, the show ended abruptly, leaving fans wondering what happened. Let me tell you, it’s a story worth revisiting. Keep reading to find out what really went down and where Gina and Pat are today.
Pat and Gina Neely tied the knot in 1994 and went on to build a beautiful family together. They welcomed a daughter, Shelbi, and Gina also had a daughter, Spenser, from a previous relationship. But before they became TV stars, the Neelys were already making waves in the culinary world with their successful barbecue restaurants across the country. By the time they landed their own Food Network series, they were already household names in the food industry.
Down Home With the Neelys was an instant hit when it first aired, with 143 episodes dedicated to sharing mouthwatering recipes right from the comfort of their Tennessee home. But in September 2014, the couple made the difficult decision to end their marriage after two decades, and with it, their beloved cooking show came to an end.
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In a joint statement, Pat and Gina shared their decision with fans, saying, “Today we announce that we are ending our marriage of 20 years for irreconcilable differences. This was a tough decision, but we believe it is the best decision for us. As parents of two beautiful adult daughters that we love dearly, we will continue to be involved in each other’s lives as parents and friends.”
Even though their marriage ended, Pat later revealed that filming the show was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life. “One of the things that I’ll always cherish about Down Home with the Neelys was that I had the opportunity to invite people into our home every day and share that experience with my high school sweetheart, a woman I truly loved,” he told People in October 2018. “I never had to act. I was just being me.”
Following their divorce, both Pat and Gina went on to lead fulfilling lives. Pat met his now-wife, Tamika Parks, on a cruise in 2015 and fell head over heels. The couple got engaged the following year and tied the knot at their Georgia home in October 2017. Tamika already had a son, Elijah, and the couple later welcomed a daughter named Eriel together.
Gina, on the other hand, has embraced her role as a grandmother with open arms. In February 2022, she excitedly shared the news on Instagram that she was going to become a grandma. “I’m going to be a Gigi!” she captioned a sweet video after her daughter Spenser revealed she was expecting her first child. “I’m about to explode over here!”