If you’ve ever watched Homestead Rescue and wondered how a man with silver hair can still out-climb, out-build, and out-work guys half his age, you aren't alone. It's the big question every time he's on screen: how old is Marty Raney? Honestly, looking at him scale a frozen cliff or haul a massive log across a river, you'd think the guy found some secret Alaskan fountain of youth.
The truth is, Marty Raney is 69 years old as of 2026.
He was born on July 28, 1957. But if you're looking for a simple "birth certificate" answer, you're kinda missing the point of who Marty is. Age in the Alaskan bush doesn't really work the same way it does in the suburbs. Out there, you're only as old as your last successful hunt or the last cabin you raised before the first snowfall hits.
Living the 1957 Legacy
Marty didn't start his life in Alaska, though he’s become its unofficial spokesperson. He grew up in North Bend, Washington. Back in the late 50s and early 60s, that area was a lot more rugged than it is now. He wasn't some city kid who decided to "find himself" in the woods; he was born into a world where manual labor was the baseline.
By the time he was 16, he'd had enough of the traditional path. He dropped out of school and headed north. Think about that for a second. At 16, most of us were worried about prom or getting a driver's license. Marty was heading into the Alaskan wilderness with nothing but a pack and a lot of grit.
By 1974, at just 17 years old, he married Mollee Roestel. They didn't move into a starter home with a white picket fence. Nope. Their first "house" was a floating logging camp on Prince of Wales Island. No power. No running water. Just the Pacific Ocean underneath them and the rain above. When people ask how old is Marty Raney, they usually want to know how he knows so much. Well, he spent his 20s in places like Haines and Sitka, living 100 miles from the nearest town, surrounded by brown bears. That kind of life ages you, sure, but it also hardens you into something that doesn't break easily.
💡 You might also like: Simone Biles Wedding Party: What Most People Get Wrong
Why Does Marty Raney Look So Young (And Fit)?
It’s the lifestyle, basically. There’s no "gym day" for Marty because every day is a full-body workout.
Between guiding expeditions up Denali—which he’s done over 17 times—and running his construction business, Alaska Stone and Log, he hasn't had much time to sit on a couch. He’s the patriarch of a family that is literally the only family of six to have all climbed Denali multiple times. That isn't just a fun fact; it's a testament to the physical engine this guy has under the hood.
- Diet: He eats what he kills or catches. We’re talking moose, caribou, and wild salmon. No processed junk.
- Purpose: He’s always building. Whether it's for the Discovery Channel or his own 40-acre homestead in Hatcher Pass, he’s always moving.
- Mindset: He famously says, "Alaska is better than fiction." He lives with a sense of wonder that keeps the mental cobwebs away.
The Raney Family Timeline
To really understand the timeline of Marty’s life, you have to look at his kids. Melanee, Miles, Misty, and Matt. They grew up in the family business, quarrying stone and peeling logs.
Misty and Matt are the ones most fans recognize from Homestead Rescue. Seeing them work alongside their dad, you see a dynamic that is rare nowadays. Marty isn't just "the old guy" giving orders; he's in the trenches with them. When his own cabin burned down in 2021—a devastating fire that took everything—Marty didn't retire. He was 64 then. Most people would have taken the insurance money and moved to Florida. Not Marty. He rebuilt.
Addressing the Rumors
In the world of reality TV, death hoaxes and "where are they now" rumors are everywhere. You might have seen some confusing search results about a "Marty Raney" passing away in 2022. Just to be clear: that was a different individual from Independence, Kansas. Our Marty—the Alaskan mountain man—is very much alive, well, and likely swinging a chainsaw right now.
He’s also not "faking" the age-defying stunts. While TV always has a bit of production magic, the skills are real. He’s been a contractor since 1982. He’s been a mountain guide since the 80s. The calluses on his hands have been there longer than some of his viewers have been alive.
What You Can Learn from Marty
Marty’s age is just a number, but his approach to life is a blueprint. If you want to stay as capable as he is at 69, it comes down to being "useful."
- Stop Avoiding the Hard Way: Marty chooses the property accessible only by crossing a Class IV river. He doesn't want the easy road.
- Master a Craft: Whether it’s stone masonry or songwriting (yes, he’s a musician too), he never stops learning.
- Family First: He built a legacy by teaching his kids to survive. That kind of connection keeps you grounded.
Marty Raney is 69, but he has the spirit of that 16-year-old kid who stepped off the boat in Alaska decades ago. He’s proof that you don't have to "get old" just because the calendar says so.
🔗 Read more: Is Eddie Levert Still Alive? What the Legend is Doing in 2026
Next Steps for Homestead Fans
If you're inspired by Marty's journey, the best thing you can do is start small with your own self-sufficiency. You don't need to move to Hatcher Pass tomorrow. Start by learning a basic repair skill or planting a small garden. If you want to see more of his specific building techniques, his book Homestead Survival: An Insider's Guide to Your Great Escape covers the technical side of the "Raney Way." Check out the latest episodes of Raney Ranch to see how he and Mollee are continuing to develop their off-grid dream in their late 60s.