It’s been years since that iconic lopsided bob hairstyle dominated TLC, but honestly, the fallout from Jon & Kate Plus 8 is still one of the most intense case studies in reality TV history. You’ve probably seen the headlines. The messy divorce, the public feuds, and the kids who don't talk to each other anymore. But where do they actually stand in 2026?
The family is fundamentally split. It’s not just a "we don't get along at Christmas" kind of thing; it's a deep, geographical and emotional divide.
The Great Gosselin Divide
Basically, the family is in two camps. On one side, you have Kate in North Carolina. She’s living her "German Shepherd dog mom era" and working as a pediatric home health care nurse. Most of the sextuplets—Aaden, Alexis, Leah, and Joel—are with her. They recently turned 21 in May 2025, which makes us all feel incredibly old.
On the other side, there’s Jon in Pennsylvania. He recently remarried in November 2025, tying the knot with his longtime partner, Stephanie Lebo. Interestingly, only two of his eight children were there: Hannah and Collin.
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- The Pro-Kate Camp: Mady, Cara, Alexis, Aaden, Leah, and Joel.
- The Pro-Jon Camp: Hannah and Collin.
The rift between Collin and Kate is particularly dark. Collin has been very vocal on TikTok and in interviews about his time in a behavioral facility as a child, claiming it was a form of isolation. Kate, meanwhile, has stood by her decisions, citing "educational and social challenges" he faced. It’s a classic "he-said, she-said" but with the weight of childhood trauma attached.
Where the Kids Are Now
Most of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 kids are now college graduates or deep into their own careers.
Mady and Cara, the twins, are 25. They’ve mostly ditched the spotlight. Cara is reportedly working as a financial analyst in NYC, while Mady remains in the city as well, occasionally popping up on social media to defend her mom or share a glimpse of her life. They haven't spoken to Jon in over a decade.
Then you have the sextuplets. Hannah and Collin live in Pennsylvania. Collin actually started his own business recently—Gosselin Pressure Washing LLC. He’s 21, working for himself, and trying to move past the "reality star" label. Hannah is still the "bridge" of the family, recently spotted in NYC with Mady and Cara, which was a huge shock to fans who thought they never spoke.
The New Relationships
Kate finally went public with her own relationship. For years, people whispered about her and her former bodyguard, Steve Neild. In late 2025, she finally confirmed they were dating, and as of January 2026, they were spotted vacationing together in New Zealand.
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She's been showing off a ring on her wedding finger on TikTok, but she’s quick to tell fans it’s just her "regular jewelry." No second wedding for Kate just yet.
Jon’s life is much more domestic these days. After years of DJing and "Ed Hardy-ing it up" (as some fans joke), he seems to have settled down with Stephanie. His daughter Hannah even toasted the couple at the wedding, proving that while the family is broken, some bonds are still incredibly strong.
The Financial Aftermath
People always ask: where did the money go?
Kate actually addressed this on TikTok recently. She admitted that between providing for eight kids, paying for all eight of their college educations, and—this is the big one—lawyers, the TLC "gravy train" is mostly gone. She’s back to working a 9-to-5 nursing job because, as she put it, the legal battles were "sickeningly" expensive.
It’s a sobering reminder that while reality TV looks like easy money, the cost of fame—especially the legal cost of a public divorce—can wipe out a fortune.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the family without falling for clickbait, here’s what you should do:
- Follow the Kids, Not Just the Parents: Mady and Hannah are the most active on social media and provide the most grounded updates.
- Check TikTok for Kate's "Live" Sessions: Kate has been surprisingly candid lately during her "dog mom" updates.
- Support Collin’s Business: If you're in Pennsylvania and need a driveway cleaned, Gosselin Pressure Washing is a real, legitimate way to support one of the kids who had the roughest time.
- Don't Expect a Reunion: Both Jon and Kate have stated they haven't spoken in person since roughly 2018. A full family photo is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
The story of the Gosselins is no longer a "cute kids" show. It's a complex narrative about the lasting impact of childhood fame and the difficulty of rebuilding after the cameras stop rolling.