Chip & Joanna-Family, Fame & Life On The Farm

Inside the fixer upper alums’ private struggles — and how they came out on top

With their playful banter and undeniable chemistry, Fixer Upper alums Chip and Joanna Gaines are the definition of Couple Goals. “Jo and I [have a] really special bond,” Chip’s said of his wife of more than 16 years. “We raise children together, we’ve got a life together and we enjoy spending time together. I adore this woman!”

But life hasn’t always been as idyllic as it seems. The HGTV stars turned billion- dollar business moguls confess that behind closed doors, they’ve had to work hard at their relationship. “[Our marriage is] not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. We make this look clean to some extent, [but] it’s not like this gravy, perfect-case scenario,” Chip, 44, recently said, admitting that it can be “very hard” to work with a spouse, and that he and Joanna, 41, “definitely” have disagreements. “Lots of hard work goes into this. But at the end of the day, the secret to our marriage is just a real solid mutual respect. [That’s] the [key] ingredient.”

Those close to the pair agree. “Just like most couples, Chip and Jo have had their issues over the years. But they’ve been able to build their marriage into what it is today with kindness, faith, patience and discipline,” an insider tells OK! “It’s been tough at times, but they’ve made it through. They’re happier now than they’ve ever been.”

A ROCKY ROAD