‘Bringing Up Bates’: A Comprehensive Guide to the Bates Family

Credit: Up TV

'Bringing Up Bates': A Comprehensive Guide to the Bates Family

The Bates brood! Gil Bates and Kelly Bates have 19 children and document their family’s lives on Bringing Up Bates.

The couple tied the knot in December 1987 and welcomed their first child the following year. By 2012, Kelly had given birth to nine boys and 10 girls, without any multiples in the mix. Many of their kids have gotten married over the years, giving the pair 14 grandchildren — and counting.

Kelly wrote via Instagram in June 2020 that her grandkids keep her “world so bright and happy.” She gushed, "Best therapy ever! Never a dull moment!"

The UPtv personalities first graced television screens in a 2012 series called United Bates of America. They returned to TV for Bringing Up Bates three years later and had reached their 9th season by March 2020.

Having so many kids was mostly Kelly’s idea, Gil told Christian Examiner in April 2016. "My wife one day said, ‘I think God wants us to trust Him on having children,’” he told the outlet at the time. "I said, ‘Wait a minute. We could have 20 kids. You just can’t do that.’ … There are only two things that are going to last forever – God’s Word and people. We went down a path, and we didn’t know anyone else in the world thought this way, but we were convinced it was what we should do.”

He added, "You may be asked to trust the Lord in having no children; you might not be able to have children. It’s not a matter of how many children God gives you; it’s really a matter for us of finding God’s will for your life, and being willing to trust Him in whatever He’s asked you to do. We didn’t know it would be 19 kids, but I don’t think we would have seen and experienced some of the amazing blessings we’ve seen in life had we not chosen to trust God.”

The Bates family have had a close bond with Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob Duggar over the years, who have also welcomed 19 kids of their own. 

Keep scrolling to see photos of the reality stars’ children and grandchildren.

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Gil Bates and Kelly Bates

Gil and Kelly were born in 1965 and 1966, respectively. They met at Anderson College.

Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Bates/Instagram

Zachary Bates

Their eldest child married Whitney Perkins in December 2013 and share three kids — Bradley, Kaci and Khloé. The couple announced in November 2020 that they are expecting a fourth. Us exclusively revealed their “perfect” son Jadon's arrival in June 2021.

Credit: Courtesy Brandon and Michael Keilen/Instagram

Michaela Bates

The nursing student wed Brandon Keilen in August 2015.

Credit: Courtesy of Erin Bates/Instagram

Erin Bates

She and husband Chad Paine are the parents of son Carson and daughters Brooklyn, Everly and Holland. In August 2021, Erin announced that she is pregnant with baby No. 5. The couple welcomed daughter Finley in January 2022.

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Lawson Bates

The singer works as a reserve deputy for Anderson County’s Sheriff’s Department.

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Nathan Bates

Bates, who is an EMT with a private pilot's license, proposed to Esther Keyes in May 2021. He previously courted Ashley Salyer in 2016.

Credit: Courtesy of Alyssa Bates/Instagram

Alyssa Bates

After marrying John Webster in May 2014, Alyssa went on to welcome daughters Allie, Lexi and Zoey. She announced her fourth pregnancy in August 2020, and daughter Maci arrived six months later..

Credit: Courtesy of Tori Bates/Instagram

Tori Bates

She and husband Bobby Smith share sons Kade and Kolter. The pair announced in January 2021 that baby No. 3 is on the way and shared their plans to name their daughter Charlotte. The infant arrived in June 2021.

Credit: Courtesy of Trace Bates/Instagram

Trace Bates

Gil and Kelly’s eighth child works in law enforcement. Trace got engaged to girlfriend Lydia Romeike in March 2022, exclusively telling Us, “Lydia is my best friend, and she’s the most positive thing in my life.”

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Carlin Bates

In May 2019, Carlin married Evan Stewart. They welcomed their daughter, Layla, in February 2020, and the little one was diagnosed with a heart condition three months later. The couple announced in August 2021 that they are expecting baby No. 2. The pair were “in heaven” when their son arrived seven months later, Carlin gushed via Instagram.

Credit: Courtesy of Josie Bates/Instagram

Josie Bates

Josie and her husband, Kelton Balka, welcomed daughter Willow in July 2019, nine months after their wedding. Us Weekly broke the news in January 2021 that baby No. 2 is on the way, another daughter they plan to name Hazel. She was born in June 2021, Us exclusively revealed.

Credit: Courtesy of Katie Bates/Instagram

Katie Bates

Us exclusively revealed in March 2020 that Katie was courting Travis Clark, the same year she graduated from Crown College. The couple got engaged in April 2021 and tied the knot in December of that year. In February 2023, the duo welcomed their first child, daughter Hailey.

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Jackson Bates

Kelly's son graduated from high school in June 2020.

Credit: Courtesy of Warden Bates/Instagram

Warden Bates

The teenager is currently a student.

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Isaiah Bates

Isaiah is the “tallest Bates family member,” Kelly wrote via Instagram in October 2020.

Credit: Courtesy of Addallee Bates/Instagram

Addallee Bates

Kelly’s 15th child was born premature in 2006 and suffered hearing loss. She now wears hearing aids.

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Ellie Bates

The teenager is “fun, spunky and adventurous."

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Callie Bates

Kelly’s youngest daughter is her “most animated.” She wrote via Instagram in August 2020: “People are drawn to you like a magnet!"

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Jud Bates

The preteen “has grown in the blink of an eye,” Kelly wrote in December 2020 when Jud got braces.

Credit: Courtesy of The Bates Family/Instagram

Jeb Bates

Her and Gil’s youngest child arrived in 2012.