Nearly two decades have passed since the reality television phenomenon, ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8,’ premiered on TLC, captivating audiences with the trials and tribulations of Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight children. The show first aired in 2007, chronicling the family’s unique dynamics through its final incarnation, ‘Kate Plus 8,’ which wrapped up in 2017. Since then, the lives of the Gosselin children—Mady, Cara, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah, and Joel—have evolved significantly, marked by notable achievements and personal growth.
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The series was not just about the cute antics of a large family but also detailed Jon and Kate’s highly publicised split in 2009. Their separation was initially motivated by allegations of infidelity against Jon, which they hoped to navigate amicably for the sake of their children. However, the journey turned tumultuous, leading to a division in the living arrangements of the children once they opted to reside with either Kate or Jon. Remarkably, in 2023, all eight siblings celebrated significant milestones, with the twins graduating from university and the younger sextuplets completing their high school studies.
On May 10, 2025, Kate commemorated the 21st birthday of her sextuplets with a heartfelt post on Instagram, expressing pride and joy in reaching this milestone. The birthday celebration, however, highlighted a divide within the family, with two of the sextuplets, Hannah and Collin, absent from the gathering. While Kate celebrated with four of her children, Hannah chose to spend her special day with Jon, reflecting the complex family dynamics that have persisted since the show’s end.
Today, Kate resides in North Carolina, where she works as a pediatric home health care nurse. In a move that combines nostalgia and connectivity, she has recently joined TikTok, where she shares snippets from her life while revealing that her children, now adults, are interested in revisiting their early reality show days. “My adult kids are now watching our show with their friends,” she remarked, highlighting a heartwarming aspect of their shared history.
Mady Gosselin, the eldest of the twins, pursued her passion for storytelling by graduating from Syracuse University in 2023 with a degree in English textual studies, film and screen studies, complemented by a minor in art history. Mady, who once aspired to be an actress, now shares glimpses of her life on TikTok, engaging with fans and followers.
Her twin sister, Cara, studied mathematics and economics at Fordham University, from which she graduated in the same year. Unlike Mady, she tends to shy away from the limelight and has a lesser presence on social media, but she did appear alongside Mady in support of their mother during promotional events for ‘Kate Plus Date.’
Among the sextuplets, Alexis leads a quieter existence after graduating from high school in 2023. During the show’s airing, she expressed a love for animals and an ambition to work with them, a passion that continues to influence her life choices. In 2017, the Gosselin family adopted a parakeet named Zorro, with Alexis forming a close bond with her feathered friend.
Hannah, who has been residing full-time with Jon and her brother Collin since 2018, has carved out her own path. In May 2022, she launched her cruelty-free beauty brand, Gosselin Girl Beauty, and has since pursued a degree in business administration at the University of Miami after graduating from high school in 2023.
Aaden Gosselin, another member of the sextuplet brood, has maintained a low profile after his high school graduation. He has made occasional appearances in his mother’s social media updates and continues to embrace a more private life.
Collin, however, has had a more turbulent journey. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, though his time was marred by public disputes with Kate regarding their relationship. He has since been discharged and now studies at Penn State while operating a power-washing company.
Leah Gosselin has also chosen to share her college experience somewhat publicly, documenting her journey on TikTok. She has shown her followers glimpses of her university life, including her first day and her dorm decor.
The youngest of the sextuplets, Joel, primarily remains out of the social media spotlight but is currently attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he is studying accounting and business management. His appearances have mostly been within family updates shared by Kate.
As the Gosselin children continue to grow and carve their own paths away from the cameras that once followed them, the legacy of ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8’ persists, marking a unique chapter in the world of reality television and the lives of those it documented.