Jacob Roloff, former star of the reality television series *Little People, Big World*, and his wife, Isabel, recently spoke with *PEOPLE* about their life together following their six years of marriage. The couple shared insights on parenthood, the evolution of their relationship, and the choice to maintain their privacy in a world that once keenly followed Jacob’s upbringing on screen.
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Jacob, who gained recognition on the TLC series starting in 2006, married Isabel in 2019. The couple welcomed their son, Matteo, in 2021. Despite having lived much of their early life in front of the camera, they have chosen to navigate their marital and parental journey away from the limelight following Jacob’s departure from the show in 2016.
At 29 years of age, Jacob reflected on the transformative journey he has shared with Isabel, who is 30, revealing how their relationship has matured over time. Isabel noted that a crucial aspect of their partnership lies in recognising that individuals change and grow, and couples must embrace that evolution rather than cling to past identities. “We’ve been together since we were 17 and 18,” she pointed out. “Jacob was incredibly shy when we first started dating, and now he embraces public speaking—something I never thought I would see.”
Jacob’s approach to nurturing their relationship is grounded in the practical lessons he learned while growing up on his family’s farm in Oregon. The couple now manages 70 acres of land, where they cultivate a pumpkin patch and tend to 60 animals. He believes that physical activities shared with Isabel and Matteo are a fundamental part of bonding. “Just get your hands dirty with your partner,” he advised. “I love having them with me in the garden; there’s something intimate about working the earth together.”
Isabel humorously responded to Jacob’s idea of an ideal date, asserting that his dream outing might well consist of planting trees. Jacob agreed, revealing that he craves such simple, nature-based experiences with his family.
In recent years, the Roloffs have begun to attract a modest following on social media by sharing snippets of their family life. However, they have maintained a firm stance on protecting Matteo’s privacy by ensuring his face is not disclosed online. This decision is rooted in Jacob’s own experiences as a child in reality TV, where his life was laid bare for public scrutiny.
Jacob expressed his concerns regarding the comments people make without fully understanding the individual involved. “Without even showing Mateo’s face, people feel entitled to make judgements,” he observed. “Comments like, ‘He must be ugly’ or things of that nature can be disheartening.”
Additionally, Isabel supported her husband’s apprehensive stance on sharing their child, noting the importance of shielding Matteo from unwanted projections and expectations that could stem from their online presence. “Jacob was very clear about this from the moment we learned I was pregnant,” she shared. “He said that we were not going to post our son online.”
This commitment to privacy reflects their desire to shape their son’s life on their terms, free from the intense scrutiny they both experienced growing up in front of cameras. It also allows them to enjoy the next chapters of their lives without added pressure from public perception.
As they embark on their journey of parenthood, Jacob and Isabel Roloff are keen to foster a nurturing environment for Matteo, one that encourages growth and positivity. Their reflections on marriage and family life highlight the importance of mutual understanding and respect, and their focus on creating a quiet, fulfilling life away from the spotlight may serve as a valuable lesson in a world where the boundaries of privacy often blur.
Through their candid conversation, the couple provides a glimpse into their lives as they strike a balance between their past experiences and their present reality, ready to embrace the future as a united family.