Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson have both made their mark on Food Network, but their paths to television are very different. Ree Drummond turned her Oklahoma ranch life, recipes and storytelling into The Pioneer Woman, while Eddie Jackson moved from a professional NFL career into cooking and television. Their careers now overlap through Food Network programming, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson Quick Bio
| Profile | Ree Drummond | Eddie Jackson |
| Full Name | Anne Marie “Ree” Drummond | Eddie Paul Jackson Jr. |
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1969 | December 19, 1980 |
| Age | 57 years | 45 years |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $50 million | Estimated around $1 million |
| Birthplace | Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S. | Americus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Nationality | American | American |
| Nickname | Ree; The Pioneer Woman | Chef Eddie Jackson |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Weight | Not reliably confirmed | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Hair Color | Red/Auburn | Black |
| Eye Color | Blue | Brown |
| Profession | Blogger, author, food writer, photographer, television personality and entrepreneur | Chef, television personality, cookbook author, personal trainer and former NFL player |
| Famous For | The Pioneer Woman blog, cookbooks and Food Network show | Winning Season 11 of Food Network Star and his Food Network career |
| Career Beginning | Started The Pioneer Woman blog in 2006 | Entered professional football in 2004; later moved into food and television |
| Education | University of Southern California; studied journalism before switching to gerontology | University of Arkansas |
| Parents | William “Bill” Smith and Gerre Schwert Smith | Publicly available information is limited |
| Siblings | Two brothers and one sister: Doug, Mike and Betsy Smith | Detailed reliable information is limited |
| Marital Status | Married | Married |
| Spouse | Ladd Drummond | Melissa Morris |
| Children | Five children | Two children |
| Family Life | Lives and works around the Drummond ranch and family businesses in Oklahoma | Balances culinary work, fitness and family life |
| Hobbies & Interests | Cooking, photography, ranch life, writing, family and dogs | Cooking, grilling, fitness, football and food |
| Television Breakthrough | The Pioneer Woman premiered on Food Network in 2011 | Won Food Network Star Season 11 in 2015 |
| Major TV Work | The Pioneer Woman, Christmas Cookie Challenge and Food Network appearances | BBQ Blitz, Christmas Cookie Challenge, Outchef’d, BBQ Brawl and other Food Network programs |
| Former Sports Career | None professionally | Former NFL cornerback |
| NFL Teams | Not applicable | Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots |
| Business Ventures | The Pioneer Woman Collection, Pioneer Woman Mercantile, P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop and The Boarding House | Food truck, private-chef work and food-related ventures |
| @thepioneerwoman | @ejacksonfnb | |
| Known For Today | Food Network host, bestselling author and lifestyle entrepreneur | Food Network host, chef and former NFL player |
| Career Style | Ranch lifestyle, approachable home cooking and storytelling | Grilling, barbecue, fitness-focused cooking and competitive food television |
| Height Difference | 5’9″ | 6’0″ — about 3 inches taller |
| Biggest Career Milestone | Building The Pioneer Woman from a blog into a major media and lifestyle brand | Transitioning from the NFL to becoming a Food Network Star winner and television personality |
Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson Images
