Behind the Scenes with Ree Drummond: The Real Life of The Pioneer Woman When the Cameras Stop Rolling 

Ree Drummond didn’t start her journey in front of the camera.

Before becoming one of Food Network’s most beloved faces, she was a cookbook author and blogger, sharing recipes and stories from her life on a sprawling Oklahoma ranch.

Her first cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl, published in 2009, was a humble beginning.

Ree admits she had “no idea what I was doing” when she wrote it, but embraced the process wholeheartedly—and the world was grateful she did.

The book’s success placed her alongside culinary giants like Julia Child and Irma S. Rombauer, according to Goodreads.

Since then, Ree has authored multiple best-selling cookbooks, each brimming with hearty, approachable recipes and her signature warmth.

But her influence extends far beyond the kitchen.

Launched in 2006, The Pioneer Woman Blog became a sensation, offering a blend of recipes, ranch life tales, and colorful photos that captivated readers worldwide.

By 2010, The New Yorker reported the blog was generating over a million dollars annually—a testament to Ree’s knack for storytelling and connection.

Ree’s creativity didn’t stop with cookbooks and blogging.

She ventured into children’s literature, inspired by her life on the ranch and her beloved Basset Hound, Charlie.

Her Charlie the Ranch Dog series, along with other children’s books, draws from the same heartfelt charm that fuels her cooking empire.

She credits Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie, as a major inspiration.

The Food Network’s rise as a cultural powerhouse has been intertwined with Ree’s success.

With over 300 episodes of The Pioneer Woman under her belt, she ranks among the network’s top chefs.

Beyond her own show, Ree has appeared as a judge and guest on programs like Beat Bobby Flay and The Christmas Cookie Challenge.

She even tried her hand at acting in Candy Coated Christmas, the network’s first film—though she jokes she’ll “stay in her lane” when it comes to acting.

But Ree’s ambitions don’t stop at television.

Together with her husband Ladd, she owns their Oklahoma cattle ranch and a collection of thriving businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

The crown jewel is The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, a destination shop that draws tourists from all over the world.

Here, visitors can find everything from stuffed toys and Christmas ornaments to coffee and, naturally, cookbooks.

The Mercantile also features a large restaurant and bakery, where fans can taste Ree’s original creations, including her famous cinnamon rolls—an indulgence that has become a staple for visitors.

Opening the Mercantile was a labor of love, one that brought Ree immense joy despite the challenges.

The Drummond family’s entrepreneurial spirit extends to an ice cream shop and a pizza joint, adding layers of flavor and fun to the small Oklahoma town.

Hospitality is another frontier for the Drummonds, who own The Pioneer Woman Boarding House, a beautifully remodeled bed and breakfast housed in a building dating back to the 1920s.

Each of its eight guest rooms features a unique theme—from the Emerald Room to the Ranch Room—offering visitors a cozy, personalized stay.

Ree’s brand also includes a popular line of cookware and kitchen essentials sold at Walmart.

Her products range from bakeware and dishes to crock pots and air fryers, all adorned with cheerful, vintage-inspired floral patterns and bright colors.

While most items receive high praise for quality, some reviews note the non-stick coating on her pans can chip—a minor flaw in an otherwise beloved collection.

Her flair for bright, happy colors reflects her personality.

“I can’t do anything plain,” she told Delish.

“I love bright happy colors and things that make you feel good. I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it.”

Beyond the kitchen, Ree’s brand encompasses storage, bedding, bath decor, and apparel—all echoing her signature style.

This colorful aesthetic ties together her many ventures and keeps fans coming back for more.

Although Ree films many scenes showing family life on the ranch, she doesn’t actually film her cooking show in her home.

Instead, she films at The Lodge, a guest house on the property transformed into a filming location and event space open for tours.

Even with a demanding career, Ree balances her family commitments.

When her husband Ladd suffered a serious injury in 2021, breaking his neck in a ranch accident, Ree was by his side, demonstrating her dedication beyond the camera.

She also passes on her culinary wisdom to her children.

In an episode dedicated to dorm room cooking, Ree shared simple recipes and kitchen essentials with her daughter Alex before college—showing that even a TV star knows the value of practical skills.

Ree’s nephew Stuart Smith has worked behind the scenes on her show, illustrating the family’s close involvement in the business.

When he left to pursue an internship in Chicago, Ree expressed heartfelt pride and love, underscoring the family’s tight-knit nature.

Financially, Ree Drummond’s success is substantial.

With an estimated net worth of $50 million, she’s on par with other Food Network stars like Guy Fieri and not far behind Bobby Flay and Ina Garten.

Meanwhile, her husband Ladd’s estimated net worth is even higher—around $200 million—thanks to their extensive land holdings and business ventures.

The Drummond family’s assets include a lucrative government land use contract and ownership of 433,000 acres, making them the 23rd largest landowners in the United States.

Always exploring new ventures, the Drummonds recently opened P-Town Pizza and Charlie’s Sweet Shop in Pawhuska, continuing their commitment to local business and community.

Despite her busy schedule and business empire, Ree has also focused on her health.

In 2022, she shared that she had lost about 50 pounds by adopting a healthier lifestyle—cutting out alcohol, weighing food portions, and adding exercise like walking and weightlifting.

Importantly, she emphasized moderation, still enjoying her favorite foods like cake in reasonable amounts.

Ree describes this change as a “perspective shift” rather than a strict lifestyle overhaul, highlighting a balanced approach to wellness.

In the end, Ree Drummond’s life off-camera is as vibrant and multi-faceted as the dishes she creates.

From managing a ranch and a bustling business empire to nurturing her family and embracing health, Ree’s story is one of hard work, creativity, and heartfelt connection—proving that the Pioneer Woman is much more than a TV personality.

She’s a modern-day Renaissance woman thriving in the heart of Oklahoma.