Rachel HollisRachel Hollis

Who is Rachel Hollis?

Rachel Hollis is an American author, motivational speaker, and lifestyle influencer known for her empowering self-help books and candid approach to personal development. She gained widespread recognition with her bestselling books, including Didn’t See That Coming, Girl, Wash Your Face, and Girl, Stop Apologizing. Born on January 9, 1983, Rachel stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, equaling 1.68 meters.

Dive deep into the life of Cez Darke, a British Tour Manager and a partner to Rachel Hollis

How old is Rachel Hollis?

Rachel was born on January 9, 1983, in Weedpatch, California, making her 42 years old as of 2025. She always celebrates her birthday on January 9 every year, and her zodiac sign is Capricorn.

Personal Information Summary

Real NameRachel Hollis
Gender IdentityFemale
Date of BirthJanuary 9, 1983
Age42 years old as of 2025
Birth PlaceWeedpatch, California
Zodiac SignCapricorn
NationalityAmerican
EthnicityNot publicly specified
Net WorthThe estimated net worth is $3 million
OccupationAuthor, motivational speaker, entrepreneur
Books & Notable WorksGirl, Wash Your Face
Girl, Stop Apologizing
Didn’t See That Coming
She also wrote fiction, including Party Girl and Sweet Girl, and launched a lifestyle blog called TheChicSite.com
ThemesPersonal growth, self-empowerment, authenticity, overcoming adversity, especially for women
AchievementsNamed one of Inc. Magazine’s “30 Entrepreneurs Under 30” in 2009
Her viral Instagram post in 2015, celebrating her stretch marks, helped launch her into mainstream media
Founded Chic Events, a successful event-planning company
Built a multimedia brand including books, podcasts, conferences, and digital content
Influence & MediaHollis rose to fame after a viral Instagram post celebrating her stretch marks, which resonated with many for its body-positive message.
Rachel Hollis
Rachel Hollis

Early Life and Education

Rachel Hollis was born on January 9, 1983, in Weedpatch, California, a small rural town in the Central Valley. Her upbringing was marked by hardship, including financial struggles, personal trauma, and an abusive stepfather. After completing high school, Hollis moved to Los Angeles, where she began working at Miramax, a film production company. This job exposed her to the entertainment industry and sparked her interest in event planning and storytelling. She worked multiple jobs to put herself through college at California State University, where she studied communications. After getting unexpectedly pregnant and dropping out briefly, Hollis returned to finish her degree in 2004. She eventually founded her own company, Chic Events, alongside Dave Hollis, which specialized in organizing high-profile events and weddings.

Parent’s nameFather: Farrell Neeley
Mother: Sheree Edwards
SiblingsBrother, Ryan Neeley

Rachel Hollis was born to Farrell Neeley and Sheree Edwards in Weedpatch, California. Her father, Farrell, was a Pentecostal evangelist, which shaped much of her early exposure to faith and public speaking. As for siblings, Rachel has one brother named Ryan Neeley

Is Rachel Hollis Married?

Hollis is in a relationship with Cez Darke, a well-known music industry professional who has managed artists like Shawn Mendes. The couple reportedly began dating after her divorce from Dave Hollis in 2020, and their relationship has been publicly acknowledged through social media and interviews. The couple got engaged in March 2024, and they announced their engagement during a ski trip, sharing joyful moments and photos on Instagram. Their relationship has drawn attention for its openness and the way they navigate love in the public eye.

Relationship StatusEngaged
PartnerCez Darke
ChildrenNoah Elizabeth Hollis and the other three, whose names are yet to be updated.

Rachel Hollis’s Ex-Husband

Hollis was previously married to Dave Hollis, a former Disney executive. They got married on May 29, 2004, when she was 21 years old, and went on to be together for over 15 years before announcing their divorce in June 2020. Rachel publicly shared the news in June 2020, and Dave followed with his own statement in July, both expressing sadness and a commitment to co-parenting their four children. The split came as a surprise to many fans who had followed their journey as a seemingly strong and inspirational couple in the self-help and motivational space.

Dave, however, died of an accidental overdose on February 12, 2023, at his home near Austin, Texas. An autopsy revealed that he had fatal levels of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol in his system. Her four children include Sawyer, Ford, Jackson, and her known daughter called Noah Elizabeth Hollis (whom she adopted in January 2018), who turned six in February 2023.

What does Rachel Hollis do to earn a living?

Rachel earns a living through multiple income streams tied to her brand as a motivational figure and entrepreneur. Her primary income sources are paid speaking engagements, podcast & digital media, consulting & coaching, merchandise & brand collaborations, and book sales.

Rachel Hollis Career Background

Rachel Hollis began her career in Los Angeles, where she worked at Miramax, a film production company. This early exposure to the entertainment industry sparked her interest in event planning and storytelling. She later founded Chic Events, a successful event-planning company that catered to high-profile clients and celebrity weddings. As her brand grew, Hollis transitioned into the digital space by launching a lifestyle blog called TheChicSite.com. The blog covered topics ranging from recipes and home décor to personal development and motherhood. Her writing style and relatable content resonated with a wide audience, especially women seeking inspiration and empowerment.

Recent Controversy

Rachel Hollis faced renewed backlash in 2024 when a video resurfaced of her discussing her house cleaner during a livestream. In the clip, she mentioned a woman who “cleans her toilets” and defended her privilege by saying she worked hard to afford such luxuries. When criticized for being “unrelatable,” Hollis doubled down, saying she had no interest in being relatable and compared herself to iconic figures like Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey

This sparked outrage across social media, with many accusing her of tone-deafness and elitism. Critics pointed out that her comments reflected a lack of awareness about socioeconomic realities and perpetuated harmful stereotypes about success and privilege. She later issued a public apology, acknowledging the hurt caused by her remarks and promising to do better.

Podcast

In 2019, Rachel Hollis launched a podcast syndication platform called Three Percent Chance. This network became the hub for several popular shows, including Straight Up with Trent Shelton, Start Today Morning Show, Rise Together Podcast, Talking Body hosted by Amy Porterfield, and The New EDU featuring Hope King and Wade King from Get Your Teach On. Additionally, Rachel and her then-husband Dave Hollis co-hosted a podcast together titled RISE. Rachel is also the host of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, a popular self-improvement show that blends motivational insights with practical advice. As a bestselling author and speaker, Hollis uses the podcast to connect with listeners who are seeking more joy, purpose, and productivity in their lives.

Books

Rachel Hollis is a bestselling author whose books have resonated with millions, especially women seeking motivation and authenticity in their lives. Her notable works include Girl, Wash Your Face (2018), Girl, Stop Apologizing (2019), Didn’t See That Coming (2020), Party Girl (2014), and Real Life Dinners (2018). Her books focus on themes of personal growth, resilience, and unapologetic ambition, often drawing from her own life experiences.

How Tall is Rachel Hollis?

Rachel is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, equaling 1.68 meters.

Rachel Hollis Net Worth

As of 2025, Rachel Hollis has an estimated net worth of $3 million. Her wealth primarily stems from her success as a motivational speaker, author, and entrepreneur.

Social Media

Rachel is gaining popularity on social media, where she connects with her audience and promotes her work. You can follow her on her social media handles:

Instagram@msrachelhollis, which has more than 1.4 million followers
Facebook@Rachel Hollis, which has more than 1.7 million followers
TikTok@rachel_hollis, which has more than 300 followers
YouTube@Rachel Hollis, where she has more than 188k subscribers

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