Little-Known Facts About Celebrity Chef, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond
Ree Drummond might be the brains behind "The Pioneer Woman," but there are some interesting facts, secrets, and even scandals surrounding the Oklahoma native that aren't as well-known as her blog and Food Network cooking show.
From her need for speed resulting in more than a few traffic tickets to the reasoning behind her husband's nickname being "The Marlboro Man," here are some facts about Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.
During College, She Was A Vegetarian
Ree Drummond attended the University of Southern California for college. And, as it turns out, if you take a country girl out of the country and plop her in Los Angeles, she turns into a vegetarian!
Starting a vegetarian lifestyle as a freshman, it was three years before Ree couldn't take it anymore, sneaking a burger to fulfill her meat craving. Then, it was another three years before she gave up the diet altogether.
She Has Gotten A Lot Of Speeding Tickets
As it turns out, Ree Drummond doesn't just have a knack for creating good and engaging content. She also has a knack for collecting her fair share of speeding tickets! Apparently, Drummond has a need for speed and a heavy foot to go along with it.
According to Drummond's family lawyer, "Maybe [she has] a little bit of a heavy foot. But [Ree's] always been a law-abiding citizen." When it comes to breaking the law, a speeding ticket is probably the least concerning!
Movies Trump Music In The Kitchen
Cooking to music gets a lot of people into a certain kind of groove in the kitchen. But for celebrity chef, Ree Drummond, a different type of entertainment is used when preparing meals.
When The Food Network asked what type of music she liked listening to, Ree's response wasn't what they expected. She actually prefers to watch movies instead of listening to the latest hits. According to her interview, she enjoys watching films such as The Godfather and Napoleon Dynamite.
The Drummond Children Were Homeschooled
Ever since the Drummonds' oldest son, Axel, finished kindergarten, Ree has been homeschooling. Now there are four younger Drummonds, each one taking lessons from their mom on the family ranch.
Ree's reasoning behind homeschooling is simple. She was used to having her kids on the ranch, and the commute to a formal school was very long. According to Ree's blog, she and her husband Ladd went the homeschooling route because they were spending up to three hours a day on the bus to get to and from school.
Steak, The Key To Her Blog's Success
Before Ree Drummond found success on The Food Network and The New York Times Best-Seller List, she was just a regular lady trying to get her blog off the ground. Interestingly, her platform was initially intended solely for friends and family.
All it took was one step-by-step tutorial on how to make the perfect steak, and all of a sudden, Ree's blog, The Pioneer Woman, was up and running with a fan base that only seemed to get larger!
Ree's Parents Had A Juicy Split
When Ree was growing up, something happened in her family that wouldn't exactly qualify as a wholesome affair. Her parents, William Dale Smith and Gerre Schwert, are divorced, and for a very surprising reason.
According to In Touch magazine, the two split up after Ree's father learned that her mother was having an affair. But it wasn't just any affair. Gerre was actually cheating on William with the family pastor!
Wait...Ree Has Another Blog?
Ree Drummond is definitely known for her personal blog, The Pioneer Woman, a platform and brand that paved the way for her to host her own cooking show on The Food Network. But what fans might be interested to hear is that Ree has another blog.
Tasty Kitchen was built as a way for Ree's fans to post, share, and enjoy each other's yummy recipes, everything from bread and canning to cakes and recipes with special dietary needs.
Ladd Told Ree He Loved Her After Two Weeks
After their initial meeting in a bar, it took four months for Ladd Drummond to get up the courage to ask Ree out on an actual date. Eventually, he asked her to dinner. And, being a gentleman, he didn't kiss her until the second date.
That was pretty much the only "slow" part of their relationship since Ladd has said that he knew right away that Ree was the woman for him. It only took two short weeks for him to say, "I love you."
It Was Ladd That Made Ree Into A Country Gal
While Ree Drummond was born and raised in Oklahoma, she never saw it as the place where she'd set down roots. That is until she met her future husband, Ladd. On a girls' night out in her hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Ree spotted Ladd across a bar and was immediately drawn to his "cowboy look."
At the time, she had no intention of staying in Oklahoma. But after falling for the country boy, she decided to make an exception.
Six To Seven Types Of Hot Peppers Are Always In The Fridge
Most people have something that can always be found in their refrigerator. Whether it be olives, ketchup, or pickled garlic, there are some items that always have a home. In Ree Drummond's case, it's more than a few items.
According to an interview the Pioneer Woman had with The Food Network, she doesn't know what her kitchen would be unless there were at least six to seven different types of hot peppers at the ready in her refrigerator.
Ree's Friend Gave Ladd A Quirky Nickname
The Pioneer Woman's husband, Ladd Drummond, has quite an interesting nickname. During a baby shower, Ladd was sitting outside in his typical cowboy attire. He looked so much like the Marlboro man cigarette advertisements that someone made a comment, saying the Marlboro Man was sitting outside on the porch.
The Drummonds' friend Hyacinth liked the comment so much that they made it Ladd's nickname. Ree's even been known to write "The Marlboro Man" instead of "Ladd" on her blog.
Ree's Daughter Paige Was Arrested For Public Intoxication
In 2019, Ree's daughter Paige Drummond was arrested for possession of alcohol under the age of 21 as well as public intoxication, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She allegedly had an open container of beer with her. According to a document filed by the district attorney, Paige appeared to be "in a drunken condition" at the time of her arrest.
Three months after the incident, Paige told her social media followers that she was excited to be attending a month-long Christian camp in Missouri. She later shared that she enjoyed the camping experience.
Photography Is One Of Her Creative Outlets
When she's not in front of the camera, Ree Drummond very much enjoys spending time behind the lens. She's a huge lover of photography and even dedicates part of her personal website, The Pioneer Woman, to helpful tips and tricks for beginners just getting into the craft.
Her website also hosts many photography contests. Drummond takes pleasure in judging, posting, and commenting on the work of her finalists and winners.
Her Basset Hound, Charlie, Is Famous
It takes one scroll down The Pioneer Woman's Instagram page to know that she is in love with her pets. Charlie, the basset hound, isn't a normal pet, though. He's famous!
Ree Drummond actually has a collection of children's books centered around her adorable and loving pooch. Some of the titles include Charlie Plays Ball, Charlie the Ranch Dog: Stuck in the Mud, and Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie Goes to the Doctor.
She Started Losing Weight In 2021
In Spring 2021, Drummond confessed that stay-at-home orders had led to her eating more throughout the day. She told her Tik Tok followers, "I can't get away from food and I love to eat. Of course, it crept up on me through the years, especially during COVID."
She made the decision to "get busy and lose some weight" and that she did! Drummond showed off her noticeably thinner figure on Tik Tok, along with her weight loss story. She shared that she's lost 38 pounds so far, cutting calories and lifting weights. "I look better but I feel so much better and that's what really counts."
Ree Hates Bananas!
As a celebrity chef and cook, many would think Ree Drummond is a lover of all foods, no matter what they are. Well, that's not necessarily the case for the Pioneer Woman. During an interview with The Food Network, Ree revealed one fruit that she can't stand.
When asked what food she wouldn't be caught eating, Ree said, "Anything remotely related to bananas. Banana splits, banana cream pie, banana bread ... I want nothing to do with them. BLECH."
Ree And Ladd Prioritize Spending Time Together
Even though Ree lives an extremely busy life, working on her popular blog, The Pioneer Woman, filming her cooking show, and writing books, she has something else that takes priority. According to the couple, Ree and Ladd's marriage has been so successful because they prioritize spending time together.
Whether it's watching old western movies or The Godfather series, snacking, or just relaxing around the house, they make a point to spend time with each other.
No One Saw Ree Marrying A Cowboy
According to Ree, she had no intention of settling down in Oklahoma. She made her way to Los Angeles as soon as she graduated high school and had plans to move to Chicago afterward. So, it came as quite a shock to those closest to her that she ended up falling for a cowboy!
In a blog post, Ree wrote, "I was literally THE last person anyone ever pictured moving to the country. When I announced my engagement to a cowboy, my childhood friends couldn't believe it."
Her Husband and Son Were Injured in an Accident on the Ranch
On March 10, 2021, Ree Drummond's husband and son were both involved in an accident on the family's ranch in Osage County, Oklahoma. Each of them was driving a Himmat Fire Truck and accidentally collided with each other due to "high winds on a gravel road"
Drummond shared an update on Facebook the following day saying, "Caleb and Ladd are both in the hospital, but we think they will both be okay. As a family we are giving thanks today, knowing things could have been much worse."
Ree Is In The Oklahoma Hall Of Fame
In 2018, Ree Drummond was honored as an inductee of the 91st Oklahoma Hall of Fame class, alongside the likes of singer Carrie Underwood. It was a big day for Drummond, especially since it was her husband, Ladd, who introduced her to the rest of the crowd.
On an Instagram post showcasing the evening, Ree wrote of her husband, saying, "He spoke in front of 1,400 people, and I got a lump in my throat watching him backstage because I was so darn proud of him."
There's A Barbie Modeled After Her
For many little girls, having a Barbie look like them would be a dream come true! Well, in 2018, Mattel made Ree Drummond into a Barbie doll, complete with Ree's signature red hair, cowboy boots, and a kitchen set.
And when we say "kitchen set," we mean it. The fridge is stocked with ingredients, there are utensils, a rolling pin, bowls, and the pantry even has appliances such as a mixer and a toast-popping toaster.
Growing Up, She Was An Oklahoma Country Club Girl
When people think of Oklahoma, cattle ranches might be the first thing that comes to mind. Well, that wasn't the case for Ree Drummond. As a young girl, she grew up with a stay-at-home mother and a surgeon for a father.
No ranches to be seen there! According to Ree, her childhood was spent going to and from ballet classes and hanging out at her parents', wait for it, country club! No wonder she wasn't for the "country lifestyle."
Cooking For Her Husband Is Always A Treat
It's no secret that Ree Drummond is one amazing cook. Just hop onto her blog or watch an episode of The Pioneer Woman on The Food Network. But what some people might not know is that she loves cooking for her husband, Lee.
So much so that she's actually named a sandwich after him, The Marlboro Man Sandwich. According to Ree's blog, the sandwich includes a cube steak and onions sauteed in a whole lot of butter, seasoning salt, Worcestershire Sauce, and Tobasco and piled high on a deli roll.
Coffee, Coffee, And Some More Coffee
Guilty pleasure foods... most people have one. Whether it be a carton of mint chip ice cream, a box of goldfish, or anything and everything chocolate, if it's available, it will be eaten. For Ree Drummond, her guilty pleasure is actually something unexpected.
A hardcore coffee lover, Ree loves any dessert that tastes like coffee. According to an interview she had with The Food Network, "Any coffee-flavored dessert is a weakness of mine. Tiramisu, coffee ice cream, coffee-toffee pie ... I'll take it all."
Before The Pioneer Woman, Ree Was On Another Show
Before becoming The Pioneer Woman and getting her own cooking show on The Food Network, Ree Drummond worked on another popular cooking show. Ever hear of Bobby Flay? Well, he's a celebrity chef who's had more than a few cooking shows.
Ree was lucky enough to appear on one! On the Thanksgiving-themed episode of Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Ree competed against Flay in a five-course Thanksgiving dinner cook-off. Ree wound up beating the chef at his own game!
There Is Always A Jar Of Nutella In The Pantry
It might not come as much of a surprise to learn that Ree Drummond keeps a very well-stocked pantry. But what may shock some people is that there is one item that she always has readily available: Nutella!
The best part about the Nutella is that Ree makes sure to hide it very well. According to The Pioneer Woman, she goes as far as hiding the sweet treat in pickle pots, so her sons don't get their hands on it.
Ree Has A Net Worth Of $50 Million
Between all of her different ventures, Ree Drummond has made a very nice living. As a celebrity chef, New York Times best-selling author, popular blogger, photographer, television personality, and food writer, Ree has a net worth of $50 million as of 2020.
That's not a bad payout for a lady who started her career as nothing more than a blogger writing about the pros and cons of homeschooling her children and how to cook a proper steak.
She Loves Butter
When it comes to the age-old argument of butter vs. cream cheese, Ree Drummond will pick butter every time. For those familiar with her recipes, this might not come as too much of a shocker.
Especially when reading the ingredients of some of her desserts, one ingredient that always has a prominent place in the mixture is a stick or more of butter! Take her bread recipe, for example; she calls for one stick of butter per half a loaf!
No Cowgirls Were Allowed In The Renovated Attic
Ree Drummond and her family might live on a ranch, but that doesn't mean everything is cowboy and cowgirl-themed. Take Ree's daughter's newly renovated bedroom, for example. Once the attic, the girls had one request when it was announced that they'd be designing a brand new room: no cowgirls!
So, Ree brought in Manhattan designers Cortney and Robert Novogratz of HGTV to bring a bit of edge to the country house, including hanging swing beds, portraits of the girls, and even carpet tiles!
There's A Pioneer Woman Boutique Hotel
Ree Drummond is a lady of many talents, from her popular blog, cooking show, or even her best-selling books. But one venture many people don't know about is her boutique bed and breakfast, located in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
The Pioneer Woman Boarding House first opened back in 2018 and is marketed as "an eight-room "cowboy luxury" hotel." Since it's a tinier lodging, Ree and her husband have been sure to take extra care with each room, giving them all their own themes, such as the emerald room.
For Ree, Migas Is The Breakfast Foods Of Breakfast Foods
For morning meals, most people have a go-to breakfast that they enjoy. But when it comes to a celebrity chef, breakfast is a bit more "complicated." Instead of going for a bowl of dried cereal and milk, Ree Drummond is all about migas.
First introduced to her while visiting her sister in Austin, Texas, migas is a Tex-Mex dish consisting of scrambled eggs, cheese, tortillas, and salsa. Of course, Ree highly recommends adding other toppings, such as chorizo or vegetables.
The Pioneer Woman Opened A Restaurant
Ree Drummond's food blog and Food Network cooking show became so popular that she wound up opening a restaurant in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The Pioneer Woman Mercantile is a wildly popular destination, with around 6,000 guests visiting per day!
Originally they bought the building back in 2012 but it took a few years and a lot of renovations before the Drummonds opened for business in 2018. Now, it's a must-see and must-eat place for anyone cruising through town.
The Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Is A Popular Walmart Item
Considering she's a well-known celebrity chef, it's only fitting that Ree Drummond has her own branded instant pot! Only found on the shelves of Walmart, The Pioneer Woman Instant Pot comes in two floral patterns and is very pretty compared to the standard black, grey, or silver.
Unfortunately, they tend to sell out very fast. Buyers just want to try out The Pioneer Woman's Instant Pot pot roast, it seems!
