Savannah Chrisley says Grayson Chrisley had to ‘grow up so fast’ after parents went to prison
Savannah Chrisley says her parents’ prison sentence has been tough on her younger brother, Grayson Chrisley.
When Todd and Julie Chrisley reported to their respective prisons in January 2023, their youngest son was just 16 years old. Today, the 18-year-old is a college student.
Todd Chrisley and his wife Julie Chrisley were found guilty of financial fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States in November 2022. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison while she received a 7-year sentence.
While serving as her brother’s legal guardian over the last two years, Savannah Chrisley has noticed the impact her parents’ absence has had on Grayson Chrisley.
“He had to grow up so fast and I hate it,” the 27-year-old told People in a new interview. “But at the same time, this whole situation has taught him how cruel the world can be, and how you have to protect yourself. And as cruel as it’s been, he also has kept this softness about him, and he’s in therapy every single week.”
Savannah Chrisley went on to applaud her younger brother for trying to maintain a positive attitude while his parents serve their prison sentences.
“I just love to see the heart that he has, and how he’s shown up,” she said.
The reality star continued, saying, “That’s how you want any man in your life to be is to show up for you and show up well, and show up even when they get it wrong. He’s learning those lessons at 16 years old, when all this happened. And now he’s 18, and it’s just, I could not be more proud.”
Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced to prison in 2022 after being indicted on 12 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States in 2019.
Savannah Chrisley took on custody of Grayson Chrisley and her niece, Chloe Chrisley, when her parents went to prison. She said Grayson Chrisley says Savannah Chrisley “saved” him and Chloe.
“He says that. But I look at him and I’m like, he saved me more times than I can count,” she said.
Grayson Chrisley is now attending college at the University of Alabama and is “thriving,” according to his sister.
“As it got closer, he was like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t want to do this.’ He was so afraid of leaving me because he knew just how helpful he was to me, and how we just have this bond together. I looked at him, I was like, ‘It’s OK,’” she said.
Savannah Chrisley encouraged her brother to follow his dreams of pursuing a career in sports management.
“I want him to find happiness and a sense of self, and fulfillment. I want him to be so proud of the person that he is,” she said.
