The life of Savannah Chrisley, star of Chrisley Knows Best, has taken a dramatic turn in recent years, marked by both personal growth and profound hardship.

In a candid interview with Entertainment Tonight published on September 11, 2023, Savannah opened up about how her spending habits drastically shifted following

her parents’ legal troubles, revealing the challenges she’s faced as the matriarch of her family in a time of crisis.

“I will make no bones about it, I spent my money like it was never ever gonna go away,” Savannah, now 26, confessed, reflecting on her past indulgences. “It wasn’t until everything changed that I realized how reckless I had been.” These words, filled with honesty and a tinge of regret, paint a picture of the young woman who once lived a life of luxury and excess, a life that came crashing down after her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were embroiled in a highly publicized legal scandal.

The legal woes that would alter the trajectory of the entire Chrisley family’s life began in 2019 when Todd and Julie were accused of multiple counts of tax fraud and financial misconduct. The charges stemmed from the couple’s alleged use of inflated income to obtain loans, as well as falsifying documents to avoid taxes. In 2022, the Chrisleys were convicted of 12 counts of bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. The sentencing was a harsh reality for the couple and their children—Todd was handed a 12-year sentence, and Julie, his wife, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison. For Savannah, this marked the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and hardship.

In the interview, Savannah shared how difficult it was to navigate life after her parents’ imprisonment, especially after being entrusted with the care of her younger brother Grayson and her half-brother Kyle’s daughter, Chloe. “When you’re in a single-income household, you do whatever you have to,” she explained. “I feel like God never gives you more than you can bear. I feel like what is happening right now is exactly what I needed to not be this spoiled, entitled whatever.”

Savannah’s emotional journey over the past few years has been nothing short of transformative. For someone who was once accustomed to a life of affluence and luxury, she was now faced with the harsh realities of providing for her family under difficult circumstances. The weight of caring for two younger siblings while managing a rapidly changing financial situation put her resilience to the test. The once-carefree daughter of reality TV stars had become a protector, caretaker, and responsible adult in the blink of an eye.

“I feel like what’s happening now is testing who I am as a person,” Savannah shared. “It took away a lot of things. For about a year, anything work-wise disappeared. Everything I thought I knew was taken from me.” The reality of losing her parents, the cornerstone of her public life, coupled with the financial impact of their sentencing, forced Savannah to reevaluate everything—from her priorities to her sense of self-worth.

But through it all, she found a silver lining. Her struggles, though daunting, became a source of strength. “I’ve had to learn that life isn’t always going to go the way you want it to,” she reflected. “I’ve been pushed to my limits, and though it’s been painful, it’s also shaped me into the person I am today.”

The impact of the Chrisleys’ legal troubles didn’t just shake Savannah’s finances but also rattled the entire Chrisley family dynamic. Having to step into a role of responsibility that she wasn’t prepared for has forced Savannah to mature in ways that few can relate to. She stepped into a parental role for her brother and niece, offering them the stability and love they desperately needed as their world was turned upside down.

This newfound responsibility also forced Savannah to think differently about her financial habits. In a previous life, she lived in the lap of luxury—her extravagant spending was well-documented on Chrisley Knows Best. But now, with her parents in prison and no clear path back to the life she once knew, she had to adjust her mindset. “I went from living a life of excess to cutting back in ways that I never imagined,” Savannah shared. “It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I’ve learned to be wiser with my money.”

Her story of financial reckoning is just one part of the larger narrative that has unfolded since the Chrisleys’ convictions. Beyond the financial and emotional toll, Savannah’s journey has become a testament to resilience. In a world where social media often celebrates glamour and wealth, Savannah’s experience of going from riches to rags—quite literally—is a sobering reminder of the fragility of fame and fortune.

In January 2023, Savannah took to Instagram, sharing a heartfelt post alongside a picture of her mother, Julie, who had been sentenced to prison. “Will forever fight for this smile ❤️,” Savannah wrote. “I love you mama.” Her love for her parents was palpable, despite the circumstances that had turned their world upside down. In a subsequent episode of Unlocked With Savannah Chrisley, a podcast she hosts, Savannah opened up further about the difficulty of saying goodbye to her parents as they began serving their sentences.

“Last week was extremely difficult for my family as a whole and each of us individually,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. “We kind of had to say goodbye to my parents for the foreseeable future, and that was really, really tough.” The struggles were palpable as Savannah grappled with the reality of her parents’ absence and the daunting responsibilities that now fell on her shoulders. The grief and pain of those moments are something she continues to work through as she moves forward in life.

Yet, despite these hardships, Savannah’s strength has become a source of inspiration for many. In August 2023, Savannah shared exciting news: the Chrisley family would return to television, albeit with a new format. As her parents continue to serve their sentences, Savannah, along with her siblings Grayson and Chase, as well as her niece Chloe and their grandmother “Nanny Faye,” will star in a new reality show. This new chapter offers a glimpse into their lives as they continue to navigate the aftermath of the legal scandal and their efforts to rebuild their family dynamic. “The time was right to share our story,” Savannah shared in a statement to Deadline. “We couldn’t have found better partners in Scout Productions.”

Though the Chrisley family faced a tough road ahead with the cancellation of Chrisley Knows Best and the fall from grace in the public eye, this new show offers hope for the future and a chance to rewrite their narrative.

Savannah Chrisley’s evolution from the reality TV star known for her glamorous lifestyle to a resilient, responsible figure is nothing short of remarkable. Her journey is a testament to the strength of family, the trials of personal growth, and the resilience of the human spirit when faced with adversity. The Chrisleys’ story is far from over, and with Savannah leading the way, their path forward will undoubtedly continue to captivate audiences, offering both a cautionary tale and a story of redemption.