If you watched Season 29 of The Bachelor, you probably remember Litia Garr. She wasn't just another face in the mansion. She stood out—partly because of her career as a venture capitalist and her "lightning-fast" swimming, but mostly because of her radical honesty. But when things got real during the hometown dates, we started seeing the actual roots of her personality. It all comes back to her family.
Honestly, the story of Litia Garr parents is one of those that hits you right in the gut. It’s not just a "fun fact" for a bio; it’s the definitive reason she carries herself with so much caution and conviction.
What Really Happened to Litia Garr’s Father?
Litia’s life was reshaped before she could even form a permanent memory. During episode three of her season, she sat down with Grant Ellis and dropped a bombshell that left a lot of viewers silent. Her biological father, who was from Fiji, passed away in a tragic car accident when Litia was just three months old.
Think about that for a second. Three months.
Her mother, Mari (sometimes referred to as Maurie in some circles), was only 23 years old at the time. She was a young mother in Idaho, suddenly widowed, holding a tiny baby and facing a future that looked nothing like she had planned. Litia has called her mom her "greatest example of strength and resilience," and it's easy to see why. Most people would crumble. Instead, Mari leaned into her faith and her community.
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A Love Story That Started in Hawaii
Litia’s parents didn’t meet in Utah or Idaho. They actually met while attending college in Hawaii. Her dad was Fijian, and her mom is white, originally from Idaho. They fell in love, got married, and had Litia.
After the accident, the trajectory of their lives shifted back to the mainland. Eventually, the family settled in Salt Lake City, Utah. This move was pivotal because it’s where Litia’s identity as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) really solidified.
The Step-Dad and the "Conservative" Household
When Grant Ellis headed to Wyoming for hometowns, he didn't just meet a grieving widow. He met a full, vibrant, and very protective family.
Mari eventually remarried a man named Rob. While Rob is Litia’s step-father, he has been a consistent paternal figure in her life, alongside her two brothers, Ethan and Jackson. During the show, some fans on Reddit and social media were confused by the family dynamics, with some even speculating if Litia was adopted because she didn't "look like" her parents.
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Litia shut that down pretty quickly. She is the biological daughter of her Fijian father and her white mother—a beautiful mix that reflects her unique upbringing.
The family is incredibly tight-knit. They are devoutly Mormon, which was a major sticking point during her time on The Bachelor. If you’re wondering why Litia was so firm about not sleeping with Grant in the fantasy suites, it wasn't just a "show" thing. It was a "how I was raised" thing. She even told her mom during the hometown visit: “It would hurt my feelings if he slept with other girls. I'm not going to sleep with him.”
The Role of Religion in the Garr Family
You can't talk about Litia Garr parents without talking about the Church. It’s the air they breathe.
Litia admitted that she typically only dates men within her faith. When she brought Grant home—a Christian man with tattoos who occasionally drinks—it was a culture shock for everyone involved. Her family isn't just "Sunday morning" religious; they are "every day, core-values" religious.
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- The Grandpa Factor: We have to mention Litia’s grandfather. Viewers absolutely lost it over him during the hometown episode. He was widely called the "sweetest grandparent" in the history of the franchise.
- Support System: Litia frequently credits her aunts, uncles, and grandparents for stepping in after her father died. She’s often said she feels "really lucky" to have had that village.
Why Does This Matter for Litia's Future?
The reason Litia became a fan favorite—and why many are calling for her to be the next Bachelorette—is that she feels solid. She isn't looking for a "reality TV" relationship; she’s looking for a marriage that mirrors the strength she saw in her mother.
She told Grant that she wants her kids to grow up in a house where they know God loves them and their parents love them. That’s a direct reflection of the security her mom and Rob provided for her after a period of immense instability.
What You Can Learn from the Garr Family Dynamic
The story of the Garrs is a masterclass in how to handle "the switch-up" of life.
- Resilience is Taught: Litia learned how to be "vibrant and empathetic" by watching her mother navigate widowhood at 23.
- Boundaries are Okay: Despite the pressure of a national TV show, Litia stuck to the values her parents instilled in her. She didn't compromise on her "no fantasy suite" rule, which earned her a massive amount of respect from the audience.
- Faith as a Foundation: Whether you agree with her religion or not, it’s clear that having a set of core beliefs helped her stay grounded while cameras were shoved in her face.
Litia may not have ended up with Grant (who ultimately chose Juliana), but she came out of the experience with her dignity intact. She’s currently back in Salt Lake City, still working in venture capital, and reportedly staying open to finding a partner who fits into the big, loud, religious, and loving world her parents built for her.
If you’re following Litia's journey, keep an eye on her social media. She’s been leaning heavily into her "support system" lately, proving that no matter what happens on a dating show, her family is the one thing that isn't going anywhere.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you're interested in the intersection of modern dating and traditional values, look into Litia's recent podcast appearances on Bachelor Happy Hour. She goes into much more detail about how her upbringing influences her "investor mindset" when it comes to love.