It feels like a lifetime ago that we were all collectively obsessed with a woman in Pennsylvania and her very specific, very sharp blonde bob. You remember the one. The "can I speak to the manager" haircut that launched a thousand memes before memes were even a thing. Back in 2007, Jon & Kate Plus 8 wasn't just a reality show; it was a cultural phenomenon that made us all feel slightly better about our own chaotic lives. But the cameras eventually stopped rolling, the messy divorce played out in every supermarket tabloid, and the kids grew up.
So, honestly, where are Kate plus eight now in 2026?
The answer is complicated. It’s a mix of corporate success, nursing shifts, North Carolina lake life, and a family tree that has been pretty much chopped in half by years of litigation and silence. If you’re looking for a happy reunion photo, you’re going to be waiting a long time.
Kate Gosselin’s New Life in North Carolina
Kate isn't the same polarizing figure she was on TLC, mostly because she’s stepped back from the relentless pursuit of another reality show. After a brief and somewhat disastrous stint on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test—where she was the first to leave due to injury—she basically retreated.
She lives in North Carolina now. Specifically, she's near Lake Norman. She traded the massive 24-acre Pennsylvania estate (which sold for over $1 million a few years back) for a more modest, though still very nice, four-bedroom home.
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What’s she doing for money? She went back to her roots. Kate is officially a registered nurse again. In late 2025, she was quite vocal on TikTok about her "German Shepherd dog mom era," but she also confirmed she’s working as a pediatric home health care nurse. When fans asked why she was still working after all those years of TV checks, she was blunt: lawyers are expensive. Between providing for eight kids, funding their colleges, and the endless custody battles with Jon, the "reality TV wealth" isn't exactly what people think it is.
The Twins: Mady and Cara at 25
The "big girls" aren't little anymore. Mady and Cara turned 25 in October 2025, and they’ve taken very different paths in New York City.
Mady Gosselin is the one you’ll see on your social feeds. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2023 and has leaned into being a digital creator. She’s smart, articulate, and hasn't been afraid to call out the "trauma" of her childhood or defend her mom against her brother Collin’s allegations. She’s currently living the NYC life, working in media and content.
Cara Gosselin, on the other hand, is the family's "ghost." And I mean that in the most respectful way possible. She graduated from Fordham University with a degree in math and economics. She’s currently a financial analyst at Bank of America. No TikTok dances, no tell-all interviews. She’s just a corporate professional living in the city, proving that you can actually escape the reality TV orbit if you try hard enough.
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The Sextuplets: A Family Divided
This is where things get heavy. The sextuplets turned 21 in May 2025, which is a wild thought for anyone who remembers them in high chairs. But the group is split down the middle.
The "Kate" Camp: Alexis, Aaden, Leah, and Joel
These four remain very close to their mother.
- Alexis: She’s stayed true to her childhood dream of working with animals. She mostly stays off social media but lives in North Carolina, likely with or near Kate.
- Aaden: Also very private. He’s been spotted in Kate’s rare family photos, usually looking like the most "normal" 21-year-old guy you’d meet at a coffee shop.
- Leah: She’s the social one of this group. A massive Swiftie, Leah has shared glimpses of her college life on TikTok, showing off dorm tours and her baking hobby.
- Joel: He’s currently a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in accounting. He even worked a shift-lead type job at a local Chipotle to help make ends meet during school.
The "Jon" Camp: Hannah and Collin
The rift between these two and the rest of the siblings is deep. Hannah and Collin moved in with Jon back in 2018 and haven't looked back.
Hannah Gosselin is probably the most "successful" in terms of traditional branding. She launched Gosselin Girl Beauty, a vegan skincare line, and is currently studying business at the University of Miami. She’s the only real "bridge" left; she still talks to her siblings in North Carolina, even if she doesn't see them often.
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Collin Gosselin has had the hardest road. After being sent to a behavioral facility by Kate at age 12—an event he calls abusive and she calls necessary—he’s spent his adult years trying to find his footing. He tried the Marines but was discharged after his history at the facility came to light. By early 2026, he’s focused on two things: his new power-washing business in Pennsylvania and writing a memoir. He’s been open about the fact that he has zero relationship with six of his seven siblings. It’s a "forced alone" situation that he’s talked about extensively on TikTok.
Where Is Jon Gosselin?
Jon is still in Pennsylvania. He’s mostly known these days for his DJ gigs and his very public engagement to Stephanie Lebo in late 2024. He’s tried to use his upcoming wedding as a "peace pipe" to invite his estranged children, but by all accounts, the invitations haven't resulted in any tearful reunions. He remains a polarizing figure—some see him as the dad who finally stepped up, others see him as someone who gave up his parental rights to the other six years ago.
The Reality of the "Reality" Legacy
Looking at where Kate plus eight now stands in 2026, it’s a cautionary tale about fame. The family is essentially two separate units. On one side, you have Kate and the "six" in the South, living a relatively quiet, working-class-plus life. On the other, you have Jon, Hannah, and Collin in the North, still navigating the fallout of the past.
The kids are no longer characters in a show. They are adults with LinkedIn profiles, student loans, and complicated family group chats (or lack thereof).
If you're following the family's journey, the most actionable thing you can do is look toward the upcoming memoirs from Mady and Collin. They are likely to offer the two final, opposing perspectives on what really happened behind those closed doors in Wernersville. Until then, the best way to support the kids is to respect the privacy of the ones who chose to disappear from the spotlight—because, after a childhood spent in front of a lens, they've certainly earned it.
Next Steps for Followers:
- Check out Leah Gosselin’s TikTok for the most current, lighthearted updates on the North Carolina crew.
- Keep an eye on Hannah Gosselin's business ventures if you're interested in the entrepreneurial side of the family.
- Wait for the formal announcement of Collin's book release date, which is expected to be the most detailed account of the family rift to date.