Bobby Bones – Age, Career, Family Net Worth and More

Bobby Bones is an American radio and television personality, comedian, and country music artist who’s built a multimillion-dollar empire from humble Arkansas roots. Known for hosting the wildly popular syndicated radio show The Bobby Bones Show, he’s also a mentor on American Idol, a New York Times bestselling author, and the winner of Dancing with the Stars season 27.

Bobby Bones continues to expand his brand with podcasts, books, and TV specials, all while sharing his journey from poverty to prime time with humor and heart.

Bobby Bones Wiki/Bio

Full NameBobby William Estell
Date of BirthApril 2, 1980
Age45 years (as of 2025)
ProfessionRadio Host, TV Personality, Author, Comedian
HometownHot Springs, Arkansas, USA (raised in Mountain Pine)
Current ResidenceNashville, Tennessee, USA
ReligionChristian
NationalityAmerican
Zodiac SignAries
Instagram IDhttps://www.instagram.com/mrbobbybones/

Physical Details

Height6’1″ (185 cm)
WeightApprox. 75 kg
Eye ColorBlue
Hair ColorBrown

Bobby Bones Early Life

Bobby Bones was born Bobby William Estell on April 2, 1980, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to a 15-year-old mother, Pamela Hurt, and a 17-year-old father who left when he was five. Raised in poverty in the small town of Mountain Pine by his mom and grandmother Hazel Hurt, Bobby grew up on food stamps and hard work. By age five, he was already dreaming of becoming a radio DJ as an escape. His mother passed away in 2011 from cancer, a loss that shaped his work and advocacy. Those tough beginnings gave Bobby grit, humor, and empathy that shine through in his career today.

Bobby Bones Education

Bobby studied radio and television broadcasting at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. At 17, he began working at the campus radio station KSWH-FM “The Pulse,” gaining early experience that set the stage for his career. He graduated with a B.A. in Radio/Television in 2002, balancing classes with jobs at local stations.

Bobby Bones Family Details

Family remains central in Bobby’s life. He married Caitlin Parker on October 21, 2021, after meeting in 2019 during Dancing with the Stars. They welcomed their first child, Ford Douglas Parker Bones, on November 12, 2021. Bobby is also close to his sister Amanda and often honors his late mother Pamela in his projects and philanthropy.

Bobby Bones and Caitlin

Bobby Bones Career Highlights

Bobby Bones’ journey began at KLAZ in Hot Springs at 17 before moving into bigger markets. In 2003, he launched The Bobby Bones Show in Austin, which went national in 2012 with a country format. Today it reaches 150+ stations with more than 9 million weekly listeners. He has won four ACM Awards for National On-Air Personality and regularly hosts iHeartRadio events.

On TV, Bobby joined American Idol as a mentor in 2018 and also won Dancing with the Stars season 27 the same year. His books, Bare Bones (2016) and Fail Until You Don’t (2019), both became New York Times bestsellers. He also hosts Breaking Bobby Bones on Nat Geo (since 2021) and in 2025 debuted a new comedy special, Bobby Bones Presents: Comedically Inspirational.

Career Milestones

MilestoneDetails
Radio DebutStarted at KLAZ at age 17 (1997)
The Bobby Bones ShowLaunched in Austin (2003)
National SyndicationWent country and nationwide (2012)
Dancing with the StarsWinner of Season 27 (2018)
American IdolMentor since 2018
NYT BestsellersBare Bones (2016), Fail Until You Don’t (2019)

Bobby Bones Net Worth and Income

CategoryDetails
Estimated Net Worth$10–14 million
Annual Income$4–5 million
Income SourcesiHeartMedia salary, TV gigs, books, endorsements

Bobby Bones has built his fortune through radio syndication, TV appearances, bestselling books, and endorsement deals. His show alone draws millions weekly, making him one of country radio’s most successful hosts.

Bobby Bones Controversies

Bobby Bones has mostly kept a positive image. His 2018 Dancing with the Stars win drew criticism from some fans who claimed the results were unfair. In 2020, he faced backlash for a COVID-related joke on air but quickly apologized. Beyond those minor issues, he’s known for staying grounded and relatable.

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