Jillian Michaels - Biography

Who is Jillian Michaels?

Jillian Michaels is a personal trainer, author, businesswoman, TV personality by profession, and American by nationality. She is well known for appearances in The Biggest Loser, The Doctors, Just Jillian, and BODYSHRED.

Jillian Michaels – Age, Parents, Siblings

Jillian Michaels’ birth took place on February 18, 1974, in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was born Jillian Leigh McKarus to her mother JoAnn McKarus and her father Douglas McKarus, a lawyer. She is not the only child of her parents and has a sibling, a younger sister Lauren Michaels.

Education, Ethnicity

After completing high school Jillian Michaels went on to attend California State University.

Her ethnicity is multi-ethnic (Syrian, Lebanese, Italian, Ashkenazi Jewish). 

Jillian Michaels – Girlfriend, Wife, Children, Divorce

Jillian Michaels’ sexuality is bisexual. 

She was in a relationship with a woman named Heidi Rhoades since 2009. She and her girlfriend have two children together- Lukensia Michaels Rhoades, whom she adopted from Haiti in May 2012 when Lukensia was 2 years old and son Phoenix Michaels Rhoades, given birth by Heidi in May 2012.

The couple was even engaged to be married but broke off their relationship in 2018. Currently, she is in a relationship with Anna Marie Desh, and seems to be happy together. 

Michaels went on to date DeShanna Marie Minuto and married her in July 2022. For her and her wife, there are no rumors of divorce.

Jillian Michaels, DeShanna Marie Minuto (Image: Instagram)

Jillian Michaels – Career

Early Career

While a student at California State University, Jillian Michaels supported herself as a bartender as well as a personal trainer. Soon after she held the position of an agent with International Creative Management. And in 2002, she opened a sports medicine facility Sky Sport & Spa in Beverly Hills.

Fitness

In January 2012, Michaels released a 90-day weight loss program Body Revolution. Over the years she has launched BODYSHRED, her 30-minute workout class and in 2015 launched a new infomercial BODYSHRED, a 60-day at-home workout program. 

Jillian Michaels and Giancarlo Chersich, who is also her manager and a business partner operate Empowered Media, LLC, since 2008. Moreover, she owns an award-winning fitness app titled Jillian Michaels My Fitness app.

Media

From 2006 to 2009, Michaels hosted a Sunday talk radio show on Los Angeles's KFI. She has also hosted a weekly podcast, The Jillian Michaels Show and in October 2008 launched the video game Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009. 

She was an original trainer on the reality series The Biggest Loser and its spin-off Losing It With Jillian. Jillian Michaels briefly worked with CBS’s show The Doctors and has been serving as a special correspondent on Dr. Phil.

Jillian Michaels is known for her aggressive training (Image: Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED)

Jillian Michaels – Controversy

In January 2020 appearance on BuzzFeed News' AM to DM,  Michaels commented on singer Lizzo’s weight,

“Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her music? 'Cause it isn't gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes."

She was immediately criticized and accused of fat-shaming.

Jillian Michaels – Net worth, Salary

The net worth of Jillian Michaels has been estimated at around $18 million while the estimate on her annual salary has not been shared with the public.

Jillian Michaels – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

On social media handles including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, Jillian Michaels is active with over a million followers and counting.