Kate Gosselin has returned to her former career as a nurse after what she called a “sickening” financial downfall.
The 49-year-old former reality TV star revealed on TikTok that years of costly court battles and the expense of raising eight children alone depleted her savings, leaving her working 12-hour shifts in home health care to provide for her family.
Kate’s comments came amidst ongoing drama in her family, with son Collin alleging that he experienced ab*se growing up.
Kate stated that years on reality TV did not bring lasting financial security
Image credits: Michael Loccisano/Getty
Gosselin rose to fame in 2007 with Jon & Kate Plus 8, a TLC series chronicling life with her then-husband, Jon Gosselin, and their twins and sextuplets.
The show ended in 2009 after their divorce, but was rebooted as Kate Plus 8 from 2015 to 2017, according to Page Six.
Image credits: kateplusmy8
While many assumed years in the spotlight brought financial comfort, Gosselin said reality TV earnings were less substantial than viewers believed.
“Reality TV doesn’t pay as well as it should when you have to provide for eight kids on your own,” she explained on TikTok.
Her most recent television appearance was in 2023 on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, which she left in the first episode due to an injury.
Image credits: kate.gosselin
Before that, she briefly hosted Kate Plus Date in 2019. Gosselin has since shifted her focus to social media.
She could mostly be seen posting TikTok videos about preparing for her nursing shifts and occasionally featuring her children, such as her daughter, Alexis.
Legal battles over child support and other issues drained her savings and altered her future plans
Image credits: kate.gosselin
When asked why she returned to such demanding work, Gosselin told her TikTok followers that providing for her children’s futures, as well as paying exorbitant legal fees, consumed much of her resources.
“Honestly? Providing for eight kids,” Kate responded. “College funds, which I am proud to say covered all of their college and more, and LAWYERS.”
“Sickening, but I was (dragged) into court constantly, and that costs A TON.”
@kate.gosselin Kitchen Talk and Tips #kateplus8 #KitchenTalk ♬ original sound – kate.gosselin
Kate noted that she is frustrated that the money she spent on lawyers could have bolstered her children’s savings or her own retirement plans.
“Sad bc my kids could have a lot more saved, and I could have a retirement saved if it weren’t for lawyers,” Kate said, adding that she does like working as a nurse.
“It’s okay. I’m helping other families, and I feel needed, and I enjoy helping.”
Image credits: www.facebook.com
Many of her social media followers responded with supportive messages, with some apologizing for having once believed she was the “villain” of her reality TV years.
“I love this, Kate. As we’ve all grown older, we now recognize how misunderstood you truly were. We hear you now,” one commenter stated.
Image credits: www.facebook.com
“Looking back now, I can see how you were portrayed as the villain and you weren’t. I apologize for ever thinking that,” wrote another.
Kate’s ongoing rift with her son Collin has added to public scrutiny
Image credits: kateplusmy8
Beyond finances, Gosselin has faced publicized family tensions. She and Jon share twins Cara and Mady, now 24, and sextuplets Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah, and Joel, who are now 21.
She has had no contact with Collin or Hannah since Jon gained custody of them in 2016.
The estrangement resurfaced recently when a TikTok user referenced Collin’s claim that his siblings were “forced apart” by their mother.
Image credits: TLC
Kate replied, “He knows why,” disputing his version of events.
She has also described Collin as “troubled” and “violent,” citing those issues as the reason she placed him in an institution in 2016.
Collin, however, has shared a starkly different account, alleging that he experienced ab*se during his growing years.
Image credits: Dr. Billy Ingram/Getty
He claimed that he was confined in a locked basement room with cameras and, at times, physically restrained.
In September 2024, Collin claimed that he had been locked in a room with a tiny window that was bolt-locked from the outside, according to The Sun.
Kate has denied his allegations, though her ex-husband has been supportive of Collin’s version of events.
Image credits: kateplusmy8
Despite the strained relationship, Collin recently stated that he will “always love (his siblings) more than anything,” even if they sided with Kate.
“The tears I shed behind closed doors, thinking about the memories we could’ve shared. I love you guys,” Collin said.
Netizens shared their thoughts on Kate’s financial situation on social media
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