Meet Ree Drummond’s Parents: William Dale Smith and Gerre Schwert Smith

Few media personalities shine as brightly as Ree Drummond, famously known as The Pioneer Woman.

Born Anne Marie “Ree” Smith on January 6, 1969, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, she grew up in a suburban home overlooking a country club golf course in the oil-rich town.

Now 56 years old, Ree’s early years reflected the values of her Episcopalian household—family, faith, and community.

Her parents, William Dale “Bill” Smith, an orthopedic surgeon, and Gerre Schwert Smith, created a stable middle-class upbringing. Though her ethnicity is rarely emphasized, Ree is of American descent and commonly described as Caucasian.

After over three decades of marriage, William and Gerre divorced in the late 1990s, with Gerre later remarrying Doug Schwert.

Ree grew up alongside three siblings: Michael “Mike” Smith (who sadly passed away in 2021), Doug Smith, and Betsy Lee Smith, forming a tight-knit family that shaped her outlook on life.

Ree graduated from Bartlesville High School in 1987 before heading to the University of Southern California. She began her studies in journalism but later switched to gerontology, earning her degree in 1991.

After college, she spent a short time in Los Angeles before returning to Oklahoma. At 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall, Ree carries a presence as striking as her storytelling.

Her love story is as memorable as her career. While home for the holidays in the mid-1990s, Ree met Ladd Drummond in a smoky Oklahoma bar. That chance encounter changed the course of her life, steering her away from law school in Chicago and toward ranch life.

They married on September 21, 1996, in an Episcopalian ceremony, and their bond remains strong today. Together, they’ve raised five children: Alex Drummond (1997), Paige Drummond (1999), Bryce Drummond (2002), Todd Drummond (2004), and foster son Jamar Drummond (welcomed in 2018).

The family lives on their sprawling cattle ranch near Pawhuska, Oklahoma, where Ree embraced country living after her city upbringing. It was this transition—marked by home cooking, ranch chores, and raising kids—that inspired her brand, The Pioneer Woman.

Through her recipes, relatable storytelling, and authentic charm, Ree turned her rural lifestyle into a global empire of cookbooks, TV shows, and merchandise.

Yet, behind her success stands the quiet influence of her parents. William Dale Smith and Gerre Schwert Smith may have mainly lived outside the spotlight, but their guidance, resilience, and dedication provided the foundation that helped Ree thrive.

From a childhood in suburban Oklahoma to life on a cattle ranch, their influence is woven into every chapter of her story—proof that the roots of The Pioneer Woman run deep in family values and small-town beginnings.

William Dale Smith

William Dale Smith, Ree‘s father, embodied the archetype of the respected community pillar.

As an orthopedic surgeon, Bill dedicated his career to healing and service in Bartlesville, earning admiration from patients and peers alike for his skill and compassion.

His professional life was marked by long hours in the operating room and a commitment to local healthcare, reflecting a man who valued hard work and quiet competence over fanfare.

Now retired, Bill has largely stepped back from public view, but his presence lingers in Ree‘s stories and social media glimpses—often captured in family gatherings where his steady demeanour shines through.

Bill‘s devotion extended deeply into fatherhood, particularly toward his son Mike, who faced lifelong health challenges stemming from complications at birth. Ree has publicly praised her father’s “boundless” love in the wake of Mike‘s death, noting how he and Gerre poured endless support into their son’s life.

This paternal legacy of resilience and care undoubtedly influenced Ree‘s own approach to family, as seen in her nurturing of five children (including foster son Jamar) alongside her husband, Ladd Drummond, on their sprawling Pawhuska ranch.

Bill remarried after his divorce, tying the knot with Patsy Drummond, and continues to reside in the Bartlesville area, close enough to cherish time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gerre Schwert Smith

If William was the steady surgeon, Gerre Schwert Smith was the emotional heartbeat of the family. A devoted mother, Gerre balanced homemaking with active involvement in her children’s lives and the community, particularly through St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Bartlesville.

Her warmth and faith provided a nurturing counterpoint to Bill‘s professional intensity, creating a home where creativity and connection flourished. Gerre‘s influence is evident in Ree‘s love for storytelling and hospitality—traits that turned a simple blog into a multimedia phenomenon.

Gerre‘s life took a poignant turn in the mid-1990s, just as Ree was embarking on her own marital journey. In October 1996—mere weeks after Ree wed Ladd—Gerre filed for divorce from Bill after 33 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

The split sent ripples through their tight-knit Oklahoma circle, especially given its timing and the involvement of the family’s pastor, Doug Schwert.

What began as a friendship evolved into romance, leading Gerre to leave the marriage and, after Doug‘s own divorce, to wed him in 1999. The union drew church backlash, prompting the couple to relocate from Oklahoma to Signal Mountain, Tennessee—a 12-hour drive from Ree‘s ranch.

Despite the upheaval, Gerre emerged resilient, embracing her new chapter while maintaining strong ties to her children and extended family. She has made guest appearances on shows like Good Morning America, Today, and The View, often alongside Ree, showcasing her easy rapport and pride in her daughter’s success.

Now in her later years, Gerre delights in grandmotherly duties, doting on Ree’s kids—Alex, Paige, Bryce, Todd, and Jamar—and her first great-grandchild, Sofia Scott.

Ree‘s Instagram is dotted with tender moments of mother-daughter bonding, from holiday feasts to quiet drives, underscoring Gerre‘s enduring role as a source of joy and stability.