Katie Lee Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Height, Daughter, Top Chef, Books, The Kitchen

Katherine “Katie” Lee is an American chef, cookbook author, food critic, and television personality who first captured viewers’ attention as the inaugural host of Bravo’s Top Chef in 2006.

With a degree in journalism and food science from Miami University and training at the Institute of Culinary Education, she has since built a multifaceted career—co-hosting Food Network’s The Kitchen, hosting Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites with Katie Lee, and publishing both cookbooks and a novel—bringing fresh, accessible recipes and lively culinary commentary to a broad audience.

Profile

• Full name: Katherine “Katie” Lee
• Nickname: Katie
• Date of birth: September 14, 1981
• Age: 44 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
• State of origin: West Virginia
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef; cookbook author; television food critic; novelist
• Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
• Weight: 121 lb (55 kg)
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Brown
• Parents: Kim Becker (mother) and Steve Lee (father)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Billy Joel (m. 2004–2009); Ryan Biegel (m. 2018)
• Children: Iris Marion Biegel (b. September 2, 2020)
• Relationship status: Married to Ryan Biegel
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: White
• Net worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Katherine Lee, now at the age of 44, was born on September 14, 1981, in Huntington, West Virginia, and raised in nearby Milton, where family meals and her grandmother’s cooking inspired her culinary passion.

Her parents are Kim Becker and Steve Lee.

She graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 2003 with a double major in journalism and food science, and spent a semester abroad at The British Institute in Florence, Italy, deepening her appreciation for European cuisine.

Personal Life

Katie Lee married musician Billy Joel in October 2004 after meeting him in New York City; they divorced in June 2009.

In September 2018, she wed television producer Ryan Biegel in Marina del Cantone on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

The couple welcomed their daughter, Iris Marion Biegel, on September 2, 2020.

Career

After graduating, Katie Lee worked in several New York restaurants and served as the house fishmonger at Jeff and Eddy’s.

In July 2005 she launched OliveAndPeach.com, and in 2006 hosted Bravo’s first season of Top Chef.

She joined Food Network as a regular contributor on The Early Show and became co-host of The Kitchen in 2014.

Lee has also hosted Beach Bites with Katie Lee on the Cooking Channel, appeared as a judge on Iron Chef America, Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and Halloween Baking Championship, and served as a food and lifestyle editor for Gotham magazine.

Awards

• Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host – The Kitchen
• James Beard Award nomination, Television Personality category

Net Worth

Katie Lee’s net worth is estimated at $10 million, accrued through her television hosting roles, cookbook sales, editorial work, and public appearances.

Social Media

• Instagram: @katiejoel
• Twitter/X: N/A

Filmography

• Top Chef (host)
• The Kitchen (co-host)
• Beach Bites with Katie Lee (host)
• Iron Chef America (judge)
• Chopped (judge)
• Beat Bobby Flay (guest judge)
• Halloween Baking Championship (judge)
• The Early Show (contributor)

Books

• The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions
• Groundswell (novel)
• Cooking with Katie Lee: Everyday Recipes with a Twist