Kenneth Nathaniel "Nathan" Bates (born August 29, 1993) is the fifth child and third son of Gil Bates and Kelly Bates.
He is the brother of Zachary Bates, Michaela Keilen, Erin Paine, Lawson Bates, Alyssa Webster, Tori Smith, Trace Bates, Carlin Stewart, Josie Balka, Katie Clark, Jackson Bates, Warden Bates, Isaiah Bates, Addallee Bates, Ellie Bates, Callie-Anna Bates, Judson Bates, and Jeb Bates.
He is the husband of Esther Bates and the father of their children, Kenna and Graham.
Early life[]
Nathan as a child
Kenneth Nathaniel "Nathan" Bates was born on August 29, 1993, in Tennessee, to Gil Bates and Kelly Bates. He was the couple's fifth child, and they went on to have fourteen more children after him.
Along with his siblings, Nathan was homeschooled growing up. He and his siblings were raised as active participants of Bill Gothard's Institute in Basic Life Principles, and regularly attended the yearly Advanced Training Institute conferences in Big Sandy, Texas.
As an adult, Nathan is said to enjoy water sports, but it is unknown if this hobby began during his childhood.
Personal life[]
Courtship with Ashley[]
On March 31, 2016, an episode of Bringing Up Bates revealed that Nathan was courting Ashley Salyer. After asking Ashley's father for permission, Nathan began planning how to ask Ashley to be his girlfriend. They had already been talking and hanging out for six months prior to the episode's filming. The next episode, which aired on April 7, 2016, featured Nathan and his brother Lawson taking in the sights of New York City with Ashley and her sister Anastasia before Nathan asked her to begin courting.
On June 16, 2016, an episode of Bringing Up Bates showed Nathan and Ashley talking through struggles they were having. "You know, I don't want Ashley to change," Nathan said to his parents. "I love her and who she is, but at the same time, we do have concerns. We have, sometimes, a lot of conflict, and neither one of us are really, you know, sure that God wants us to get married."
On June 30, 2016, Nathan revealed on Bringing Up Bates that he had ended his courtship with Ashley.
Relationship with Esther[]
On October 14, 2020, Nathan started a relationship with Esther Keyes. On January 2, 2021, Esther posted a picture of her and Nathan together with the caption "Date Night". In the picture, she tagged Nathan, who posted a similar picture the following day from the same event.
Engaged
Engagement[]
On May 22, 2021, Nathan got engaged to Esther Keyes, along Lake Conway in Orlando, Florida, after a three-day celebration of their relationship that spanned three different cities in Cherry Ridge, Pennsylvania, Rocky Top, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida.
Just married
Marriage[]
On October 22, 2021, Nathan married Esther Joy Keyes at The Star Barn in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The wedding had around 350 guests. The couple shared their first kiss at the altar. The wedding was officiated by Dean Miller. Nathan's best man was his father Gil. His groomsmen were his brothers Lawson and Trace and his friends John-David Duggar, Elias Gollapalli, and Andrew Patton. The ring bearers were Nathan's nephews Bradley, Carson, and Kade and Esther's nephews Gabriel Keyes and Joseph Kanagy. Esther's maid of honor was her sister Elizabeth. Her bridesmaids were her sister Emily, her sisters-in-law Madison Keyes and Gracie Keyes, her cousin Amber Zwolinski, and her friend Tiffany Espensen. The flower girls were Esther's nieces Oaklyn Keyes and Jewel Kanagy and Nathan's nieces Kaci, Brooklyn, and Lexi. The ushers were Nathan's brothers Zach and Jackson and Esther's brother Andrew. The pianists were Nathan's sister Erin and Esther's brothers Eric and Matthew. The violinist was Nathan's sister Tori. Nathan's brother Lawson wrote a song for the wedding. Esther and Nathan sang a song together at the wedding. Nathan and his groomsmen sky-dived into the ceremony, while Esther arrived in a horse drawn carriage.
For their honeymoon, Nathan and Esther went to Gatorland in Orlando, Florida and the Bahamas.
Baby Kenna
Fatherhood[]
On May 8, 2022, Nathan and Esther announced via Instagram that they were expecting their first child, due October 2022. On June 19, 2022, they revealed that they were expecting a girl and that they were naming her Kenna Joy Bates. Kenna Joy was born at 3:57 p.m. on October 17, 2022, at Willow Creek Women's Hospital in Johnson, Arkansas. She weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce, and was 19 inches long.
Baby Graham
On March 21, 2024, Nathan and Esther announced via Instagram that they are expecting their second child, due in October 2024. On June 1, 2024, they announced that they are having a boy. Their son, Graham Alan was born on October 4, 2024, weighing 6lbs 15oz and measuring 20.5 inches.
Career[]
From a young age, Nathan wanted to be a preacher.
Excavating[]
Nathan sometimes works for his father Gil's tree excavating company, Bates Tree Service in Rocky Top, Tennessee. He works alongside his brothers Zach, Lawson, Trace, Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah.
First responder[]
Some time prior to 2013, Nathan completed first responder training and began working as a volunteer fireman for the Medford Fire Department.
He was an EMR, as well as a Reserved Deputy Sheriff with the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.
Pilot[]
Some time prior to April 2017, Nathan earned his private pilot's license. He is currently working on earning his commercial license.
Missionary work[]
Nathan is often said to have a heart for missions, and has gone on a number of mission trips.
In 2011, Nathan and three of his siblings went on a ten day mission trip to Guatemala, where he did manual labor to help a local orphanage.
In 2014, after hearing about a massive storm in the Philippines, Nathan began talking to a friend whose father, Pastor Tan, served there. Pastor Tan put Nathan in touch with Blessing International, and Nathan, along with his brother Lawson and friend John-David Duggar, traveled to the Philippines to provide medical assistance to victims of the storm.
Disaster relief[]
Nathan volunteers for MEDIC Corps, helping people around the world hit by natural disasters. He works alongside some of his brothers and some of the Duggar siblings.
Television[]
Nathan appeared on the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting many times as a teenager and young adult.
In 2012, TLC aired one season of the show United Bates of America, which focused on Nathan's family.
In 2015, UpTV began airing a similar show, Bringing Up Bates. Nathan was regularly featured on both shows.
Wedding involvement[]
Nathan was an usher at his brother Zach's wedding to Whitney Perkins on December 14, 2013.
He was a groomsman at his sister Alyssa's wedding to John Webster on May 24, 2014.
He was a groomsman at his sister Tori's wedding to Bobby Smith on December 16, 2017.
He was a groomsman at his sister Carlin's wedding to Evan Stewart on May 25, 2019.
He was the best man at his brother Lawson's wedding to Tiffany Espensen on May 12, 2022.
