Whitney Eileen Bates (née Perkins) (born September 21, 1993) is the biological only child of James Perkins and Lynn Perkins, as well as the adoptive daughter of Johnny Owens and Lydia Owens.
She has 10 adoptive siblings including: Philip Owens, Brandon Owens, Nakota Owens, Ella Owens, Sadie Owens, and Bella Owens.
She is the wife of Zachary Bates and the mother of their children Bradley, Kaci, Khloé, Jadon and Lily.
Early life[]
Whitney as a child
Whitney Eileen Perkins was born on September 21, 1993, in Tennessee, to James Perkins and Lynn Perkins. She was the couple's only child.
At the age of thirteen, Whitney was placed into foster care for unknown reasons. She was taken in by Johnny and Lydia Owens, the parents of her deceased friend, Laklee Owens. When Whitney was sixteen, the Owens were granted full custody of Whitney. Due to her age, she opted not to change her last name to Owens. The Owens family adopted a total of eleven children, including Whitney.
Whitney attended public school throughout her life and graduated high school early.
Personal life[]
Courting
Courtship[]
In 2012, Whitney met Zach Bates while she was working as a carhop at a local Sonic. The two spent several months becoming friends. On July 1, 2013, Zach asked Whitney to court. On July 17, 2013, they announced that they had entered a courtship. Although the two had planned on maintaining strong physical boundaries, as Zach had done in his previous courtship and was encouraged by Zach's parents, the couple did end up kissing before marriage.
Engaged
Engagement[]
On September 11, 2013, Zach showed up at Whitney's house with a surprise. He had coordinated with her parents to have an overnight bag ready, and had spoken with her school and work to get time off for her. The two, along with members of Zach's family, flew to Orlando, Florida. They took a boat ride in Clearwater, Florida, where they were followed by dolphins, before attending a local church.
On September 12, 2013, Zach's parents scoped out a private spot at Smyrna Dunes Park and set up arrangements as Zach had planned while he took Whitney to get her nails done. When the couple arrived, Zach proposed, and Whitney said yes.
Just married
Marriage[]
On December 14, 2013, Whitney married Zachary Gilvin Bates at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Lake City, Tennessee, with a reception at the Main Event in Clinton, Tennessee. Zach's brother Lawson wrote a song for the couple that was sang at the wedding. His groomsmen were his brothers Lawson, Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah and his friend John-David Duggar, and his sisters Alyssa, Josie, and Katie were among the bridesmaids.
For their honeymoon, Whitney and Zach went to Kauai, Hawaii.
Vow renewal
Vow renewal[]
On June 14, 2018, Whitney and Zach had a vow renewal ceremony at The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farms. This ceremony allowed Whitney's biological parents to attend after they weren't invited to her wedding.
Motherhood[]
Baby Bradley
On March 3, 2014, Zach's mother Kelly commented on a post about one of his campaign rallies saying that the couple were expecting their first child. Bradley Gilvin Bates was born at 10:12 p.m. on October 29, 2014 at Tennova Healthcare Physicians Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. He weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Zach and Whitney spoke enthusiastically about this birth:
"We can't even begin to explain how overjoyed, excited, and grateful we are to be parents! We just can't seem to take our eyes off of him. He has already brought so much joy into our lives, and he's enjoying being the center of attention in the Bates family. We are thankful to the Lord for this precious gift of life!"
Baby Kaci
On October 29, 2015, at Bradley's first birthday party, Whitney and Zach announced that they were expecting their second child. Kaci Lynn Bates was born at 10:32 p.m. on June 20, 2016. She weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces. The couple was just as excited about this birth:
"We were overcome with emotions that just cannot be described when we saw our little Kaci Lynn and held her in our arms for the first time. We have anticipated this moment for months, yet it exceeded all of our dreams. Looking in her sweet little eyes just took our breath away."
In December of 2017, the family announced that they had purchased their first home, and were beginning construction on a remodel.
Baby Khloé
On August 9, 2018, Whitney and Zach announced that they had suffered a miscarriage in June 2018.
On May 7, 2019, Whitney and Zach announced via People that they were expecting their third child, due November 10, 2019. On July 25, 2019, they announced that they were having a girl to be named Khloé Eileen. Khloé Eileen Bates was born at 3:48 p.m. on November 7, 2019. She weighed 7 pounds and 9 ounces.
Baby Jadon
On November 24, 2020, Whitney and Zach announced via People that they were expecting their fourth child, due June 2021. On January 27, 2021, they announced that they were having a boy to be named Jayden Carl. Jadon Carl Bates was born at 5:15 p.m. on June 7, 2021. He weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces. On June 9, 2021, he was admitted to the NICU with a collapsed lung and put on a ventilator. The ventilator was removed on June 13, 2021.
On February 11, 2023, Whitney and Zach announced that they are expecting their fifth child, due August 2023. On March 25, 2023, they revealed that they are expecting a girl. On June 4, 2023, they revealed that the due date is August 31, 2023. Whitney went into labor on August 15, 2023, at 38 weeks pregnant. Their daughter, Lily Jo, was born on August 15, 2023. She weighed 6 lbs, 12 oz. and measured 19.25 inches.
Health[]
Just after finding out that they were expecting Jadon, both Whitney and Zach were diagnosed with coronavirus. Zach contracted it at work and ultimately, Whitney tested positive as well.
Career[]
Education[]
Whitney attended Lincoln Memorial University, where she originally studied nursing. She received a degree in medical billing and coding and medical insurance.
Carhop[]
At some point as a teen, Whitney began working as a carhop at Sonic Drive-In. It was there that she met her husband Zach, who was one of her customers.
Television[]
Whitney is regularly featured on the UpTV show Bringing Up Bates, which chronicles the life of her husband Zach's family.
Social media[]
Whitney occasionally posts sponsored Instagram posts for the company FabFitFun, a lifestyle subscription box.
Realtor[]
Whitney began working as a realtor for Bailey & Company Real Estate in 2017.
Bates Sisters Boutique[]
On March 18, 2019, Whitney, along with her sisters-in-law Erin Paine and Carlin Stewart, announced that she was opening a clothing store called Bates Sisters Boutique. The online clothing store officially launched on April 19, 2019. Many of the items sold out within hours.
Wedding involvement[]
Whitney was a bridesmaid at her sister-in-law Tori's wedding to Bobby Smith on December 16, 2017.
She was a bridesmaid at her sister-in-law Josie's wedding to Kelton Balka on October 5, 2018.
She was a matron of honor at her sister-in-law Carlin's wedding to Evan Stewart on May 25, 2019.
She was a bridesmaid at her sister-in-law Katie's wedding to Travis Clark on December 3, 2021.
