Who is Hilary Farr? Meet the genius behind Love It or List It
Hilary Farr is a British-Canadian interior designer, businesswoman, television host, and former actress. She is best known as the former co-host of Love It or List It, a popular HGTV and W Network home design TV show where she featured in 19 seasons.
I believe in spending money to make your home the perfect sanctuary away from work and the stress of everyday life.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Hilary has been married once to Gordon Farr, with whom she shares a son, Joshua Farr.
- Love It or List It premiered in 2008, and Farr starred for 19 seasons.
- She was a judge on W Network's Search for the Next W Expert 2010.
Hilary Farr's profile summary
| Full name | Hilary Elizabeth Farr |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | August 31, 1951 |
| Age | 73 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Current residence | Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Nationality | British-Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches |
| Weight | 58 kg (approx) |
| Relationship status | Divorced |
| Ex-husband | Gordon Farr |
| Children | Joshua Farr |
| Education | Royal Ballet School |
| Profession | Designer, businesswoman, TV host, former actress |
| Net worth | $8 million |
| Social media | InstagramFacebook |
Exploring Hilary Farr's age and early life
Hilary, 73 years old as of 2025, was born Hilary Elizabeth Labow in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on August 31, 1951. She was raised in London, England.
Hilary studied ballet at the Royal Ballet School and aspired to be a ballerina. She later developed an interest in theatre and interior design.
Source: Original
How many times was Hilary Farr married?
Hilary was married once to Gordon Farr. Her ex-husband is a renowned Canadian TV producer and writer best known for The Love Boat. The duo exchanged their vows in 1982 but divorced in 2008.
During their time together, the celebrity couple welcomed a son, Joshua Farr, born in March 1983. Hilary Farr's son is a father to three kids.
In a 2020 Father's Day Instagram post, Hilary praised her son. She captioned,
This child of mine amazes me. He has never lost the little boy within and is filled with wonder, joy, fun, endless love, and respect for his children and his beautiful wife. I’m so proud of him.
What does Hilary Farr do for a living?
Hilary has had multiple careers revolving around interior design and television. Below is a breakdown of some of her career ventures:
Home design and renovation
Farr debuted her designing career in Los Angeles, where she purchased and renovated homes while working as an actress and television set designer. In a March 2015 interview with Baltimore Media Blog, Hilary talked about how her interior design career came to be. She said,
It happened by chance. I had moved a few times. Everyone loved my house in Los Angeles, so I decided to turn into a business.
Source: Instagram
Television host career
In 2008, Farr joined W Network as a designer and co-host of the HGTV hit show Love It or List It. The show featured her renovating homes, and she starred for 19 seasons from 2008 to 2023. In 2021, she starred in Tough Love with Hilary Farr, but the series lasted only one season.
Acting career
Hilary has also forged a career as an actress. Farr debuted her film career in 1972 when she featured in Layout for 5 Models. She has since featured in over 17 movies and TV shows.
Entrepreneurship
Farr is the president of Hilary Farr Designs. She is also a co-founder of Rules of Renovation, a seminar series for aspiring real estate investors.
Why is Hilary Farr quitting Love It or List It?
Hilary Farr quit the home design TV show to pursue new challenges. In an interview with People magazine, Hilary discussed her decision to leave. She said,
I've given it so many years of my life. It's got me through hard times. It's got the audiences through hard times. It has evolved into a mainstay of people's lives and it's been incredibly gratifying. But now it's time for me to move on and meet new challenges.
Source: Instagram
What is Hilary Farr's net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hilary Farr has a net worth estimated at $8 million. Her wealth primarily stems from her multifaceted career as a designer, businesswoman, television host, and actress.
Does Hilary Farr have a home in North Carolina?
Hilary has a home in Raleigh, North Carolina, which she built from the ground up after demolishing a bungalow. She had planned to renovate the house, but later discovered it was termite-ridden and waterlogged. Talking about the home construction decision, she revealed,
I was elated with the idea of transforming a little cottage — and devastated to learn it couldn’t be saved. I had my own blank slate, so I indulged myself with all the ideas I’d been saving,
Source: Facebook
Does Hilary Farr have cancer?
Hilary Farr was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 while filming Love It or List It. She has been open about her experience and is now in remission. She once stated,
Fear of breast cancer stops a lot of women from getting checked. But as terrifying as it is, you face it. Thinking that you should keep it a secret or just power through doesn't help and it doesn't heal. If I can change that for one person, then that's enough.
Are Hilary and David friends in real life?
Farr and David Visentin are real-life friends, despite their on-screen rivalry. Talking about their friendship in an interview with TV Insider, Visentin revealed,
You can’t work with somebody for that long and not appreciate them as a human being and have love for them. I appreciate everything she gave to this show since 2008. I mean, it got to be where it is because of her.
Source: Instagram
Trivia
- Hilary is an active advocate for wildlife conservation, and she worked with a volunteer organisation that protects orphaned elephants in Nairobi in 2017.
- She enjoys spending time in nature and values outdoor activities.
Summary
Hilary Farr continues to redefine home design with passion and authenticity. Her legacy on TV and beyond leaves a lasting impact on fans and designers. She embraces new adventures while her legacy shines brighter in the multiple homes she has helped renovate.
READ MORE: Is Hilary Farr still married to Gordon Farr?
Briefly.co.za shared another article about Hilary Farr. Besides her illustrious career, she was married to Gordon Farr.
Gordon Farr is a famous TV producer and screenwriter, well known for The Bob Newhart Show. She married the filmmaker in 1982, and they welcomed a son a year later.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
