Chip and Joanna Gaines
Chip and Joanna Gaines are ending “Fixer Upper” to focus on their marriage and family. Pictured: The celebrity couple posing with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA Texas 500 pace car at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on Nov. 5, 2017. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Chip and Joanna Gaines have opened up about their decision to end “Fixer Upper” after its fifth season. The couple admitted that while they are having qualms, they are more than eager to focus on their family first.

The HGTV stars recently sat down with Success magazine for the publication’s January 2018 issue, and they right away addressed the elephant in the room. In September, the couple shocked HGTV viewers when they announced that they are ending “Fixer Upper” after the show’s fifth installment.

Speaking of how they really feel about concluding their renovation and real estate series, 43-year-old Chip said, “The idea of leaving the show at the height of its popularity is probably pretty risky, almost irrational-sounding.” However, he admitted that while he and his 39-year-old wife Joanna really love doing the series, they opted to prioritize their family first.

“Our oldest [child], who’s 12, is becoming a teenager, and Jo and I just realized in our hearts that as much as we love ‘Fixer Upper,’ as much as we love the honor that we have felt with this show basically introducing us to the country, if not the world, we want to make sure that we’re here for our family during really crucial, pivotal points in its journey.”

Chip also admitted that they are taking some time off to also focus on their marriage. “Obviously Jo and I as a couple we just don’t want to redline. You know, we don’t want to run so hard after some dream or some goal only to find out that we’ve neglected the thing that means the very most to us, which is our marriage and our relationship.”

Chip and Joanna tied the knot in 2003, and they have since been blessed with four kids: Drake, 12, Ella 11, Duke, 9, and Emmie Kay, 7, as per People. The couple admitted that throughout their marriage they have had ups and downs, but they are still thankful for everything that comes their way. Chip said that the secret to their lasting relationship is “hard work.” “Jo and I have struggles and fighting and arguments just like anybody else. This isn’t like we got lucky and hit the lottery and the two perfect people fell in love.”

Joanna reiterated that their family comes first as they move forward following the end of “Fixer Upper” when she said, “We’ve always been on the same page when it comes to the things that matter most: our family and our values and how we want to raise our children.”

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