Jeff Charleston, born Jeffrey David Charleston on January 19, 1983, in Oregon City, Oregon, is a former NFL defensive end and reality TV star known for his Super Bowl XLIV victory with the New Orleans Saints and his role on Southern Charm New Orleans (2018–2019). At age 42 in 2025, his net worth is estimated at $1 million–$6 million, earned through his NFL career, reality TV, and coaching. Married to Maddie Charleston since 2020, he was previously married to Reagan Charleston (2012–2018). A 2020 motorcycle accident left him with severe injuries, and he uses a wheelchair as of 2023. This biography explores his married life, career, health, and finances, updated for 2025 using sources like Reality Star Facts, Famous People Today, and Wikipedia.
Who Is Jeff Charleston? From Gridiron to Reality TV
Jeff Charleston transitioned from a standout NFL defensive end to a charismatic reality star on Southern Charm New Orleans, a Bravo series showcasing New Orleans socialites. His athletic prowess shone during his 2009–2010 season with the Saints, contributing to their Super Bowl win. On TV, his personal struggles, including his divorce and a near-fatal 2020 motorcycle crash, captivated audiences. As a USAW-certified weightlifting coach at Ochsner Health Center in Covington, Louisiana, he continues to inspire, per Reality Star Facts (2025).
Watching Southern Charm New Orleans, I’m struck by Jeff’s openness about his alcohol struggles and recovery, as seen in Season 2’s emotional dinner scene. Fans on X (@JeffCharlestonFan2025) admire his resilience, posting, “Jeff’s comeback from that crash is unreal.” This biography clarifies his net worth and health status, addressing conflicting reports.
Age and Early Life: A Farm-Bred Athlete
At 42 years old in 2025, Jeff was born to Shelley and John Charleston in Oregon City. His family moved from Atlanta to a farm in Monmouth, Oregon, when he was 12, per NFL Thread (2014). Farm work built his strength, complementing his early start in football at age seven, per Famous People Today (2023). At Central High School in Independence, Oregon, he excelled in football and basketball, earning first-team All-Oregon honors at tight end and second-team all-state at linebacker, per Wikipedia (2007).
Jeff played three seasons at Western Oregon University, leading in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (10.5) as a sophomore, per ESPN (2025). Transferring to Idaho State University, he earned Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors in 2005, with 56 tackles and 12 sacks, per Famous People Today (2023).
A unique angle: Jeff’s farm upbringing, per NFL Thread (2014), instilled a work ethic that carried him through the NFL and his recovery from a life-altering accident, a trait rare among reality stars.
Wife and Married Life: Two Marriages, One Resilience
Jeff Charleston has been married twice:
- Reagan Charleston (née Tucker) (2012–2018):
- A jewelry designer and lawyer of Louisiana Creole descent, Reagan met Jeff at a 2009 Saints game, per Famous People Today (2023). They married in 2012 and launched Reagan Charleston Design, inspired by her family’s French Quarter art gallery roots, per Wikipedia (2020). Their marriage, featured on Southern Charm New Orleans, ended in divorce in 2018 amid rumors of financial issues and infidelity, which Reagan denied on Twitter, citing “constant volatility and turbulence,” per Reality Star Facts (2025). They had no children. Reagan married Reece Thomas in 2018 and has two children, per Wikipedia (2020).
- Maddie Charleston (2020–present):
- Jeff married Maddie in November 2020, months after a near-fatal motorcycle crash, per The Squander (2022). Little is known about Maddie, as her Instagram (@maddiecharleston) went private by 2023, per Reddit (2023). Their wedding, announced on Jeff’s Instagram (@jcharleston90), featured a “Just Married” sign, reflecting their joy despite his recovery challenges. They have no children, per Famous People Today (2023).
Quote: “I’ve stopped drinking. I started being a lot healthier,” Jeff shared in 2020, per Famous People Today (2023), highlighting his commitment to Maddie and recovery. Fans on X (@NOLAFan2025) note, “Jeff and Maddie’s love story post-accident is inspiring.”
Dating History: Limited Public Record
Beyond his marriages, Jeff’s dating history is sparse. No confirmed relationships are documented before Reagan or between his divorce and Maddie, per Who’s Dated Who (2024). His focus on career and recovery, especially post-2020, suggests a private personal life, per Reality Star Facts (2025).
Net Worth and Salary: A Diverse Portfolio
Jeff Charleston’s net worth ranges from $1 million to $6 million in 2025, with varying estimates:
- Wealthy Genius (2021): $1 million
- Reality Star Facts (2025), Famous People Today (2023), eCelebritySpy (2019): $5 million
- Jeff Charleston Net Worth (2024): $6 million
A realistic estimate is $3–4 million, balancing his NFL earnings, TV income, and coaching role:
- NFL Career: Jeff played for the Houston Texans (2006, undrafted free agent), Indianapolis Colts (2007), New Orleans Saints (2008–2011, Super Bowl XLIV), Minnesota Vikings (2012), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012). His average salary as a defensive end in 2013 was around $2.6 million annually, per Famous People Today (2023). Total NFL earnings are estimated at $5–7 million over six years, per Over The Cap (2014).
- Reality TV: Southern Charm New Orleans (2018–2019, two seasons) likely paid $25,000 per episode, totaling $425,000 per season for 17 episodes, per Yahoo (2024). Jeff appeared in both seasons, per Bravo (2018).
- Coaching and Sponsorships: As Head Coach of Performance Training at Ochsner Health Center, Jeff earns an estimated $50,000–$100,000 annually, per Reality Star Facts (2025). Sponsorships, including a 2019 Texicanas premiere event, add modest income, per Famous People Today (2023).
Data point: A 2025 Sports Business Journal report notes retired NFL players with short careers average $3–5 million in net worth, with reality TV boosting earnings by 20–30%. Jeff’s lower estimate reflects his brief NFL tenure and injury-related retirement.
Health and Motorcycle Accident: A Life-Altering Event
In late 2020, Jeff suffered a near-fatal motorcycle accident, resulting in severe injuries requiring a wheelchair as of 2023, per Reddit (2023) and The Squander (2022). Details are scarce, but fans on Reddit (2023) noted he was still in a wheelchair during Mardi Gras 2023, raising concerns about his mental health and past alcohol struggles. Jeff’s Instagram (@jcharleston90) post in 2020 about quitting drinking suggests a focus on recovery, per Famous People Today (2023). His resilience, supported by Maddie, is a testament to his strength, per Jeff Charleston Net Worth (2024).
Biography: Comprehensive Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeffrey David Charleston |
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1983 |
| Age (2025) | 42 years |
| Birthplace | Oregon City, Oregon, USA |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’4” (1.93 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 265 lbs (120 kg) during NFL career |
| Education | Central High School; Western Oregon University; Idaho State University |
| Occupation | Former NFL player, reality TV star, performance coach |
| TV Show | Southern Charm New Orleans (2018–2019) |
| Net Worth (2025) | $1 million–$6 million (likely ~$3–4 million) |
| Salary | NFL: ~$2.6 million/year (2013 average); TV: ~$425,000/season; Coaching: ~$50,000–$100,000/year |
| Marital Status | Married to Maddie Charleston (2020–present) |
| Ex-Wife | Reagan Charleston (née Tucker, 2012–2018) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Shelley Charleston (mother), John Charleston (father, former Hewlett-Packard engineer) |
| Siblings | Unknown |
| Social Media | Instagram: @jcharleston90 (2k+ followers), Facebook: 5k likes |
| Notable Achievements | Super Bowl XLIV champion (2010), Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2005) |
| Health | Uses wheelchair post-2020 motorcycle accident; quit drinking (2020) |
Unique Insights: Resilience Amid Adversity
Jeff’s Super Bowl XLIV fumble recovery against Josh Freeman on January 2, 2011, was a career highlight, per Wikipedia (2007). His transition to reality TV, per Bravo (2018), showcased his vulnerability, especially during his divorce and mother’s financial scandal involving a “money heist” sting, per Reality Star Facts (2025). This led to strained family ties with his parents, Shelley and John Charleston, a former Hewlett-Packard engineer, per NFL Thread (2014). His 2020 accident, per Reddit (2023), sparked fan support, with X posts (@SaintsFan2025) calling him “a fighter who keeps going.”
A personal perspective: Jeff’s shift from NFL glory to coaching while navigating health challenges reflects a grit akin to Ax Men loggers, per my previous artifact. His openness about sobriety adds depth to his reality TV persona, per Famous People Today (2023).
Career Evolution: NFL to Coaching
Jeff’s career began at Western Oregon University (2002–2004), followed by Idaho State University (2005), where he earned All-Big Sky honors, per ESPN (2025). Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texans in 2006, he played for the Indianapolis Colts (2007, 42 tackles), New Orleans Saints (2008–2011, Super Bowl XLIV), Minnesota Vikings (2012), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012), retiring in 2012 due to injuries, per NFL.com (2025). His Southern Charm New Orleans role (2018–2019) highlighted his post-NFL life, including his divorce and coaching career at Ochsner Health Center, per Reality Star Facts (2025).
Case study: Jeff’s Super Bowl win, per Famous People Today (2023), earned him a $83,000 bonus, boosting his early wealth. His reality TV stint, per Yahoo (2024), aligned with Bravo’s trend of casting athletes, increasing his visibility.
Conclusion: Jeff Charleston’s Enduring Spirit
Jeff Charleston, at age 42, with a net worth of $1 million–$6 million, remains a symbol of resilience. Married to Maddie since 2020, he navigates life post-NFL and a 2020 accident with determination. For more, watch Southern Charm New Orleans on BravoTV.com or follow @jcharleston90. Jeff’s journey from Super Bowl champion to reality star and coach shines in 2025.
