Los Angeles, CA – August 28, 2025
Former Bachelorette star Emily Maynard Johnson is set to become a grandmother at the young age of 39, after her eldest daughter, Ricki Hendrick, announced she is expecting her first child—a baby girl. The joyful news, shared by 20-year-old Ricki on Instagram Stories on August 26, has sparked excitement among Bachelor Nation fans, marking a new chapter for the reality TV alum’s already bustling family of eight. Ricki, who has been a fixture in her mother’s life since her birth in 2005, revealed the pregnancy with a mix of humor and heartfelt emotion, quoting a viral moment from Love Island USA while sharing sonogram images.
Ricki’s announcement began with a screenshot of her phone’s lock screen featuring a sonogram photo, captioned with a nod to Love Island USA Season 7 reunion star Huda Mustafa’s quip: “‘Netflix told me I’m not allowed to talk about it’ – Huda.” She followed it up with a video of the ultrasound, writing, “My heart is so full, yet my stomach is so empty because she hates all food. I’m convinced.” The lighthearted post highlighted the early challenges of pregnancy, including morning sickness, while confirming the baby’s gender as a girl. Fans quickly flooded social media with congratulations, praising Ricki’s maturity and the close bond she shares with her mother.
Emily, 39, has not yet publicly commented on the news, but her history of openness about family milestones suggests a heartfelt response is forthcoming. The former reality star, who shares Ricki with her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick—a NASCAR driver who tragically died in a 2004 plane crash—has often reflected on the profound impact her daughter has had on her life. Hendrick’s death occurred just weeks before Emily discovered she was pregnant at 19, and Ricki was born in June 2005 as a symbol of enduring love and resilience. Emily has credited Ricki with bringing light to her darkest days, once sharing on Instagram for her daughter’s 19th birthday: “My beautiful girl. I’ll always and forever have your back.”
This pregnancy comes as Emily navigates life with her five younger children—sons Jennings Tyler, 10, Gibson Kyle, 9, Gatlin Avery, 8, and Jones West, 3, plus daughter Magnolia Belle, 5—all shared with husband Tyler Johnson, whom she married in 2014 after a friends-to-lovers romance that began at their local church. The couple’s family has grown rapidly, with Emily welcoming Jones in 2022 and revealing at the time that he was born with Down syndrome, a diagnosis they embraced as a blessing. Emily’s journey from The Bachelor contestant in 2011—where she got engaged to Brad Womack, only for it to end—to leading The Bachelorette Season 8 in 2012 and getting engaged to Jef Holm (before their split) has been well-documented, but her post-reality TV life has centered on building a stable, faith-filled family.
Ricki, now a young adult who recently graduated high school and celebrated her 20th birthday, has grown up in the public eye alongside her mother’s fame. Emily has been candid about the challenges of blending her reality TV past with single motherhood early on, once expressing regret over involving Ricki in the shows: “I wish that I maybe would’ve taken a step back. Maybe sheltered her from that a little bit more.” Yet, their mother-daughter relationship remains a cornerstone, with Ricki often helping care for her younger siblings and sharing sweet family moments on social media.
The announcement has resonated deeply within Bachelor Nation, where Emily’s story of loss, love, and family has inspired many. On X, fans shared reactions like, “Emily Maynard becoming a grandma at 39? Time flies! So happy for Ricki and the whole family,” while others reflected on the full-circle moment from Emily’s early motherhood to grandparenthood. Ricki has not disclosed a due date, but her posts suggest the baby is due sometime in early 2026. As Emily steps into this new role, her fans eagerly await more updates on what promises to be another chapter of joy in the Maynard-Johnson household.