How Ree Drummond Became Known As The Pioneer Woman - Tasting Table

"Though Drummond had plans to head to Chicago to attend law school, Ladd Drummond, a multigenerational cattle rancher, had other ideas. The two married in 1996 and moved to his ranch in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Her friends started calling her "The Pioneer Woman" as a joke, but the moniker stuck."

"Her husband encouraged her to start writing a blog, and in 2006, Drummond began documenting her life on the ranch online. She posted her own recipes, lifestyle content, and lessons learned in an approachable, personal voice. In the early days, she referred to her husband as the Marlboro Man. Her stories resonated with audiences, and within five years, her blog was generating 23 million page views each month."

"Drummond's show "The Pioneer Woman" has run for nearly 15 years, making it one of the Food Network's longest-running programs. Drummond now also runs The Mercantile, a store and restaurant in Pawhuska, and her hometown has become a destination for foodie tourists."

Ree Drummond grew up in an affluent urban environment as the daughter of an orthopedic surgeon, far removed from ranch life. She met cowboy Ladd Drummond in Oklahoma and married him in 1996, moving to his cattle ranch in Pawhuska despite plans to attend law school in Chicago. Friends jokingly called her "The Pioneer Woman" as she adapted to ranch hardships, including hauling water during months without running water. Her husband encouraged her to start a blog in 2006, where she shared recipes and lifestyle content. The blog gained massive popularity, attracting 23 million monthly page views within five years. Food Network developed her into a television personality, and the Pioneer Woman brand expanded into cookbooks, magazines, homeware, and The Mercantile restaurant in Pawhuska, transforming her hometown into a tourist destination.

Read at Tasting Table