Timothy ‘Curly’ Leach Port Protection Wiki Bio: Age, Weight Loss, Net Worth, Wife?

Life in Port Protection, Alaska, isn’t for the faint of heart. This remote village, hidden deep within the forests of Prince of Wales Island, is home to fewer than 100 residents who survive without road access, grocery stores, or modern conveniences. Their lives were brought into the national spotlight through National Geographic’s Life Below Zero: Port Protection—a documentary series capturing the raw reality of living off the grid. Among its most enduring cast members is Timothy “Curly” Leach, born on May 29, 1965, in Washington State. Admired for his rugged independence and hands-on survival skills, Curly has become a fan favorite for his unwavering commitment to self-reliance and the land.

At 5’6″ and over 300 pounds, Curly is affectionately nicknamed “The Lumberjack.” As described by the show’s official page, he’s as “soft-hearted as he is burly,” and best known for his skills with a chainsaw—having logged for decades. Prior to settling in Port Protection, Curly worked as a timber puller for a logging outfit. It was during this period that he first visited the area and was struck by its beauty and isolation. Reflecting on that first trip, he recalled, “I first came out here, and I thought, someday I want to live here.” That thought eventually became reality.

Curly has now lived in Port Protection for over 21 years, as he states in a 2020 appearance during Season 3, Episode 1, titled “The Cost of Paradise.” His early days in the community were likely spent building his own home, harvesting his own resources, and getting to know the rhythms of the land and sea. A firm believer in hard work and freedom, Curly’s motto has long been, “Work hard, play hard, and drink lots of beer.”

His days are typically filled with chopping firewood, fishing, maintaining his homestead, and offering his wisdom to younger residents. In one of his early appearances—captured memorably in Season 1, Episode 3—Curly demonstrated his personal mission to keep the lone forestry road open for access to logging and hunting grounds, as beavers had built dams that threatened to flood and destroy this critical route. Curly’s determination was on full display as he set traps to protect the road, explaining that beavers were endangering not just his livelihood but the well-being of the entire community. His unique mix of practical knowledge and wit came through in lines like, “You pretty much gotta become a beaver,” showing both his deep understanding of the land and his characteristic dry humor. In 2023, he was featured working on improvements to his home, including a new patio, stairs, and hoist, with help from fellow residents like David Squibb and Sam. The community respects Curly not only for his experience and grit but also for his willingness to teach and help others.

After the devastating loss of his longtime dog, Jethro, whom he had raised for 14 years, Curly described the experience as life-shattering. “When I lost Jethro, it was like my world came to an end,” he said. “It’s just like losing one of your kids, damn near.” Despite the heartbreak, he chose to welcome a new puppy, Jethro Junior, and began training him for life in the Alaskan wilderness—an act that reflects Curly’s enduring resilience and capacity for emotional renewal.

Originally from Rochester, Washington, Curly attended Rochester High School and later moved north to live the life he had envisioned. His first trapping experience came as a young boy along Scatter Creek, where he would rush off the school bus to check his traps. As he puts it,

“I couldn’t get off that school bus fast enough… I was hooked. It got in my blood. Pretty soon, I was a full-blown trapper.”

His background includes commercial salmon trolling—as seen in a past Pacific Fishing magazine cover story—and decades of experience in fishing and logging. These skills still define his way of life in Port Protection.

Now 60 years old, Curly Leach remains a fixture of Port Protection’s tight-knit community. While he keeps much of his personal life private, his presence on the show continues to inspire those intrigued by the challenges—and freedoms—of living off the land in one of the most remote corners of Alaska. As Curly reminds us, “Living out here is a very, very tough life,” and it takes someone both hardworking and deeply dedicated to survive it.

After seven seasons, the show was said to be canceled in 2024, sparking concern among loyal fans. However, it returned for Season 8 in March 20253 with new episodes, many of which had been filmed earlier and held back. While it marked the final season, it offered viewers one last look at the lives of Curly and his fellow residents in Port Protection. Despite the show’s end, Curly’s story—and his dedication to living free and independently—continues to resonate with audiences who admired the show’s honest portrayal of frontier life.

Curly’s Wisdom & Wilderness Wit

Curly Leach is as sharp with a joke as he is with a trap. A few of his lines from early episodes reflect the rugged humor and realism he brings to Port Protection:

• “You gotta have a strong back and a weak mind to live out here.”
• “You pretty much gotta become a beaver.”
• “I don’t know how anybody could survive without mayo. Nothing worse than a dry sandwich.”

These small glimpses into Curly’s mindset show that while survival may be serious business, a sense of humor is part of the toolkit.

Weight Loss Journey

In recent years, viewers have noticed a visible change in Curly Leach’s physical appearance. While never one to focus on vanity, Curly has reportedly lost a significant amount of weight since earlier seasons of Life Below Zero: Port Protection. Whether intentional or a result of his active subsistence lifestyle, the change has been evident through fan observations and screenshots shared in online communities. Despite the speculation, Curly has not publicly addressed his weight loss directly—consistent with his overall approach to privacy and modest living. Regardless, his leaner frame reflects the physical demands of life in Port Protection, where every day involves hauling firewood, hiking, boating, and tending to survival tasks in an unforgiving climate.

Net Worth and Income

Curly Leach’s lifestyle in Port Protection is defined more by resourcefulness than material wealth, but his consistent presence on Life Below Zero: Port Protection over multiple seasons has provided him with modest income from television. Combined with decades of commercial fishing, logging work, and self-sustaining practices like hunting and trapping, Curly’s estimated net worth is believed to be in the range of $150,000 to $300,000. Much of his value, however, lies in his off-grid assets—such as his boat, tools, and land—which support his ability to live independently in one of Alaska’s most remote communities.

Public Misconceptions and Personal Life

Despite speculation on social media—including rumors that he moved away from Port Protection or was in a relationship with Mary Miller, Curly did not leave Port Protection. In 2024, he helped fellow cast member Mary Miller relocate to Craig, Alaska, but remained in Port Protection himself. Their departure episode sparked confusion, but longtime viewers and insiders clarified that Curly simply offered assistance, staying true to his helpful nature.

Additionally, Curly is not romantically involved with Mary Miller, as some fans had assumed. Curly has been in a long-term relationship with a woman named Ana, who does not appear on the show by choice. Their partnership has been well-known among the community for years.

In a 2016 Facebook post, Curly shared a photo of a red-haired woman. While multiple commenters complimented her appearance, Curly responded to one with, “Yes she is .. thank u.” Though the comment thread lacks direct context, fans have long speculated that the woman may be Ana—Curly’s long-time partner who remains out of the public eye. Posts like these offer a rare window into the warmth and companionship that quietly shape his off-grid life.

Curly Leach – Wiki Bio Facts

Full Name	Timothy “Curly” Leach
Date of Birth	May 29, 1965
Age (as of 2025)	60 years old
Birthplace	Washington, United States
Known For	Life Below Zero: Port Protection
Nickname	The Lumberjack
Height	5 ft 6 in
Former Occupation	Timber puller, commercial fisherman
Current Residence	Port Protection, Alaska
Years in Port Protection	Over 21 years
Relationship Status	In a relationship with Ana (private)
Notable Traits	Chainsaw skills, trapping, dry humor
Pet	Jethro Junior (after loss of Jethro)
Estimated Net Worth	$150,000 – $300,000
Notable Quote	“You pretty much gotta become a beaver.”