The Life and Career of Jody Yeh, Mother of Molly Yeh and Ex-Wife of John Bruce Yeh
Jody Yeh is more than just the mother of Molly Yeh, the famous chef and cookbook author, and ex-wife of John Bruce Yeh, a Grammy Award-winning clarinetist. She is a woman of many talents and passions, who has lived an adventurous and inspiring life. She is a licensed clinical social worker who helps children with special needs, a former chocolatier who made delicious treats, and a clarinetist who played music. She is also a traveler who explored different cultures and cuisines, a Jewish woman who embraced her heritage and faith, and a divorcee who overcame the challenges of a broken marriage. Jody Yeh is a fascinating person who has a lot to share with the world. In this article, we will learn more about her background, her career, her family, and her hobbies.
Wiki/Bio Facts
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Full name | Jody Yeh-Shinbrood |
Profession | Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Certified trauma management practitioner,(Previously Chocolatier and Clarinettist) |
Gender | Female |
Sexuality | Straight |
Date of birth | October 16, 1955 |
Age | 68 |
Zodiac sign | Libra |
Place of birth | United States of America |
Current residence | Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian (with Jewish and Hungarian ancestry) |
Religion | Jewish |
Height | 5’ 6″ (167.7 cm) |
Weight | Unknown |
Hair color | Dark brown |
Eye color | Brown |
Skin color | Fair |
Relationship status | Divorced Single |
Ex-husband | John Bruce Yeh |
Children | 2 (Molly Yeh and Jenna Yeh) |
Education | Institut Montesano, Gstaad, Switzerland |
Net worth | $300,000-$500,000 |
Childhood | Spent part of her childhood in New York City and then in Gurnee, Illinois |
University | Possibly attended a music school and pursued undergraduate and postgraduate education |
Social work | Works as a social worker for special needs children at the Laremont School |
Laremont School | Operates under the SEDOL Foundation, Lake County, IL |
SEDOL Foundation | Helps kids suffering from deafness, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, and more |
Chocolatier | Worked as a chocolatier for several years before switching to social work |
Clarinettist | Played the clarinet as a hobby and as a profession |
Influence on Molly | Influenced her daughter’s passion for cooking and music |
Blog | Appeared on her daughter’s cooking blog, My Name is Yeh |
TV show | Appeared on her daughter’s TV show, Girl Meets Farm |
Grandchildren | Has two grandchildren, Bernie and Ira Dorothy Yeh Hagen |
Son-in-law | Nick Hagen, a fifth-generation farmer |
Skiing | Learned skiing at Institut Montesano in Switzerland |
Traveling | Has traveled to many places, including Israel, Italy, France, and China |
Pets | Has a dog |
Social media | She has a private Instagram account with 106 followers |
Birthday | Celebrates her birthday on October 16 every year |
Favorite food | Unknown |
Favorite drink | Unknown |
Favorite color | Unknown |
Favorite movie | Unknown |
Favorite music | Listens to classical music, jazz, and pop |
Favorite book | Unknown |

Fun Facts About Jody Yeh’s Birthday
Some fun facts about Jody Yeh’s birthday are:
- Jody Yeh was born on October 16, 1955, which makes her a Libra in the zodiac sign. Libras are known for being diplomatic, balanced, and charming. They also love beauty, harmony, and peace.
- Jody Yeh shares her birthday with some famous people, such as Oscar Wilde, Angela Lansbury, John Mayer, and Naomi Osaka.
- Jody Yeh’s birthstone is opal, which symbolizes hope, innocence, and purity. Opals are also said to enhance creativity, imagination, and inspiration.
- Jody Yeh’s birth flower is marigold, which represents passion, creativity, and warmth. Marigolds are also associated with the sun and the element of fire.
Jody Yeh’s Childhood and Education
Jody Yeh was born in the United States of America. She grew up in a Hungarian Jewish family, with the maiden name of Shinbrood. She has not revealed much information about her parents or siblings to the public.
Jody spent part of her childhood in New York City, before moving to Gurnee, Illinois, where she attended a local high school. She then moved to Switzerland, where she enrolled at Institut Montesano and graduated in the class of 1971.
Jody also had a passion for music, especially playing the clarinet. She might have attended a music school after Montesano, but the details of her higher education are not known. She holds a master’s degree in social work, which she pursued later in her life.
Professional Career
Jody Yeh has had a remarkable journey of exploring different professions and passions. She began as a musician, playing the clarinet. She met her former husband, John Bruce Yeh, who shared her love for music and became a renowned clarinetist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Together, they performed in various concerts and events, delighting the audiences with their harmonious melodies.
Jody then switched gears and became a chocolatier. She learned the art of making chocolate from scratch. She also experimented with different flavors and shapes, creating unique treats.
Jody’s next career move was to become a social worker, a profession that allowed her to help others in need. She earned a master’s degree in social work and obtained a license to practice as a clinical social worker. She works with children with special needs at the Laremont School, a school that provides education and support for students with various disabilities. According to her LinkedIn, she has been working as a school social worker since August 2002. She also runs her own private practice, offering online therapy sessions for people who struggle with various issues, such as family conflicts, depression, parenting, stress, anxiety, and self-esteem.
Jody is also a certified trauma management practitioner, which means she has the knowledge and skills to assist clients who have experienced trauma, such as abuse, violence, or natural disasters.
Jody Yeh Husband & Children
Jody is not married or in a relationship now, but there was a time when she had a partner. She was married to John Bruce Yeh, a Grammy Award-winning clarinetist and a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1977. He is also the founder and director of the chamber ensemble Chicago Pro Musica.
Marriage to John Bruce Yeh
Jody and John met in the late 1970s or early 1980s when they were both pursuing their musical careers. They fell in love and got married in a private ceremony. The exact date and location of their wedding are unknown.
Children
Jody and John welcomed their first daughter, Jenna Yeh, in 1985. Jenna is also a chef who is popular for her cuisine made with the addition of wine. She is married and has a son. They had their second daughter, Molly Yeh, on May 22, 1989. Molly is a cookbook author, blogger, and host of the show Girl Meets Farm on Food Network. She is also a musician and a former Juilliard student. She is married to Nick Hagen, a farmer, and has two daughters, Bernadette and another one Ira Dorothy Yeh Hagen born in 2022.

Jody and John raised their daughters in Glenview, Illinois, where they exposed them to various cuisines and cultures. They also encouraged them to pursue their interests and passions. Jody was especially supportive of Molly’s decision to write a book and start a blog.
Moving On
Jody and John’s marriage began to deteriorate at some point, and they divorced. The exact reason for their divorce is also not revealed. Jody kept a low profile after her divorce and focused on her career as a social worker. She also maintained a close relationship with her daughters and helped them with their cooking endeavors. Jody has supported and encouraged Molly in pursuing her dreams and has often appeared on her show, Girl Meets Farm. Jody and Molly have a close and loving relationship, and they enjoy cooking and spending time together. Jody is currently a resident of Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States.
John, on the other hand, remarried Teresa Reilly, another clarinetist, and has a daughter, Mia, with her. He continues to perform and teach music in Chicago and around the world.
Jody Yeh’s Net Worth
Jody Yeh’s net worth and source of income are not publicly known, but they may be influenced by her various careers, her divorce from John Bruce Yeh, a renowned clarinetist, and her daughter’s success. Jody Yeh’s net worth maybe somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000, but this is just a rough estimate.