Moonshiner Mark Ramsey: Age, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, Wife, and Kids.

Whether you’re searching for Mark Ramsey’s age, curious about his birthday, or just wondering who his wife is, there’s no denying that Ramsey has become a household name through Discovery Channel’s hit series Moonshiners. A proud East Tennessean with deep Appalachian roots, Mark is more than just a television personality—he’s a craftsman, historian, and innovator in the world of traditional distilling.

Best known for his role alongside Digger Manes, Ramsey has spent years bringing authenticity to the screen while developing his own line of spirits with Sugarlands Distilling. From building stills for Popcorn Sutton to co-creating beloved flavors like Hazelnut Rum and Rye Apple Shine, his journey blends heritage with entrepreneurial grit.

In this biography, we cover everything from Mark Ramsey’s early life and family background to his rise on Moonshiners, legal distilling ventures, and public persona. Whether you’re here from a search for Mark Ramsey’s net worth, curious about his latest product launches, or interested in his ongoing television journey, this comprehensive profile has you covered.

Early Life and Background

Mark Wayne Ramsey was born on September 14, 1959, in East Tennessee, a region known for its deep Appalachian roots and longstanding association with traditional moonshining. Raised in the rural hills of the Smoky Mountains, Mark was surrounded by a culture where storytelling, craftsmanship, and the production of homemade spirits were integral parts of community life.

Mark Ramsey was born to Cookie Ramsey and D.C. Ramsey. His father, D.C. Ramsey, was born in 1940 in the Wolf Creek community and had a long career in law enforcement in Cocke County, Tennessee. He began as a constable, later became a deputy with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Department, and served with the Newport Police Department from 1974 to 1998. In 1998, he was elected Sheriff of Cocke County and held the office until his retirement in 2006. He passed away on April 10, 2025, shortly after his 85th birthday.

Following his marriage to Cookie, D.C. later married Wilma Dean Ramsey (September 17, 1944 – January 22, 2023), who remained his wife until her death. While the timeline of his divorce from Cookie Ramsey is not publicly documented, both Cookie and Wilma were part of the Ramsey family at different points in time.

Growing up in the woods of East Tennessee, Mark was introduced to a local moonshine expert at a young age and quickly absorbed the trade through hands-on experience. That he chose a path in traditional distilling—despite being raised in a law enforcement household—adds a layer of complexity to his story. It reflects the nuanced cultural legacy of East Tennessee, where reverence for tradition and respect for the law often coexisted in quiet tension.

From Still Builder to Screen Presence: Mark Ramsey, Popcorn Sutton, and the Origins of Moonshiners

Mark Ramsey’s evolution from a regional craftsman to a nationally recognized television figure began with his deep-rooted connections in the Appalachian distilling world. His technical skills—especially in designing and fabricating stills—led to a working relationship with legendary moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton. According to Discovery, Ramsey once served as the still builder for Sutton, contributing specialized distillation components that supported Sutton’s legendary operations.

Ramsey refers to Sutton as a friend, but their collaboration was significant within the moonshining community. On December 2, 2014, Mark and Digger posted a tribute on their joint Facebook page honoring Sutton’s legacy: “If we do nothing else, we have to give credit where it’s due… We are both grateful for your friendship, knowledge and true hillbilly wisdom you saw fit to pass on to us.” This heartfelt message underscored that their connection to Sutton was not only technical but also personal and deeply respectful.

This connection proved pivotal when Matthew Ostrom, co-founder of Magilla Entertainment, began developing a television concept around moonshining. While conducting early interviews, Ostrom learned about Ramsey’s relationship with Sutton and arranged to meet with him. As Mark later shared on the X5 podcast, he was the very first person Ostrom interviewed during the development phase—an early endorsement that helped set the tone for the series that became Moonshiners.

From Private Life to Public Persona: Ramsey and Manes on Moonshiners

Before fully committing to televised distilling, Mark Ramsey held a conventional day job, which he ultimately left in February 2020. His decision reflected a shift toward fully embracing his role as both a legal distiller and a public figure on Moonshiners.

Integral to Ramsey’s public presence is his decades-long friendship with Eric “Digger” Manes. The two have known each other for over 30 years, long before television fame, sharing a commitment to the values of old-school distillation. At the time Mark approached Digger about joining Moonshiners, Digger had taken a break from illicit distilling and was experimenting with home brewing. Initially reluctant, Digger only agreed to appear on the show because he believed it was nearing cancellation.

“I thought the show was done for,” he said. “I said, ‘If you want to do it, I’ll do it this last season because it’s about dead.’”

Mark joined Moonshiners in Season 3, with Digger following in Season 4. Their chemistry and shared authenticity helped rejuvenate the series, leading to a surge in ratings by Season 5. Often compared to an “old married couple,” their partnership is built on mutual respect and a shared vision. “We finish each other’s sentences,” Digger once noted. “We do love each other like brothers and we’re not going to do anything to hurt one another.”

Television Appearances and Spinoffs

Beyond his long-running role on Moonshiners (2013–2025, 179 episodes), Mark Ramsey has appeared in several related programs and specials, reflecting his growing visibility in the world of traditional distilling. His appearances include:

• Master Distiller (2019–2025, 76 episodes)
• Master Distiller: Tournament of Champions (2022, 4 episodes)
• Moonshiners: Shiners on Shine (2017–2018, 8 episodes)
• Expedition X (2021, 1 episode)
• Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund (2016, TV Special)

Expanding the Craft: Legal Distilling and Product Innovation

Even while honoring traditional moonshine practices, Mark Ramsey is also a forward-thinking distiller. According to Discovery, he has dedicated his life to preserving traditional moonshine while designing new still components to introduce modern brewing techniques. He and Digger continue to innovate, including constructing a new two-pot still to refine their processes.

In 2015, Mark and Digger partnered with East Tennessee’s Sugarlands Distilling Company. As part of Sugarlands’ Legends Series, they released two branded spirits: Digger Manes’ Rye Apple Shine and Mark & Digger’s Hazelnut Rum. They joined other Moonshiners cast members like Mark Rogers, Steven Tickle, and Jim Tom Hedrick in bringing their heritage-based spirits to legal markets.

In 2024, they introduced a third spirit—Mark & Digger’s Mountain Legacy Corn Whiskey, a bold 120-proof unaged whiskey made from Tennessee-grown corn.

Ramsey has emphasized that many recipes are collaborative creations rather than strictly inherited, and names the rye apple as a personal favorite. This, he explains, reflects the importance of technique as much as ingredients—something he and Digger refined together over time. Their goal remains to keep the tradition alive while making it accessible and sustainable for future generations.

Net Worth- How Rich is Mark Ramsey?

As of 2025, Mark Ramsey’s estimated net worth is believed to fall between $400,000 and $700,000. This estimate is based on his multi-season presence on Moonshiners, participation in spinoffs like Master Distiller, and public-facing distilling projects in partnership with Sugarlands Distilling Company. In addition to his share of product revenue, Ramsey earns income through public appearances, merchandising, and media engagements. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, his expanding role in legal distilling and consistent television presence indicate steady and sustainable financial growth.

Wife and Kids

Mark Ramsey is married to Sally Jane Clark. The couple celebrates their wedding anniversary on April 19, although the specific year of their marriage has not been publicly disclosed. They do not have any known biological children.

Sally Jane Clark is actively involved in both the business and public aspects of Mark Ramsey’s distilling career. She has made appearances on the reality television series Moonshiners, contributing to the show’s portrayal of legal craft distilling. In addition to her on-screen presence, she developed a branded product known as Sally Jane’s Apple Pie Shine, which forms part of their commercial moonshine offerings. Her role includes managing product promotion, participating in public events, and maintaining a visible presence on social media platforms.

As shared in a 2023 public post, the couple marks their anniversary each year with beach visits—a tradition rooted in Sally’s early childhood. In the post, she described how her mother introduced her to the ocean at the age of three, establishing a lifelong appreciation for coastal trips that she and Mark now continue as part of their annual celebrations.

The couple resides in Cocke County, Tennessee, where they actively participate in community events and maintain strong ties to Newport, where Mark’s family has long-standing roots.

Wiki Bio Facts Table

Field	Details
Full Name	Mark Wayne Ramsey
Known As	Mark Ramsey
Date of Birth	September 14, 1959
Age (as of 2025)	65 years old
Place of Birth	East Tennessee, USA
Nationality	American
Parents	Cookie Ramsey (mother), D.C. Ramsey (father)
Stepmother	Wilma Dean Ramsey
Spouse	Sally Jane Clark
Wedding Anniversary	April 19 (year not publicly disclosed)
Children	None known
Residence	Cocke County, Tennessee
Profession	Distiller, Television Personality
Known For	Moonshiners, Traditional Appalachian Moonshining
Years Active on TV	2013–present
Notable TV Shows	Moonshiners, Master Distiller, Expedition X
Legal Distillery Partner	Sugarlands Distilling Company
Popular Spirits	Rye Apple Shine, Hazelnut Rum, Mountain Legacy Corn Whiskey
Estimated Net Worth (2025)	$400,000 – $700,000