Tes Lee Biography: Swamp People Star’s Early Life, Husband, Kids & Net Worth

Tes Lee is a television personality, entrepreneur, and Florida-based python hunter best known for her role on the History Channel’s Swamp People: Serpent Invasion. Her journey, however, began far from the spotlight—tucked away in the woods of Tarpon Springs, Florida, where her childhood was a mix of mud-caked boots, backyard chickens, and the occasional encounter with a 9-foot python.

Tes’s early years weren’t scripted or styled—they were hands-on and deeply rooted in the rhythms of rural life. She learned to collect eggs, build and rebuild coops, and stay calm when things got wild—literally. One of her earliest entrepreneurial moments came when she and her father captured a python that attacked their small flock, sold it to a zoo, and used the money to start over. These weren’t just chores or isolated events—they were building blocks for the mindset she carries today.

As an adult, Tes brought that same approach into new spaces. She became a cast member on Swamp People: Serpent Invasion, launched the Tampa-based creative agency Sunny Collabs, and built a home life with her husband, Milos Talokonnikoff. Her television appearances and personal updates often echo the themes of her early life—resilience, initiative, and a deep connection to the land. This article offers a closer look at Tes’s path, from her upbringing to her evolving role as a public figure, creative leader, and parent.

Early Life and Family Background

Tes Lee was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida, a coastal town known for its wild landscapes and rich ecological diversity. As the oldest of four siblings—three girls and one boy—Tes grew up in a tight-knit family that lived deep in the woods just outside of town. Growing up in an off-the-grid, rural environment helped shape Tes Lee’s comfort with nature and hands-on challenges from an early age.

From a young age, Tes was immersed in a world where farm chores, animal care, and encounters with Florida’s wildlife were part of daily life. Her family kept chickens, and one of the most defining stories from her childhood involves a 9-foot python that invaded their chicken coop. With only three chickens to start, the snake wiped out nearly her entire flock. Rather than panic, Tes—just a young girl at the time—teamed up with her father to remove the snake. They sold it to a zoo for $250, a sum Tes immediately reinvested. She purchased more hens, built a more secure free-range coop, and began selling eggs at her local church for $1 per dozen. This early episode demonstrated her entrepreneurial instincts and resilience in the face of adversity.

Tes’s bond with her father became especially evident through these formative moments. In another incident, they worked together to retrieve an egg from a snake that had swallowed it—sliding it back out through the snake’s mouth.

Photos from this era—such as one where a serious-faced young Tes holds up a snake—visually reinforce the kind of upbringing she had. In a later caption, she humorously recalled that she had been “mean muggin’ since I can remember,” but the underlying message was clear: she grew up unafraid and unwavering.

Reflecting on their wooded home in Tarpon Springs, Tes once wrote, “It was our own little world where we were free to be who we wanted.” That freedom, combined with a life lived outdoors and close to the land, shaped not just her survival skills but also the unshakable grit and determination that would carry into her later career in python hunting and television.

Television Career: Swamp People – Serpent Invasion (Seasons 3–4)

Tes Lee is a cast member of the History Channel’s Swamp People: Serpent Invasion, a spin-off series that follows experienced hunters as they address the growing Burmese python population in the Florida Everglades. Throughout her two-season involvement, Tes was recognized for her consistent presence in the field, practical skills, and collaborative approach to python hunting.

Television Debut and Early Impact (Season 3)

Tes made her debut on Swamp People: Serpent Invasion in Season 3, Episode 1 (“New Blood”), which aired on January 5, 2023. Partnered with veteran hunter Bill Booth, Tes entered the show as a relative newcomer to TV but brought with her years of outdoor experience rooted in Florida’s wild terrain. Her calm demeanor, strategic hunting skills, and mutual respect with Booth gave their partnership credibility and traction from the outset.

Across the season, Tes featured in key episodes such as “Snakes, Rattles and Rolls,” where the duo explored a rumored government facility, and “The Snake Pit,” in which they tackled a rock quarry packed with python activity. In “Mad Woman Woods,” Tes ventured into post-wildfire zones, while “Viper Alley” highlighted her solo hunting abilities. Her final appearance in Season 3 came in “The Final Battle” (April 27, 2023), where she joined the team in targeting breeding females before the season’s end.

Season 4 Highlights and Independent Ventures

Returning for Season 4, which premiered on February 15, 2024, Tes formed a new partnership with Troy Landry, working alongside him in high-pressure hunts across volatile terrain. Episodes like “Monster Highway” and “Gator Gauntlet” demonstrated her ability to adapt to shifting environmental hazards, while “Path of Destruction” and “Scorched” placed her in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian’s impact.

One of her most notable moments came in “Backyard Blitz” (April 18, 2024), when Tes ventured deep into buggy, remote territory to hunt solo—reinforcing her growing reputation for resilience and independence in the Everglades. Her appearances throughout Season 4 helped reinforce her identity not just as a partner, but as a capable python tracker in her own right.

Absence in Season 5 and Personal Milestones

Season 5 of Swamp People: Serpent Invasion premiered on January 2, 2025, with Tes Lee absent from the cast. While there was no official announcement regarding her departure, it is notable that the series typically films several months in advance. During the likely filming period for Season 5 in mid to late 2024, Tes was in the later stages of pregnancy. On December 3, 2024, she gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Vivian Ida Talokonnikoff. Given the timeline, it is reasonable to infer that her absence was connected to this significant personal milestone.

Her departure from the series appears to have been a personal decision made during a transformative time in her life. While it remains unclear whether she will return in future seasons, Tes’s contributions across Seasons 3 and 4 continue to be recognized by both fans and fellow cast members.

Career Outside Television and Entrepreneurship

Tes Lee’s professional background includes work in creative direction, entrepreneurship, and service-based industries. She is the co-founder of Sunny Collabs, a Tampa-based creative agency that focuses on digital storytelling, influencer partnerships, and branding strategies. Launched with her business partner Kayla, the agency was developed to serve the local business community with an emphasis on authenticity and collaboration. Tes has described her leadership approach as hands-on, often choosing to lead alongside her team rather than manage from a distance.

Before entering television, Tes worked in modeling and promotional roles, including brand ambassador positions for live commercials and on-location shoots. She also took part in international campaigns involving luxury clients across destinations such as Germany and the South of France.

Her career began in the hospitality and service industry, where she spent over a decade handling roles in customer service, team operations, and sales. This foundation in people-focused work preceded her transition into creative and media-driven fields.

Personal Life: Marriage and Children

Tes Lee is married to Milos Talokonnikoff, a military veteran and outdoorsman whose background complements her own. Their relationship dates back to at least 2014, with public posts capturing their shared passion for boating, fishing tournaments, and travel across Florida’s coastal waters. They’ve been seen celebrating Halloween, enjoying getaways, and taking part in spearfishing events—moments that reflect their active and outdoors-oriented lifestyle.

They got engaged in April 2017 and were married on March 10, 2018, in an outdoor ceremony held in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Both Tes and Milos shared heartfelt posts commemorating the day, with Tes announcing she was “officially a Talokonnikoff” and Milos captioning their wedding image with, “We did… #happilyeverafter.” Their union reflected their deep bond and the shared values of commitment, community, and simplicity.

Over the years, the couple continued to mark personal milestones online, including heartfelt anniversary posts. In 2019, Tes celebrated their first anniversary, writing about her love and gratitude. By their sixth wedding anniversary in March 2024, she expressed how “the best is yet to come,” a sentiment echoed in a 2025 post celebrating “7 years married, a baby, 2 dogs, and a handful of chickens later.”

The couple welcomed their daughter, Vivian Ida Talokonnikoff, on December 3, 2024. Tes announced the birth with a candid post describing the intense experience of childbirth and her awe at meeting her daughter.

The family now resides in Florida, where they maintain a home life that includes their daughter, two dogs, and a modest flock of backyard chickens—an echo of Tes’s upbringing.

Net Worth

As of early 2025, Tes Lee’s estimated net worth is $1 million, based on her cumulative professional work across television, entrepreneurship, and creative media. Her two-season appearance on Swamp People: Serpent Invasion brought national exposure and stable income, while her co-founding role at Sunny Collabs marks a continued investment in branding and content strategy.

Through Sunny Collabs, Tes has been part of collaborative projects with major lifestyle and hospitality brands such as JW Marriott, Hilton, White Claw, DoorDash, Barry’s, and Hyde Park Village. These partnerships, along with her earlier modeling and promotional campaigns, contribute to a diversified portfolio that supports this estimate.