What happened to Shane and Kelli Ware Kilcher? Why did they leave Alaska The Last frontier?

Shane and Kelli Kilcher belong to the outdoors, and one glance at the couple’s Facebook page will reveal why. Born and raised in the countryside, Shane and Kelli rose to fame following their appearances in the reality TV series, Alaska: The Last Frontier. The series documents the exploits of the extended Kilcher family, descendants of Swiss immigrants and Alaskan pioneers, Yule and Ruth Kilcher, at their homestead 11 miles outside of Homer. The series has been going on since the 29th of December 2011 and is currently airing its eleventh season. 

Leaving the show?

Fans around the world were excited when Alaska The Last Frontier, was renewed for a ninth season. However, fans suffered a bit of shock when they found out that Shane and Kelli won’t be returning to the show. The down-to-earth couple was amongst the fan-favorites of the show. 

Why did they Leave?

The pair had been on Alaska The Last Frontier ever since its first season. Shane made his debut in season 1 episode eight entitled ” The river wild.” However, their contract ran out after the seventh season, and the pair were demoted as recurring cast members. Instead of regular appearances, the pair were limited to a few episodes in the season. 

Causing problems:

For Shane and Kelli Kitcher, the reality TV series was their main source of income. Their departure from the show proved to be financially exhausting for the pair. As a result, the pair had to push back from building their homestead. Addressing the problems faced by the couple, they wrote on Facebook,

“So, with no money for helpers and the change in our filming status this last summer, we decided not to push ourselves to do anything this summer.”

Where are they now?

Since they departed from the series, both Shane and Kelli have decided to lay low. The pair are enjoying their life away from the cameras and are spending more time with their family. Even if the pair are not regular cast members of the series, they do have some recurring appearances in some of the episodes. 

A bit on Shane and Kelli:

Shane and Kelli Kilcher have been together for more than 20 years. The pair met back in the late 1980s and tied the knot on June 20, 1992. The pair met during Shane’s senior year at Steller Secondary School. The pair got married and are now proud parents to four lovely children Keena Tarik Kilcher, Jareth Kilcher, Reid Kilcher, and Jenna Kilcher.

The pair are supportive of each other and are constantly encouraging each other. Even after marriage, Shane encouraged Kelly to continue her education. As a result, Kelly graduated with a degree in nursing from Maric College in 1999. Kelly has also worked at several hospitals including South Peninsula Hospital, Anchorage Pediatric group.

Shane and Kelli Kellicher in 2022:

The couple has 50 thousand followers on a Facebook page which goes by the name Shane and Kelli Kilcher. The pair regularly updates about their ongoing life in Alaska and it is filled with adventure surely. Shane and Kelli were building a new outhouse for months for the winter of 2022/2023. On October 24, 2022, Kelli who manages the pages updated that the pair were yet to complete the setup and for time being had to use their old one by the build site. Besides their adventure in Alaska and dealing with the cold winter, Shane and Kelli have more to share. They welcomed their granddaughter Anastasia Rosalie Kilcher on July 9, 2022. Anastasia is born to their daughter Jenna Kilcher and her partner Owen Fell.

Will Shane and Kelli Kilcher return to Alaska the Last Frontier in the future?

Alaska the Last Frontier season 11 premiered on October 9, 2022, and fans were welcomed with horror. Otto Kilcher suffered an accident and was taken to hospital after being mauled by an ox. With weakened health status and road to recovery, Eivin and August had to step up for the winter. Season 11 could be the last for young blood Etienne Kilcher who has left Homer, Alaska to pursue college in Sothern California. Before leaving Etienne went through the Homestead rite of passage in the Alaskan wilderness. As for Shane and Kelli Kilcher, they are yet to be given a green light for a new contract which means the pair are still in recurring status. It is unlikely to see more of the pair on Alaska The Last Frontier until the showrunner changes their mind.