Craig Conover is an American television personality, attorney, and businessman. He is best known as a main cast member on the Bravo reality television series Southern Charm. Conover is also recognized for his entrepreneurial venture, a sewing and lifestyle brand called Sewing Down South, and for his appearances on other Bravo shows like Summer House and Winter House.
Craig Conover Overview
| Full Name | Craig Altman Conover |
| Date of Birth | February 9, 1989 |
| Age | 36 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Fenwick Island, Delaware, U.S. |
| Family | Craig Conover Sr. (father), Martha Foster Conover (mother), Christopher Conover (brother) |
| Height | 6′ 3″ |
| Profession | Television Personality, Attorney, Businessman, Entrepreneur |
| Net Worth | $1 million (as of 2025) |
Craig Conover Recent News
As of mid-2025, Craig Conover has been in the news regarding his personal life, particularly his breakup with fellow reality TV star Paige DeSorbo. In June 2025, Conover publicly showed a photo of an engagement ring he had purchased for DeSorbo, following her speculation on the Summer House reunion about whether the ring ever existed. The couple, who dated for three years, split in late 2024. Conover has since revealed he has started dating again. Professionally, he continues to expand his lifestyle brand, Sewing Down South, and his restaurant ventures.
Early Life and Education of Craig Conover
Craig Conover was born on February 9, 1989, in Fenwick Island, Delaware, to Craig Conover Sr., an entrepreneur, and Martha Conover, a teacher. He has a younger brother named Christopher. Growing up in a family of athletes, Conover himself played baseball with aspirations of playing in college, but an elbow injury ended this dream. His father was a lacrosse player, his mother a gymnast, and his brother a collegiate soccer player. Conover attended Selbyville Middle School and Indian River High School, where he won a national championship in a business competition. He has also spoken about being bullied as a child and dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety, finding solace in sewing, a skill he learned in a seventh-grade home economics class.
After high school, Conover moved to South Carolina for college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the College of Charleston in 2010. He then attended the Charleston School of Law, graduating in 2014. However, he did not receive his Juris Doctor degree upon graduation because he failed to submit a final thesis paper. This became a recurring topic during the early seasons of Southern Charm. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity during his college years.
Craig Conover’s Career
Television
Conover’s television career began in 2014 when he became a main cast member on the Bravo reality series Southern Charm, which chronicles the lives of several socialites in Charleston, South Carolina. He has been a central figure on the show since its premiere on March 3, 2014. His journey on the show has included his struggles with his legal career, his various relationships, and the launch of his business ventures. In addition to Southern Charm, Conover has appeared as a guest on Summer House and was a main cast member for the first two seasons of its spin-off, Winter House.
Law
After a delayed start, Conover passed the South Carolina Bar exam on April 17, 2017, and was officially sworn in on February 20, 2018. He later founded The Craig Conover Law Firm in Charleston in March 2021. Before establishing his own firm, he worked as a law clerk for a prominent Charleston firm but was let go. He has also dedicated time to philanthropic legal work, representing underprivileged children through the Guardian Ad Litem program.
Business Ventures
Conover has successfully translated his passion for sewing into a thriving business. In April 2019, he founded Sewing Down South, a sewing and lifestyle brand that sells pillows, home decor, and apparel. The company, which started after a collaboration with his Southern Charm co-star Patricia Altschul, quickly gained popularity. Sewing Down South partnered with HSN in June 2020 and opened its flagship store in Charleston in May 2021. The brand has since expanded its reach, partnering with HomeGoods and opening a second store in Nashville. As of early 2024, the company had fulfilled over 100,000 orders.
Beyond his sewing empire, Conover has ventured into the restaurant industry. He is a co-owner of Mesu, a Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant in Charleston that opened in 2019. He also partnered with his Southern Charm co-star Austen Kroll to open Carriage House in New York City in 2023 and another Charleston establishment called By the Way.
Craig Conover Personal Life & Family
Craig Conover’s personal life has been a central theme of his time on reality television. He was in a long-term relationship with his Southern Charm co-star Naomie Olindo from 2014 to September 2017. He later dated Natalie Hegnauer in 2020 and early 2021. His most recent high-profile relationship was with Paige DeSorbo, a star of Bravo’s Summer House. Their relationship began in October 2021 and ended in late 2024. The couple’s long-distance romance, with Conover in Charleston and DeSorbo in New York City, was a frequent topic on their respective shows. As of 2025, Conover has confirmed he is dating someone new.
Conover is close with his family, who reside in his home state of Delaware. His father is an entrepreneur, and his mother is a retired teacher. He has shared that his interest in business was influenced by his father. He also has a love for gardening and has undertaken significant renovations on his Charleston home.
Awards and Achievements of Craig Conover
While Conover has not received formal awards in the traditional sense, his achievements lie in his entrepreneurial success. His company, Sewing Down South, received an award for reaching 100,000 orders. He has also been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, receiving an award from the Special Olympics for being one of their top donors.
Craig Conover Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Craig Conover’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million. His income is derived from multiple sources. He reportedly earns $25,000 per episode of Southern Charm. A significant portion of his wealth comes from his successful business, Sewing Down South, which has been described as an eight-figure business. He also earns income from his restaurant investments and other ventures like his podcast, “Pillows and Beer,” co-hosted with Austen Kroll.
Legacy and Influence
Craig Conover has built a unique legacy by challenging traditional notions of masculinity through his passion for sewing. He has inspired many to pursue their own passions and side hustles, regardless of others’ opinions. His journey, from a law student struggling to find his path to a successful “Pillow Magnate,” has been well-documented and has resonated with a broad audience. He is also a keynote speaker, sharing his experiences on topics like leadership and overcoming challenges. His philanthropic work, including donations from Sewing Down South to various charities, also contributes to his positive public image.
Interesting Facts about Craig Conover
- He learned to sew and cook in a home economics class in seventh grade.
- He is an avid gardener.
- He won a national business competition in high school.
- He has stated his ambition is to become the “male Martha Stewart.”
- He co-authored a book titled “Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong with My Sewing?”
- He worked as a Guardian Ad Litem, a legal advocate for abused and neglected children.
Controversies
Throughout his time in the public eye, Craig Conover has been involved in some controversies. His initial struggles with finishing law school and passing the bar exam were a major storyline on Southern Charm and a point of contention with his castmates. More recently, some of his Southern Charm co-stars have expressed feeling intimidated by him, suggesting he can be domineering. There have also been discussions and speculation on social media about his political views, stemming from a “finsta” (fake Instagram) account and guest choices for his podcast. His breakup with Paige DeSorbo has also been a source of public back-and-forth, with both parties sharing differing perspectives on their relationship and its end.
Social Media Presence
As of early 2025, Craig Conover has a significant social media following. His Instagram account, @caconover, has over 852,000 followers.
Final Words about Craig Conover
As of 2025, Craig Conover continues to be a prominent figure on Bravo and a successful entrepreneur. He remains a key cast member of Southern Charm, with his personal and professional life continuing to be a central focus. His business, Sewing Down South, is expanding, and he is exploring new restaurant ventures. Having navigated public breakups and personal challenges, Conover has expressed a focus on self-care and personal growth. His future plans include continuing to build his brand and finding a balance between his public career and personal happiness.
