Matthew “Matt” Roloff is a multifaceted American television personality, author, farmer, business entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. He is widely recognized for his starring role in the TLC reality television series, Little People, Big World, which chronicles the lives of the Roloff family and their experiences with dwarfism. Through the show, which premiered in 2005, viewers have gained insight into his life, his family, and his entrepreneurial endeavors, most notably the development of Roloff Farms.
Matthew Roloff Overview
| Full Name | Matthew James Roloff |
| Date of Birth | October 7, 1961 |
| Age | 63 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Family | Parents: Ron and Peggy Roloff; Siblings: Ruth, Sam, and the late Joshua |
| Height | 4 ft 0 in (122 cm) |
| Profession | Television Personality, Author, Farmer, Business Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker |
| Net Worth | Estimated $6 million (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Education of Matthew Roloff
Matthew James Roloff was born on October 7, 1961, in San Francisco, California, to Ron and Peggy Roloff, who are of average height. He was born with diastrophic dysplasia, a degenerative form of dwarfism that necessitated fifteen surgeries during his childhood. He grew up with an older sister, Ruth, who is of average height, and a younger brother, Sam, who also has diastrophic dysplasia and uses crutches. His middle brother, Joshua, was born with a severe heart malformation and passed away in 1999 at the age of 34.
Matthew Roloff’s Career
Early Career in Silicon Valley
In the late 1980s, Matt Roloff worked as a computer programmer for various companies in Silicon Valley, including Altos Computer Systems. He was successful in selling systems software to Fortune 500 companies. Seeking a change from the demanding work culture of Silicon Valley, a friend encouraged him to take a position with Sequent Computer Systems in Beaverton, Oregon. This led Matt and his then-wife Amy to relocate to the Portland area in 1990.
Roloff Farms
In 1990, the Roloffs purchased a 34-acre fixer-upper farmhouse in Helvetia, Oregon. Over the years, Matt transformed the property into Roloff Farms, a popular tourist attraction. The farm features a variety of unique installations, including a pumpkin patch, a pirate ship on a lake, a three-story treehouse, a full-size Medieval castle, a regulation soccer field, a volleyball court, and a mine shaft with tunnels. The farm, which expanded with the purchase of an adjacent 80-acre property in 2010, attracts approximately 30,000 visitors annually, especially during the pumpkin season.
Little People, Big World
The TLC reality show Little People, Big World premiered in August 2005, catapulting the Roloff family into the public eye. The series, of which Matt is an executive producer, documents the family’s daily life, offering a unique perspective on living with dwarfism. The show has been a long-running success, showcasing the family’s triumphs and challenges over more than two decades.
Author and Motivational Speaker
Matt Roloff is also a published author and an accomplished motivational speaker. He has written three books: Against Tall Odds: Being a David in a Goliath World (1999), Little Family, Big Values: Lessons in Love, Respect and Understanding for Families of Any Size (2007), and a children’s book titled Little Lucy, Big Race (2018). As a member of the National Speakers Association, he gives speeches on topics such as inclusion, overcoming adversity, and sales leadership, and has spoken at corporate events for companies like Tyson Foods and Walmart.
Matthew Roloff Personal Life & Family
Matt Roloff met Amy Knight, who also has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, at a Little People of America convention in 1987. They married on September 12, 1987. Together, they have four children: fraternal twins Jeremy and Zachary (born 1990), Molly (born 1993), and Jacob (born 1997). Their son Zachary also has achondroplasia, while their other three children are of average height.
After 27 years of marriage, Matt and Amy announced their separation in March 2014 and finalized their divorce in 2016. Amy has since remarried. Following his divorce, Matt began a relationship with Caryn Chandler, who was formerly the manager of Roloff Farms. The couple got engaged in April 2023 with plans for a 2024 wedding. However, in July 2025, Matt announced that he and Caryn had ended their engagement and parted ways.
Matt is a grandfather to seven grandchildren.
Awards and Achievements of Matthew Roloff
While specific awards for Matthew Roloff as an individual are not extensively documented, the show Little People, Big World has received recognition:
- In 2006, the show won a Media Access Award for Outstanding Achievement in Television Reality.
- In 2007, it received a Platinum Remi Award for Television – Documentary Program.
- The show was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2008 for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score).
- In 2017, it earned a Guinness World Record for the most episodes of a family-focused reality television show.
Matthew Roloff Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Matthew Roloff’s net worth is estimated to be around $6 million. His income is derived from multiple sources, including his role on Little People, Big World, the successful operation of Roloff Farms as a tourist destination, book sales, and fees from his motivational speaking engagements.
Legacy and Influence
Through his public platform, Matt Roloff has had a significant impact on raising awareness and promoting understanding of dwarfism. He is a dedicated advocate for individuals with dwarfism, having served as the president of Little People of America and co-founding the Coalition for Dwarf Advocacy. His work extends to humanitarian efforts, including traveling to Iraq to assist an Iraqi family with three children with dwarfism who needed medical attention. His company, Direct Access Solutions, provides accessibility products for little people to the hospitality industry.
Interesting Facts about Matthew Roloff
- He had a role as an Ewok in the 1985 Star Wars movie Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.
- He has appeared on numerous talk shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, and Good Morning America.
- Roloff Farms was initially a 34-acre property that the Roloffs purchased in 1990 and have since expanded.
- He has traveled to Iraq on multiple occasions to visit U.S. troops and to aid a family with children with dwarfism.
Controversies
Matt Roloff has faced some legal issues, including a 2003 DUI charge that was dismissed after he completed an alcohol diversion program. He was arrested for another DUI in 2007 but was acquitted of the charge.
His divorce from Amy Roloff and subsequent relationship with Caryn Chandler have been a subject of public interest and some controversy, with allegations of an affair, which Matt has denied. More recently, there have been family tensions regarding the sale of a portion of Roloff Farms, which has reportedly strained his relationship with some of his children.
Social Media Presence
Matt Roloff maintains an active presence on social media, where he shares updates about his life, family, and work with a large following. As of July 2025, his Instagram account has a significant number of followers who engage with his posts about Roloff Farms and his personal life.
Final Words about Matthew Roloff
Matthew Roloff’s life has been a public journey of overcoming challenges and achieving success in various fields. From his early days in Silicon Valley to becoming a household name through reality television, he has built a multifaceted career. As he navigates the future of Roloff Farms and his personal life, he continues to be a prominent figure, sharing his story and advocating for the little people community. His focus remains on his family and the legacy he has built through his farm and his influential television presence.